We wore them Friday in a very sloppy field. By the end of the game, we were working in only mud. This was homecoming too and the school thought it was a good idea to play a Power Puff game before the Sophomore and Varsity games on the same day. I loved these pants and they were easy to clean than my white knickers would have been if I had them on during this game. They were also very warm and they did not get soaked.

Peace

High school umpires in WI have their choice of navy or light blue (which we now interpret as ML polo blue). They threaten playoff assignments if you're caught wearing black. Although they slipped in the WIAA Bulletin and mentioned black jackets, so we've gone to wearing black jackets, black plate coats, and light blue shirts.

I didn't like them at all several years ago when the NFL guys started wearing them, but slowly warmed up a little to them. Then, 3 weeks ago, I became solidly in favor of them and hope we allow them next year, when a rain shower covered almost an entire game I worked and I got soaked like I've never been before. I was very envious of the coaches who had on some gore-tex rain suits!

Like JRutledge, I was first able to wear mine this weekend in the rain. I loved look, the feel, and was happy with the water repellent nature of the material. After being in the rain for 3+ hours the compression pants I was wearing underneath didn't have a hint of moisture on them. I wish I could wear them every week.

I definitely support the use of black pants, but with caveats:

1) There should be a designated uniform pant (black pant, 1" white stripe running the length, back and front pockets or no pockets, open or closed hem, etc.)

2) There should be clear and detailed specifications for when these pants are to be used (temperatures must be X degrees or lower, weather conditions are heavy rain/snow, etc.)

Agree with 1 disagree with 2. The pants should be legal in any weather. They are much more comfortable than knickers for us husky guys. This is especially true if you wear braces on your leg.

Skiers were smart enough to get rid of knickers when a superior product was introduced and so should football officials. Let them go the way of the Dodo bird.

We gave ours a run during a few youth games in cold and lousy weather on Saturday. Wind chill in the low 20's and snow/sleet/rain mix. Awesome. They are much better looking when speckled with mud and base layers can be worn underneath much easier with a far more appealing look, in my mind.

I agree with Ice Gator on the previous post, as well.

I am not sure what you mean by this one.

Who is going to determine the temperature factor? And would it matter weather the rain happen before game time or at game time?

I guess I have no problem if there are guidelines, but at the high school level I would think it would be hard to regulate such strict guidelines. At the NFL level or college level would be more realistic. I am currently glad we do not have all those guidelines. All we were told is to have them for cold and bad weather. Nothing as strict as you are suggesting. That might change I am sure.

Peace

If we were allowed to wear them for HS, we'd wear them as much as possible. I actually wonder if we'd EVER wear the knickers again unless we were given guidelines for wearing the pants.

I agree totally. I think you'll still see the knickers in early season games where the pants may be too warm, and I know of very few crews that will wear shorts for varsity games.

Mine were so nice to have on Saturday that I'm tempted to wear them again for a Thursday freshman game if it stays this cool out. We'll still be fronting the knickers for Friday night's game which will be a mud fest on the lousiest field in southern WI (Horicon). Which leads me to another "fashion" question. I haven't noticed, but are the majority of black pants wearers using white socks or black socks with their pants...?

Gerry Davis website says something about the fact they recommend wearing black socks with the foul-weather pants.

As a crew, we're going to wear black. I'm interested in what others have to say.

Well that is the standard when we work basketball. We have not been given a specific guideline what to do in our state, but our crew talked about this very thing this past weekend. I think the black socks look better if your socks can be seen. I wore the white socks the last couple of times because I did not simply think to bring black socks for football games even though I have plenty in my closet.

Peace

Rut,

What brand do you have?



I was against black pants when they first came out. Some of our association guys got them last year and they had no belt loop and were a pain to keep up.

I have changed my thinking now that they have a stripe on them in that they look like a uniform now instead of flag football gear. I've never seen anyone look good in them without the stripe.

I'd consider them for next year although I wish there were specs for them: belt loops, pockets, stripe width, etc.

What brands do you think make the best black pants now?

You can't wear white socks. You have black pants with black shoes. White socks to not work with that outfit.

We have the Honigs brand. We felt those were the best quality and looked the best. And they feel great from keeping cold off of you.

I did not know they even sold these pants last year. I did not see them, but then again the only two places that I would buy them from did not sell them, so that might be the issue. And these pants were made for football officiating, not pants that we got from the sports gear rack.

Peace