Has Fech lost it?
I have both Fechheimer and Cliff Keen umpire pants. The CK pants appear to be of noticeably superior quality to the Fech's. They have a better waist band, better/stronger belt loops, and a stronger double clasp vs. the Fech's single clasp, and the fabric feels heavier.
I know Fechheimer was purchased by Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett's huge conglomerate), so I wonder if cost cutting is showing up in reduced quality? On a somewhat related note: does anyone know if the darker / charcoal gray used by (some) baseball umpires is less prone to fading? Quality umpire pants (even the Fech's I'm complaining about) last far longer than the heather gray lasts. I hate retiring pants in otherwise good condition because they have faded so badly. |
The quality of the Fecheimer is poor at best. I've found that the sizing is way off. I normally wear a 40 waist, and I had to order 44 for them to fit properly. And you're right, the weight of the fabric is much lighter than others. If it wasn't mandatory to wear them in ASA tournaments, I absolutely would be wearing something else.
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I do prefer the lighter fabric of Fechheimer's, but they could stand to loosen up the backside of the pants for more comfortable fit and movement. |
Fetch pants
:mad:I purchased 3 pairs of the heather pants 3 seasons ago. I have 4 - 5 other pairs to go with these, so it is not like they get worn every day. They are beginning to go PINK:eek:. I purchased the dark gray last year, Gerry Davis pants, and they show NO fading. The waist band is comfortable too. I like them and will continue to recommend them. I hope NFHS allows them next HS season.
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No, that's NOT what I mean... I mean behind the ball bag, belt, etc. ;) |
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I believe it is more the care of the pants than any other factor. I wash my pants in only detergent, no fabric softeners, cold wash and rinse. And only air dry, none of my pants have ever been in the dryer. BTW, I've never seen a pair of navy pants fade. :D |
fading pants
:rolleyes: I think my wife does put the pants in the dryer to get the wrinkles out, not totally dry, then hangs them by the bottoms to completely dry. This could be the problem The DAMN dryer! You think:confused:
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My point is that I don't suffer from pink-pants syndrome. |
grabed pants in the dark the other day (didn't want to wake the wife) for a friendly that night. The coached asked if ASA had gone pink. I told him no I was supporting breast cancer awareness.
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Nah... they just fade. I use a very mild detergent, wash in cold water, triple rinse in cold water. They just fade.
Besides, if the dye is all that touchy to ordinary laundry practices, it is their (the manufactuer's) fault. I say it is the heather gray color - it just does not stand up more than a couple of years to constant exposure to the sun. Most dress slacks don't have such constant exposure to the sun as part of the expected use. Neither do most other uniforms that Fech specializes in (USPS, e.g.). Umpire uniforms are in the sun when being worn for their expected use. Either the manufacturers don't use a sun tolerant dye (too expensive?), or heather gray is a inappropriate color choice for such use. Whatever, it fades. I was just wondering if the darker gray is more sun tolerant. |
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GD pants
The darker gray Gerry Davis pants are the bomb shnizzit! No fading, way comfortable, Keep the crease like no other and look ten times sharper than the pink heathers. Wake up and let us look sharp!:eek:
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