Pants

[amb1995]

I couldn't really find anything about recommendations based on what pants. I'm going plate and base. But what are the advantages to poly wool over non, and what brands would be the "best" in your opinions? All input would be appreciated, not meaning to start any brand wars hear, just looking for options.

[aiber]

I wear GD and they are great quality. I also have a pair of DALCO which are good but not the same quality as the GDs.Can't comment on other brands.

[Big_Mac14]

Spend an extra $20 to $30 upfront and purchase the Poly Wools from Honigs!

They will last much longer, they won't fade, and they look professional!

[johnnyg08]

Get the poly wools.  They are the best.

[aiber]

I am sure the poly wools are the best but do you really want to take them to the dry cleaners all the time? Is it worth it?

[johnnyg08]

I am sure the poly wools are the best but do you really want to take them to the dry cleaners all the time? Is it worth it?

 

You really don't need to clean them as often as you might think. 

 

In fact I think the new ones actually have a machine wash on them now.  Maybe somebody who recently purchased them can chime in.

[blue23ll]

I have both Davis and the Honig's Poly Wools, I have ordered more Davis because I like them. My Poly's have had the hems fall out, so they have to go to the alteration lady, so I wear the GD's in the mean time. 

[Majordave]

I've had Honig's (Hardwick) brand PWs since 2008. Same ones. I also have Ump-Attire (Hardwick as well) adjustable waist PW's since 2011. I work 300 plus games a year. I dry clean all 4 pairs two to three times per college season and just wash in cold water and air dry with touch up by cool wool setting on iron about once a week. They still look great. Worth every penny. No other umpire pants even come close for look and durability. Spend the $$ once. They don't come in combo. I don't recommend that you ever wear conbos unless you are super skinny for plate pants or super large in the thighs for base pants. Otherwise they look bad. My opinion but many others feel this way. Also, what level of baseball do you ultimately hope and want to work? If rec (wreck) ball is all you want to work no problem you can anything as long as they are gray. If you want to work HS or college or serious men's league level ball spend the $$ and look like you belong there. Dress for the job you want. Not the job you have.

[bam]

My association mandates the Davis.

Easy. Relieves a lot of pants angst.

[gnhbua93]

My association mandates the Davis.

Easy. Relieves a lot of pants angst.

Your association or the state board?  At least your association receive the Gerry Davis Sports 10% group discount.  I'm still waiting for the bureaucracy in my board to send a roster to Gerry Davis Sports so we can get it too.

[umpstu]

I am sure the poly wools are the best but do you really want to take them to the dry cleaners all the time? Is it worth it?

I've yet to take them to a dry cleaner.  Wash them on cold and hang them to dry.  Iron them yourself.

[umpstu]

 

My association mandates the Davis.

Easy. Relieves a lot of pants angst.

Your association or the state board?  At least your association receive the Gerry Davis Sports 10% group discount.  I'm still waiting for the bureaucracy in my board to send a roster to Gerry Davis Sports so we can get it too.

 

Heck, Honig's will give you a 10% discount when you ask for it.

[amb1995]

Seems to me poly wool is the way to go (see what I did there) do any of you have experience with the new smitty "premium poly wools Jim offers?

[Thunderheads]

Seems to me poly wool is the way to go (see what I did there) do any of you have experience with the new smitty "premium poly wools Jim offers?

theres' no comparison ....stick w/ the Honig's Poly Wools ...

 

Also, ...Johnnyg08 is correct ......current tags on Poly Wools does say you can wash gentle, cold ....  and you can put them on light/low head dryer for 10-15 minutes, then hang .... they'll turn out fine!

[aiber]

Seems to me poly wool is the way to go (see what I did there) do any of you have experience with the new smitty "premium poly wools Jim offers?

theres' no comparison ....stick w/ the Honig's Poly Wools ...

 

Also, ...Johnnyg08 is correct ......current tags on Poly Wools does say you can wash gentle, cold ....  and you can put them on light/low head dryer for 10-15 minutes, then hang .... they'll turn out fine!

For me that is great news. As I said, what was holding me back was having to dry clean the pants.....If I am truly able to throw them in the washer/dryer then I will surely invest in them.

[amb1995]

What is the advantage to poly-wool over non? Edit: interested because if I understand correctly, Gerry Davis pants are not poly-wool.

[BillKen]

I know the polys look good, but if you want great looking pants with low maintenance, you can't go wrong with the GD pants.  Only problem is that they fade after about one full season and begin to have a purplish hue to them...in which case you can transition them to the rec ball rotation and get some new ones for HS/college season.  

 

If you elect to go with the PW's, just know that they will last and look great, but it will require you to maintain them with ironing and professional pressing throughout the season.

 

The Plate/Base way to go is the best.  Combo is for rookies.

[JasonPalo]

I have the GD and I love them I've washed them several times and have not had the fading problems

[HuskerUmp22]

I just purchased the base poly from honig's in 30. I may have to order the plate poly pants here soon before they stop carrying 30's. 

 

Earlier in the season I bought a 32 GD plate pants and they were huge on me, thus had to return. 

[Magic]

I have 2 pairs each of the Plate/base Poly Wools. I Dry Clean them 3-4 times a season. About every 3 weeks. I use a local cleaner that charges me $2.50/each. $10×4 =$40. That is less than 1 High School game fee, to make myself look professional on the field? Well worth the investment imho.

Games Worked Too Damn Many

[Mr Ump]

I have both Honig's Base/plate and GD Combo's. I only use the GD's if I have to layer up and the fashion police are not at the game. But for 99% of the college games and hs as well I wear the poly wools. I dry clean for $2.00 about 3-5 a year to maintain crease. I may wash in cold in between assignments if they get dusty before I get them to the cleaners. No problem.

 

The GD's are perfect for the cold weather. I also put these in the cleaners for the crisp crease and then laundry/hot iron. They will fade after 2 years so be wary.

 

Nothing looks better than the Poly Wools.

[kylejt]

You never regret buying the best.

[ricka56]

If you can afford it, having your umpire clothing tailor made is the way to go....fair ball

 post-2614-0-90948200-1430089557.j

Below is me and my wardrobe staff.

 post-2614-0-54637300-1430089603.j

Edited April 27, 2015 by ricka56
pics link broken

[bam]

My association mandates the Davis.

Easy. Relieves a lot of pants angst.

Your association or the state board?  At least your association receive the Gerry Davis Sports 10% group discount.  I'm still waiting for the bureaucracy in my board to send a roster to Gerry Davis Sports so we can get it too.

Eastern board requires the GD. state board requires them for tournaments, I think.

Our discount is 12%, I think.

[KenBAZ]

Where are you guys getting pants dry cleaned for $2? Love the Honigs' PWs but when I dry clean them it's about $12. I wash them at home most of the time.