Black Pants - Again

[Frank in FL]

We are considering a switch to black pants.  Being in Florida we get the old "black is hot" issue, among others, from some veterans.  Now I consider myself a veteran but keep an open mind.  Personally I have gotten to the point I hate knickers.  Too many variations of white (yellow, gray,etc).  Too many variations of where they are bloused.  Some like them high, others low.  My personal hate with those damned socks.  Having to wear white undergarments and tucking shirt in them to hide the stripes showing thru.  I also don't believe they are any cooler than the black would be depending on the weight of the new black pants for warmer climates.  Being that black pants wouldn't be bloused, we would at least get some ventilation.  I'm getting some resistance from the "old" crowd but the younger guys and guys who do college are keeping an open mind.  I would also like our association to set the trend that we all know is coming.  These are the same guys who resisted mechanics changes over the years.  We'll see how it goes.

[azsteam]

In Arizona, there was an option to wear black pants last year.  The guys that chose that option say they will never go back to knickers again.  The Honigs pants where a little heavy but I have heard they will be coming out with a lighter version this year.  The Gerry Davis pants are lighter and have the adjusting track.

I could see in a few years where nobody will be wearing knickers.

[Welpe]

I have heard that Cliff Keen pants are lighter as well.  The traditionalists will resist but it will eventually happen.  I usually consider myself a traditionalist but I think this will be a good change.

[Etref]

I have heard that Cliff Keen pants are lighter as well.  The traditionalists will resist but it will eventually happen.  I usually consider myself a traditionalist but I think this will be a good change.

I am one of those "traditionalists" who resisted the idea. After wearing some last year during a playoff game they are in the bag to stay. I do want the lighter weight version for early in the season.

[blokenone]

There is also scientific data that prooves there is no different in your temperature between wearing black or white clothing.

Look at Middle Eastern countries - they happily wear black in the blistering heat

[bossman72]

There is also scientific data that prooves there is no different in your temperature between wearing black or white clothing.

Look at Middle Eastern countries - they happily wear black in the blistering heat

Really?

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00156.htm

[TampaSteve]

We are considering a switch to black pants.  Being in Florida we get the old "black is hot" issue, among others, from some veterans.  Now I consider myself a veteran but keep an open mind.  Personally I have gotten to the point I hate knickers.  Too many variations of white (yellow, gray,etc).  Too many variations of where they are bloused.  Some like them high, others low.  My personal hate with those damned socks.  Having to wear white undergarments and tucking shirt in them to hide the stripes showing thru.  I also don't believe they are any cooler than the black would be depending on the weight of the new black pants for warmer climates.  Being that black pants wouldn't be bloused, we would at least get some ventilation.  I'm getting some resistance from the "old" crowd but the younger guys and guys who do college are keeping an open mind.  I would also like our association to set the trend that we all know is coming.  These are the same guys who resisted mechanics changes over the years.  We'll see how it goes.

Quite frankly, Frank, if the black pants are as cool as knickers are (if knickers are cool for us) I have zero issues wearing pants.

In as far as knickers in general, the last time I saw folks wearing them on the street in normal attire was perhaps 1932.  Other sports officials wear 'normal' clothing (pants, shirts, remember when MLB wore blazers?), why can't football officials?

The WORST thing, in my opinion, is wearing shorts with the long striped socks.  Horrible.
Hey guys wearign striped socks with shorts: go to an NFL or NCAA scrimmage where the officials are wearing shirts. They're wearing short, white socks.

[AlUpstateNY]

FYI Steve, the 2010-11 NFHS Football Official's Manual defines, and specifies, what uniforms are supposed to be worn for NFHS contests. A change, for this edition, expanded the option of wearing shorts to include a choice of white, or black, (previously white shorts were the ONLY approved option).  If you read through the various descriptions, found on pages 7 and 8, you'll note the only described approved socks are (#3) one piece stockings wit a modified northwestern stripe...."

#8, which describes the type and color shorts that are an approved option, as authorized by, "By State Association adoption", so you might want to check with your State Association, who may have included a change in the socks to be worn authorizing "short, white socks" with their approval to wear shorts.

What the officials wear at either the NCAA and/or NFL levels are authorized by their respective governing organizations, rather than being responsive to personal popular fashion whims.  That is why what is worn at each level is considered a "uniform".

[Osric Pureheart]

Really?

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00156.htm

Really.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2006/aug/15/research.highereducation

Colour is not nearly as important as how loose your clothes are, so tight white knickers may well prove to be hotter to wear than loose black trousers of a similar weight;

[Mike L]

I would think the primary factor would be the thermal conductivity of the material from which the the article of clothing is made with color & reflectivity (retention of heat from outside sources) and fitting (possibly allowing body heat to escape easier) being somewhat secondary.

[TampaSteve]

FYI Steve, the 2010-11 NFHS Football Official's Manual defines, and specifies, what uniforms are supposed to be worn for NFHS contests. A change, for this edition, expanded the option of wearing shorts to include a choice of white, or black, (previously white shorts were the ONLY approved option).  If you read through the various descriptions, found on pages 7 and 8, you'll note the only described approved socks are (#3) one piece stockings wit a modified northwestern stripe...."

#8, which describes the type and color shorts that are an approved option, as authorized by, "By State Association adoption", so you might want to check with your State Association, who may have included a change in the socks to be worn authorizing "short, white socks" with their approval to wear shorts.

What the officials wear at either the NCAA and/or NFL levels are authorized by their respective governing organizations, rather than being responsive to personal popular fashion whims.  That is why what is worn at each level is considered a "uniform".

Al.  
Points understood.  FYI. In FL we have been allowed to wear black shorts and short socks as far as I can remember.
I suppose my intent earlier, perhaps it was poor, was that folks would inquire with their respective States to evaluate the "shorts with short socks option" as it's an option at higher levels.

[El Macman]

Al.  
Points understood.  FYI. In FL we have been allowed to wear black shorts and short socks as far as I can remember.
I suppose my intent earlier, perhaps it was poor, was that folks would inquire with their respective States to evaluate the "shorts with short socks option" as it's an option at higher levels.

I'm confused by this statement (in bold italics). Are you saying that shorts are worn in contests with contestant age levels above high school? I've never seen in it in NCAA, NFL or arena leagues. But I may have missed something.

I doubt that the NCAA or NFL would ever allow that (and, personally, would hope not). Just not a really dignified look, IMHO.

[TampaSteve]

I'm confused by this statement (in bold italics). Are you saying that shorts are worn in contests with contestant age levels above high school? I've never seen in it in NCAA, NFL or arena leagues. But I may have missed something.

I doubt that the NCAA or NFL would ever allow that (and, personally, would hope not). Just not a really dignified look, IMHO.

NCAA & NFL scrimmages: wearing shorts is an option for the crew as far as whether or not they are going to wear them..

[Tom.OH]

I was watching the WLWT (5 in Cincinnati) news this weekend and they showed highlites from the Cincinnati arena team, and the officials were wearing short sleeve shirts and black pants.

[Welpe]

I was watching the WLWT (5 in Cincinnati) news this weekend and they showed highlites from the Cincinnati arena team, and the officials were wearing short sleeve shirts and black pants.

That is the standard AFL uniform from what I've been told and have seen.

[El Macman]

NCAA & NFL scrimmages: wearing shorts is an option for the crew as far as whether or not they are going to wear them..

Ah, scrimmages. Yes, but not actual games. Let's make that disctinction.

[BP1911]

The word is that there is another light weight version of the black pants coming out in June 2011 that are more heat friendly.  The ones that were sold last year are for cold weather so you will probably pass out in the sun!  

[ABoselli]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2006/aug/15/research.highereducation

It was hot there in the Negev Desert at the bottom of the rift valley between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Elat. The volunteer stood in temperatures that ranged from a sultry 35C to a character-building 46C. Though he is now nameless, this was his day in the sun.

Those witty Brits.