As long as we're not on the subject of socks, let's talk about ... pants. I need some new long ones and I haven't bought any in a long time. Are there any that you're particularly partial to for cold weather games? Easy to get in and out of over shoes if you decide to change it up between games? Wind resistant? Water resistant? Stripes or no stripes? And we can expand this discussion to other cold and inclement weather gear if you like, but ... no socks.
I do have cold gear underarmour compression leggings and ibex wool baselayer that I will wear on cold days... my favorite on cool days are some nike hyperwarm compression shorts that are great for keeping my groin and hamstrings warm and loose... as for pull off warmups with zipper legs, I just retired my adidas track suit. They aren’t particularly comfortable and the fabric is uninteresting poly. (Plus there are enough hipster kids wearing them in a retro/ironic way that I feel silly wearing them ) I’ve picked up some nike joggers which have the zipper leg- they are thin but very comfy and if I wear them as warmups I could still put my shorts over them and wear them as leggings if necessary.
I know that this isn't about socks, but when I have to ref on stupid cold and wet days, I have a set of thermal runners' socks. They're ankle socks but double-lined and really help to keep my toes warm on those wet miserable days. In terms of leggings, I've got a couple of pairs of runners' tights (plain) that I can wear in a pinch. As a fourth, I prefer wearing track pants that match the uniforms being worn that day (if possible), but being a Canadian, will happily run with bare legs. Ha.
As AR in early season lopsided HS games, I sometimes find myself standing immobile at the halfway line for one 40-minute half or the other. I might as well be a fourth.
I had one of those in the fall. I think I shared the story in the best stories thread... about how my watch asked me if I was done my workout.
I sometimes think the coldest I've ever been was one of those games, 20's with a 15 mph wind, working with a gung ho center who insisted we wear shorts.
At least it wasn’t a joke about Jefferson Starship. Yes you’re all old! I have some under Armour base layer I use under my shorts. I wear everything under Armour though.
You shouldn’t have to put up with that. It’s a job, we’re allowed to wear hats now because we’re outside and we need protection, why not pants when it’s cold. If he wants to do the game solo that’s up to him but we should be allowed pants I don’t know of any other job where that would be ok to force and employee to be super uncomfortable when there’s a simple solution.
It's not just about being uncomfortable, you are putting your health at risk for a soccer game. Channel your inner Nancy Reagan and just say no.
I figure if the kids are running around in shorts and socks, I should be running around in shorts and socks, but I wouldn’t begrudge anyone the option to wear pants. Plus, for me, my legs aren’t usually the issue. On cold days, I wear an under armor cold gear shirt and a wind shirt under my ref shirt to stay warm.
I would hope with temps in the 20s and a 15mph wind the kids are wearing extra gear too, that is if the game is played at all. Then again a couple years ago I had the whistle for a HSV girls game played in a steady rain with temps in the upper 30's IIRC, on a field that was nearly 100% mud. I was surprised by the number of players wearing just the standard jersey and shorts. I was glad I wore all my cold weather gear that night because I didn't run much that game.
I don't ever wear pants or tights for soccer - though there's always tomorrow - but for running on cold days, I use Under Armour ColdGear compression tights, and would 100% recommend them. I also _love_ the Lululemon Surge Jogger - it's an athletic training pant that looks sleek and not too soccer-y.