Are you a referee looking for the most comfortable referee pants that the market has to offer?  Are you curious as to what is currently being offered in terms of styles and accessibility? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you have come to the right place. In this post, we’ll go over the best basketball referee pants. 

Imagine being the center of attention as a game’s referee and spending the whole game worried about your pants falling.  This doesn’t have to be your experience. You can now find basketball referee pants with belt loops, western cut pockets and come in a variety of designs. 

This list will include a variety of options as well as information on why you should invest in high-quality referee pants.  Keep reading for more details. 

If you want to get back to playing basketball, get our top pick for the best referee pants here.

Our Favorites for the Best Basketball Referee Pants

Smitty Men's Basketball Official Pants

If you are in the market for new referee pants, it is more than likely that you heard of the brand Smitty. Smitty provides low reasonably priced gear for not only basketball referees but an abundance of sports officials. This includes officials for sports like volleyball, lacrosse, football, and even wrestling.

What Makes them Unique:

• These pants are a favorite in the referee community for their breathability.  These Smitty pants also offer moisture-wicking technology to ensure you stay cool and dry.  
• The pants also provide wearers with style in the form of the front pleats and side slash pocket design. 
• These pants are lightweight and made with you in mind.  

Why Choose These Best Referee Pants:

• Several consumers found that the pants gave a professional look due to the additional front pleats. 
• These pants are lightweight and won’t give you any problems when running.

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Sansabelt Flat Front Western Pocket Referee Pants

Sansabelt basketball referee pants are another favorite when picking out a comfortable addition to your uniform.   They offer a variety of lengths ranging from 25 to 38 inches long. They have a comfortable design and excellent fit. 

What Makes them Unique:

• The Sansabelt basketball referee pants offer a design free of belt loops as well as an inner hook closure.  This further aims to keep the front of your pants nice and smooth. 
• Not only do these pants come with a moisture wicking design, but they are also wrinkle resistant. 

Why Choose These Best Referee Pants:

• Sanabelt provides referees with a durable design as they are reinforced with tight stitching. 
• Another measure that ensures the longevity of your new pants is the scotch guard protection and permanent press Sansabelt is offering. 

The Runner-Ups for the Best Basketball Referee Pants

Smitty Women's Basketball Official Pants

It’s important to remember that men aren’t the only ones who can be referees.  Women also need pants that fit, are functional, and still offer a high level of comfort.  The Smitty Women's Basketball Official Pants are an excellent option for all female referees.

What Makes them Unique:

• These pants are not only lightweight, similar to the male version; they also offer moisture-wicking technology. 
• The Smitty women's pants also have an athletic cut.  They feature eight percent spandex and 92% polyester. 
• The back-left pocket provides a button closure. 

Why Choose These Best Referee Pants:

• This design features slash style pockets and a flat front. 
• Many purchasers say they are better than they expected, comfortable, and are advertised perfectly. 

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The Value Picks for the Best Basketball Referee Pants

Adams Basketball Referee Pants

Another excellent find for referee pants is the Adams Basketball referee pants.  These pants are another affordable option, and these basketball referee pants can be found on amazon.  They are also made of a mixture of spandex and stretch twill.

What Makes them Unique:

• These are great for outdoor or indoor wear.  They offer moisture-wicking technology to keep your pants from sticking to your thighs or body. 
• With these pants, you won’t even have to worry about your waistband rolling down.  Adams provides consumers with the 2.5-inch-thick easy-grip waistband. 

Why Choose These Best Referee Pants:

• Sever purchasers can attest to the fantastic quality of these pants.  Referees generally find the comfortable and having a great fit. 

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Why You Should Invest in Quality Basketball Referee Pants

You owe it to yourself to invest in a good pair of referee pants.  During a basketball game, it is normal that you spend a significant amount of time running up and down the court, watching for the accuracy of the game. As the official umpire of the game, it is crucial that you not only look your best but feel your best as well.  Your pants should not be too tight, and you should be able to move freely and comfortably. 

FAQ on the Best Basketball Referee Pants

What Pants Do Referees Wear?

Referees are expected to wear black slacks that can be pleated or not.  Many companies have created basketball pants that often offer western cut pockets and, on some, a tapered fit.  They usually have a heavy-duty zipper and a variety of similar amenities. 

What’s the Importance of Wearing Proper Pants for Referees?

You want to ensure that you are always wearing pants that fit well in order to be able to perform the job of a referee adequately.  Imagine running down a basketball court to officiate a play and stumbling because your pants do not fit well. Even worse, imagine bending down to make a call and your pants ripping.  Wouldn’t that be embarrassing? Referees must have nearly as much stamina and athletic ability as the players on the court. If you are a referee, use the pants on this list to determine the ones that are best for you and provide the best fit?

What Materials Make for a Good Referee Pants?

Referee pants must be not only comfortable, but they must be durable and lightweight due to the nature of the position.  A suitable pant will be the perfect mixture of spandex and polyester. This allows them to have a certain amount of give while not giving the illusion that the referee is wearing stretch pants.  This will enable you to be agile and still look professional a well.  

Are there Standard Pants Required for NBA Referees?

NBA referees are all required to wear the same uniform.  The league provides this uniform. Though the NBA handbook does not explicitly outline the various parts of the referee’s outfit, which they offer, many fans have their conspiracies.  Some speculate that the NBA provides referees with the shirt, while they are expected to purchase their pants. One of their options includes Smitty’s referee pants.

How to Choose the Best Basketball Referee Pants for You

When choosing the best pair of referee pants, there are several characteristics you must keep in mind.  These items will significantly affect how you select your pants and how well they perform. Though we all have different body types and require different things, the ultimate goal is to have a pant that not only fits well but looks good.  To ensure you are choosing the best pants for you, you should pay attention to fit, durability, and functionality. 

Fit: Fit is one of the essential characteristics of great pants.  They should fit your body type and be personally flattering. If you are someone who prefers tapered referee pants or even pleated pants, these are qualities that you should look for when considering fit. 

Durability: It’s essential that you are not buying a new pair of pants every time you have a game.  Your pants should fit well and be durable. Durability means that your pants should be able to withstand not only multiple games, multiple washes, and the strenuous activity that comes with being a referee.  Your pants should not be ripping or falling apart after one wear or even one washing. It’s also essential to maintain the durability of your pants that you wash them according to their given care instructions. 

Functionality: Having functional pants is a top goal for referees.  When you are purchasing pants to be used during a basketball game, they must do everything you need them to.  Will you be able to sit, stand, or run freely? Do you need pockets for the storage of small objects like keys or phones?  These are essential questions to ask yourself when thinking about functionality.    

Not only should the pants fit the needs of the game, but they should also fit your responsibility.  As a referee, you will likely sweat a considerable amount. Having pants that are breathable and allow you to stay cool is another important factor to consider when thinking of functionality. 

Wrapping Things Up: The Best Basketball Referee Pants

Here’s a table of the best basketball referee pants we evaluated:

Basketball is said to be one of the hardest games to officiate. Therefore, it is important that you don’t spend your time worrying about your pants but rather making the right calls.  There are several options available to you when looking for the best pant options. However, we want to provide you with some of the most sought-after options for officiators. 

One great option for referee pants for men or women is the Smitty Premium 4-Way Stretch Pleated Front Officials Pants. They are both breathable, lightweight, and can help you control your sweat with the moisture-wicking functionality. 

Regardless of if you are looking for western cut pockets or a tapered fit, this list has information to offer a referee at any stage in their career.  You will not only find great pant options; you will find information about what referees like you are wearing in the NBA and tips for choosing the best pants for you. 

Because you read this article, you may also find our post on how to become a basketball referee guide helpful.

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