Question Number: 20405

Other 10/30/2008

Fred Landau of Harrisburg, PS USA asks...

I know this is not the usual type of question; but, I'm looking for some help.

One of the teenage referees in our Chapter is now 6'5' tall and wears size 14 shoes. He is desperate to find a kit that fits. The biggest problem is socks. Footed socks cramp his toes and he wears them out in a match or two. He tried a pair of tube style socks and they looked like anklets.

Does anyone know of a source of referee uniforms for a very large referee?

Thanks for your help.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

I would go to a Mr Big and Tall clothing store and have their seamstress alter what it is he needs.. He might have to go to a custom tailor to design the socks to fit but he could have them made to quality and they could last a season instead of a match or two. I assume it is only the socks are the issue? I suspect extra long shorts and shirts are readily available in standard kit. I find the material though to irritate my nipples so I wear a cotton t-shirt under to prevent rubbing. I also change my socks at the half and in between games. Foot comfort is an essential key to effective refereeing particularily in multigame situations.
good luck
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Sator Sports has a "king" size sock that goes up to 13 and Official Sports has a "large" that I believe also goes to size 13. Law 5 has a size 10-13 also. You could have the young referee call these places. I'm sure there are many referees with feet this size that are somehow finding socks that fit. You should also tell him that the more expensive socks stretch quite a bit and the cheap ones do not.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Our Thanks to a compassionate fan for some help
20427 11/1/2008 Pending Close Delete
Melvin Hagerman a Soccer Fan from colorado springs Colorado U.S.A. regarding: Adult

RE: the referee that has problems finding socks (he's 6'5' and a teen): He could also try places online like Casual Male's or King Size's online sites--they have socks that go into size ranges of 12-17 or 13-17. Not sure if it is the TYPE of sock--i.e. needs athletic socks--that is the problem, but the COLOR is not a problem. It would alos help him find socks that don't squeeze your legs at all; the larger sizes 12-17 or 13-17 socks don't do that at all.
(I know--I am a size 13EEEE foot due to lower-leg swelling in both legs, so socks that don't squeeze the lower legs are not the easiest to find.)

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 20427