Top Trending Umpire Gear & Apparel - Summer 2021
Jul 20th, 2021Never have we had so many products experience such significant increases in popularity in just one season. We identify 36 products, categorized in 6 umpire gear & apparel trends for summer 2021.
More games and more heat have umpires finding solutions for cooling, comfort, protection, & advanced storage & travel. 20% of the 36 trending items are designed by umpires.
COOLING
The heat wave across the country this summer has led to the largest share of those trending, headed by HeatShield Insoles, KoolBlues Chest Protector Cooling System & the UMPLIFE Ice Cap.
SUN SHADE
This summer, umpires have grabbed a record number of sunglasses & sun visors for masks. Most popular is the Tifosi brand.
ADDED Protection
Advanced and newer protection alternatives are a continuing trend, evidenced by the All-Star Cobalt Skull Cap, Force3 Defender Masks, and the G-Form Pro Wrist Guard popularity.
ShoeS: Name-Brand + Comfort
Comfort and name-brands - New Balance & Under Armour - are the trend in shoes for umpires. 
STORAGE & TRAVEL
With more games available, both local and far, the storage & travel category has surged this summer. Making the trending list is the V2 Wilson MLB Equipment Bag and separate storage items to put in it - especially the UMPLIFE Cap Carrier and Force3 XL/Plate Shoe Bags.
MADE BY UMPIRE SOLUTIONS
Unique solutions for umpires made by umpires have become mainstream as seen in multiple items from UMPLIFE plus Plate-Pro Shirt Stays.
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About the Author
President Jim Kirk
Jim is a leading expert, educator and author on umpire gear, safety & appearance. After playing baseball at Centre College, he worked as a high school umpire. He became involved in E-Commerce while working on an MBA in the early 2000s and bought Ump-Attire.com in 2006, He eventually led it to the leading umpire gear & attire retailer worldwide, a “Best Places to Work in Louisville” honor in 2020, 2021, 2024, and a National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) Preferred Vendor. He maintained a long-standing relationship with Minor League Baseball Umpire Development & Training Academy for 10 years. He serves as an adviser to UMPS CARE Charities, the charity of MLB umpires, served as a 2-term board of director from 2012-2018, and was named their 2015 Ambassador Award recipient. A supporter since the inception of the Wounded Warrior Umpire Academy, he was named to their Board of Directors in 2020.
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