SPOTTED: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Wearing Team Canada Ultimate Jersey

Before Justin Trudeau became the Prime Minister of Canada, he was involved in ultimate frisbee. PM Trudeau was recently photographed wearing a Team Canada ultimate jersey that was given to him by Canada-based VC Ultimate back in 2015.

Here's a timeline of how this happened...
November 2015: VC Ultimate sends ultimate swag to PM Trudeau

February 2016: PM Trudeau thanks VC for ultimate swag

May 2017: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau jogs in Sicily after a G7 Summit.

June 2017: A GQ article uses a photograph of PM Trudeau wearing Team Canada ultimate jersey.

The VC Ultimate jersey worn by Canadian PM Trudeau was the official red jersey of Team Canada uniform from 2015. The short sleeve jersey is available in red, white and black for the price of $74.00 (CAD).

VC Team Canada jersey

BREAKING: D.C. Breeze To Wear Bro-Romper in Upcoming AUDL Game

The D.C. Breeze to wear this one-piece shirt-shorts RompHim - the male version of a Romper - for its Memorial Day weekend game against the New York Empire.

The Breeze button-up "bro-romper" features a convenient front pocket on the chest and deep pockets in the bottom portion of the striped one-piece. This uniform update by the D.C. AUDL franchise is more than fashion statement, it screams "start of summer" in the most fashionably sensible way.

Online public sales for the Breeze RoperHim have not been disclosed.

TBT: WICKID Ultimate Socks

Remember these socks for ultimate players from (now defunct company) WICKID Ultimate?

White sox (circa 2007/2008) with mesh panels and arch compression. "WICKID Ultimate" is on the back of the sock with a red ring (disc outline).

The underside has a sketchy grey-and-white logo of a "W" (maybe?) and the lowercase letters i.d. Honestly, it could be upside-down. Very little information can be found on the Google machine about this company or product.

I have no explanation as to how an 8-year pair of socks are still this clean.

Where is Unfair Advantage in Wear?

At last weekend's Chesapeake Open tournament, the heat index reportedly reached over 100-degrees. Trees, umbrellas, shade tents, and towels were a respite for players on the sidelines. Players were seen with hats and bandanas - on their head and around their neck - when chasing plastic during the game.

According to USA Ultimate Rules (11th edition): "Players may wear any soft clothing that does not endanger the safety of other players or provide unfair advantage."

Back in July 2016, Matt Rehder (Sockeye) was seen wearing what is was actually part of his uniform; presumably the shirt's sleeve. The shirt-sleeve-turned-neck-wrap seems to fit within the definition as "soft clothing" and would not be considered as "unfair advantage."

screengrab via USAU 2016 US Open Men's Final

A handful of ultimate players were seen wearing more cooling performance products at Chesapeake Open to help battle the heat wave in the D.C.-area.

Could there be an unfair advantage by wearing more engineered products (e.g. Freezer Zero neck gaiter/bandana) which claims to: "which reacts with sweat to lower the temperature of the material" or other similar "ice bandana" products?

This question of active-wear that could potentially give an unfair advantage was originally raised back in 2012. This goes beyond the wicking ability of ultimate jerseys and shorts. Accessories are being designed based on activity and with a direct purpose of helping the wearer regulate temperature. Use on the sidelines is totally acceptable, but wearing for example a cooling neck scarf while playing could be seen as advantageous.

1. Where do you draw the line in the temperature-regulating  performance wear? Undergarments and/or outerwear?

2. Who enforces whether an unfair advantage is being gained from what a player is wearing? Observers and/or players?

Recycled Ultimate Shorts

I don't comprehend how a plastic bottle becomes clothing material, but I do wish that some day someone figures out a way to create ultimate shorts from plastic Frisbees. Until that day, VC/Lookfly has a eco-friendly product for your torso.


Lookfly NewLife Short [VC Ultimate]

Info: NewLife isn't only designed for top performance. It's also made to be comfortable and designed to be silky smooth.

What makes NewLife even better is that it's eco-friendly. It's produced entirely from recycled plastic bottles. If you ever have to get rid of it...you can throw it in with your household recycling.

Price: £18.00

MLU Soccer-Style Scarves Now Available

The tradition of football (soccer) scarves is finding its way into Major League Ultimate. So far, four teams are selling a color-coordinated scarf.

Info: Ruffneck Scarves are available for the following teams: argyled Philadelphia Spinners (Get Dizzy); black with white Washington DC Current (Fear the Dojo), and green and blue tiled Seattle Rainmakers (Make it Rain).  Here's advice on how to wear &/or utilize the fan scarf.

Price: $17.99

NOTE: The scarf for Portland Stags is being sold for $11.99.

T-shirt Fundraiser for D.C. Club Ultimate Teams

For a limited-time, a T-shirt is for sale as a fundraiser for the three Washington, DC-based club ultimate teams competing at USA Ultimate National Championships. The shirt design is inspired by a SLUDGE image (that borrowed heavily from a pre-2014 Ambiguous Grey's logo) for a published post commemorating the achievements of local D.C. ultimate teams at Regionals of the 2015 Triple Crown Tour postseason.

Info: A limited-edition t-shirt to raise funds for D.C. club ultimate teams to go to Nationals. White shirt featuring the logos of Ambiguous Grey (Mixed), Truck Stop (Men), & Scandal (Women) in place of the 3 stars of the DC flag above 2 red bars of the flag.

Price: $19.89

Buy: DiscStore.com

Flaming Rainbow Unicorns

This comic strip 'Taste the Rainbow' by Megan Praz takes place at ultimate Frisbee tournament and revolves around the shorts of an ultimate team named the Flaming Rainbow Unicorns. While the team is fictional, the Five Ultimate rainbow shorts are very real.

Here's a snippet from the comic strip:

Screengrab from longer comic strip.

[h/t @gwenambler]

NFL Game by Five Ultimate

Tonight's NFL game matches up Dallas Cowboys versus Chicago Bears.

In an alternate universe where one could only speak in jersey labels, here's how Five Ultimate - known for its shirt tags - would express tonight's Thursday Night Football game:

Labels from two Five jerseys

Five Ultimate to Expand into Europe

Five Ultimate, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, USA, is expanding operations into Europe. Five plans to have a store based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and serve European customers.

[h/t Get Horizontal]

Now, how will "5" covert to metric standards??

Top 5 Pro Ultimate Team Halloween Costumes

Let professional Ultimate Frisbee teams inspire your Halloween costume.

1. L.A. Aviators

This costume has character, plus provides an opportunity to don a mustache. Feel free to add a bomber jacket to punctuate your costume.

SUPPLIES: Goggles, pilot aviator hat, scarf, mustache.

TIP: Bring along a battery-operated portable fan to create a wind effect so your scarf flaps in the current.

2. Nashville NightWatch

This costume is for those looking to dress up wearing a mask, yet still be able to enjoy breathing (or a drink).

SUPPLIES: Wide-brimmed black hat, mullet, goatee, eye mask.

TIP #1: Avoid being mistaken for Dread Pirate Roberts (Princess Bride), don't wear a puffy pirate shirt, or carry a sword.
TIP #2: Avoid being mistaken for The Undertaker (WWE), don't body slam anyone.

[UPDATE: Nashville upgraded from this identity, but the ghost of the original Nashville Nightwatch is still an option.]

3. Seattle Rainmakers

This is a truly minimalist costume. To stay in character, you must wear the hood over your eyes.

SUPPLIES: A rain jacket with a hood.

TIP: Bring a water spray bottle and occasionally squeeze some mist into the air like you just don't care.

4. Indianapolis AlleyCats

A cat outfit is kind of cliche for Halloween, so it will take some dedication to nail this one.

SUPPLIES: Only the head, tail & one paw of a cat costume, green contact lenses.

TIP: You're a American Wirehair breed alley cat, not a domesticated black cat.

5. San Jose Spiders

There can only be so many Spider-Man costumes. Geek out to reboot this spider costume.

SUPPLIES: Four black socks/stockings, black pants and shirt, labels of search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo!, etc).

TIP: You're to be an internet world wide web crawling bot, not a web-slinging superhero nor arachnid.

Sub Zero Ultimate Uniforms

Minneapolis Sub Zero's jerseys made a bold fashion statement with their new green and black striped tops at the beginning of 2014's Triple Crown Tour. The tops are, somehow, both distracting and trendy. Boston Ironside appears to have a similar jersey design but with more muted tones -- gray and black.

Sub Zero's green-black stripes resemble a pattern on striped bass. Sub may have started a trend around FaISHion designing around aquatic life; see: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Mike Trout who has namesake cleats.

Though, the tops really look like prison outfits.

Now at Club Nationals, Sub Zero does away with shorts and unveils sublimated compression capris. I REPEAT: NO BAGGY SHORTS! The tight uniform bottoms are similar to football pants, or 3/4 length yoga pants, or ballet bottoms.

Screengrabs via NGN

Sub Zero's black tights with white jerseys 

[Jersey photos via UltiPhotos]

Tribute for Injured DC Current Player

Bummer news from the D.C. Current camp about handler Alan Kolick's wrist injury. As of today, it was announced Kolick would undergo surgery on his (non-throwing) right wrist after an injury sustained while playing with Truck Stop during Chesapeake Invite this past weekend.

Knowing how players (& fans) enjoy tributes to fallen/injured players, here's a jump start on some ideas. Kolick (#99) is a fan of the headband and even the neckband (see below).

   

So, some ideas:

1. A wristband with Kolick's # worn by every player/fan on their right wrist.

2. First throw of the game by the Current to be thrown left-handed.

3. Players to write #99 on their cleats.

4. A head/neck-band with Kolick's # worn by every player/fan on their choice of either head &/or neck.

5. A T-shirt to be worn during warm-ups.

Washin-99-ton DC Current T-shirt

Ultimate T-shirt (1984)

Thirty years ago, this T-shirt promoted Ultimate.

Advertising of a t-shirt design "Ultimate a different world of sport."
The ad copy: "Yo! This is the Ultimate disc T-shirt. Rainbow color on white, goes great with a tan and jeans. 50/50 poly/cotton. S/M/L/XL $8.00 + handling"

[SOURCE: UPA 1984 Newsletter]

USA Ultimate Frisbee?

While it is common for newspaper and magazine articles to refer to the sport of Ultimate with the addition of Frisbee, it's a rare occurrence to see the word "Frisbee^TM" in/on material by USA Ultimate – the sport's governing body. Yet, here is USAU's online store selling an "Ultimate Frisbee" shirt.

USA Ultimate Youth Full Circle T-Shirt

Info: White pre-shrunk cotton youth T-shirt featuring the USA Ultimate logo encircled by "United States Ultimate Frisbee" text.

Price: $16.95

Screengrab of USAU online store

Shirt Foul Prevention Flowchart

Expanding upon the original white versus dark issue, a self-check guide to prevent "shirt fouls" while playing Ultimate.

Ask yourself: Is your shirt any color other than white?

[Inspired by Gwen Ambler]

Q&A with MLU Creative Director Matt Sewell

The 2014 season MLU team home jerseys were released last month. Besides learning the "official equipment" jersey label appears to be brown (yes!),  MLU's Creative Director Matt 'Skip' Sewell provides additional behind-the-scenes details on Major League Ultimate jerseys.

Photo of MLU jersey label [provided by MLU]

SLUDGE: Are the MLU jersey types "borrowed" from an existing PUMA sport uniform (i.e., soccer, fencing, cricket), or were they made specifically for Ultimate players?
Matt 'Skip' Sewell: To say that we "borrowed" these jerseys underplays the partnership we've creating with PUMA. Our relationship with them began in September of this year, and they're a company that puts jersey production in place over a year in advance. For the 2014 season, we'll be working with select models that reflect where we believe professional Ultimate is going: torso-hugging slimmer cuts, clean lines, and bold colors with accents.

The real exciting work will develop over this next year, as we will begin work with PUMA to build completely custom gear for the MLU. We're excited about releasing more details of this as they develop.

SLUDGE: Does this mean the "final" team jerseys will be different compared to the ones released in November 2013?
Sewell: The jerseys released in November were the final designs for 2014 home jerseys. Our away jerseys will be released in January 2014. As for designing more closely with PUMA, we will be doing so as the year progresses and leading up to 2015 season.

SLUDGE: How are the logos, numbers, & names applied to each player's jersey? (sewn, silk screened, sublimated, etc.)
Sewell: Save for a few instances where we wanted true metallic colors, the jersey logos will be satin-stitched nano-weave patches [see example]. That sounds like jargon (and it is), but what it means is a product on par with what is produced for other professional sports. Numbers and names are 2-color custom vinyl cuts. Both the numbers and the patches are produced in the US. Assembly is taking place in Seattle, Washington at the same shop that creates custom work for the Seahawks, Mariners, and Sounders.

Portland Stags home jersey [provided by MLU]

SLUDGE: Has anyone/any MLU player had the opportunity to wear the PUMA jersey?
Sewell: Adam Simon of the Seattle Rainmakers served as a model for production photos and has been the only player yet to wear all 16 jerseys. Other Rainmakers have helped to size and test other portions of the kits (shorts/warmups).

SLUDGE: Does the kit design include any other wearables (e.g., socks, cleats, etc.)?
Sewell: The kits will include shorts (obviously) and full warm-ups for each team. PUMA will be making its full catalog of cleats (as well as sports gear and lifestyle wear) available to our players at a significant discount. Just like the NBA/NFL/MLB we don't want to dictate footwear to our players, but we encourage supporting our sponsors.

SLUDGE: Who is responsible for the jersey design? Did PUMA have any voice in the design(s)??
Sewell: All designs were handled in house by our creative team. We took PUMA's brand into consideration when designing. As creative director for the MLU, I've been overseeing the work and helped usher these kits through production.

SLUDGE: Where are the PUMA jerseys made?
Sewell: The PUMA jerseys are manufactured in Georgia (the country).

SLUDGE: When will replica shorts be available for purchase?
Sewell: We will be releasing replica shorts for sale in the pre-season.

##  [Photos provided by MLU. Links inserted by SLUDGE.]

Ultimate Travel Tip

Be courteous and stow your sweaty ultimate threads for that long ride home after a tournament, or the gym, or tractice.


From the resourceful How To Do Everything podcast (Ep 110), how to properly stow your sweaty clothes. Basically, put your stinkiest clothes inside your least stinkiest clothes.

From Runner's World editor via the HDTE podcast:
"Think of your dirty workout clothes as a burrito. The tortilla would be the least stinky of your garments, which is usually the shirt of jacket. The filling is the nastiest stuff, which is usually the shorts or socks. Those all go in the middle of tortilla. And they all just get rolled up in the burrito."

(NOTE: Do not eat this burrito.)

Boston Walter White Caps

A METHodical merging of Breaking Bad's main character with the Boston Whitecaps alternative logo hats...Boston Walter White Caps!

MLU Short Shorts

The 2014 home jerseys for Major League Ultimate teams are different from 2013 unis in a few ways:
1. Puma, not Five Ultimate.
2. Tagged with "Produced exclusively for the professional athletes of Major League Ultimate"
3. Sleeves are short; not 3/4 length.

Considering the shortening of the sleeves on the jersey, it is only logical that the uniform shorts will be shortened, as well. So, here's a speculative preview of MLU short shorts: