In 1991, Dan Stock and Bob Truax decided to create a functional pair of pants. The two owned a weightlifting gym and wanted to develop a pair of pants that could expand and stretch to accommodate the bulging muscles of the bodybuilders. The pants were tapered at the ankle, with the outer part of the leg being longer than the inner part. They have an elastic waistband to allow for greater flexibility and movement. The pants were originally created in a zebra print, but later began to be sold in almost any design imaginable. They called the pants Zubaz.
They caught on and Stock and Truax quickly found themselves in a need to mass produce them. They received orders from J. C. Penney and the National Football League and turned to the Minnesota Corrections Institute to have female inmates stitch them together. So many people bought the shorts that Stock and Truax eventually had to open new plants to keep up with demand as they broadened their product line to include caps, shirts, diapers and shorts and sold $100 million in 1991.
Since the line targeted male athletes and weightlifters, the pants with sports team logos were very popular. Regardless of the specific design, Zubaz are almost always bright, flashy, and often ostentatious. The word Zubaz came to mean “in your face†among sports fans and athletes.
Zubaz designed the uniforms of several Arena Football League teams in the early 1990's, including the Tampa Bay Storm and the now-defunct New Orleans Night. However, these designs were considered outlandish and were soon replaced.
The long pants were the most popular item in the product line. The pants are now regarded as a trend that has ended, and they are referred to as a “bad fad†by www.badfads.com. It is questionable as to whether Zubaz are still being produced, but they can still be bought on the Internet from websites such as Ebay. Despite the decline of its popularity, it is not uncommon to spot a rabid fan wearing Zubaz pants at a professional football game, usually baring the same colors of the team he/she is rooting for.
Because of the fabric used and the cut of the pants, it has been cited that they are akin to "a crockpot for your pork." The main reason behind this is that they do not breathe like today's common exercise attire, therefore they capture a large amount of heat and sweat.
Zubaz's slogan was "Dare to be Different."
Where Zubaz Pants originated. The capital, Bosizbad, has a population of 12,256.
I don't believe In Zubaz. I just believe in me.
