Rock Bottom

How does the original black color hold up? Will it need powder coating quickly like the steel silver? (Not sure how the new matte black steel hold up.)

I've used the UnCap for about 175 plate games over the last two years, and I really like it a lot - I think it's especially good for forhead protection. I did have a strange play this Monday where a ball hit me on top of the head, and that actually hurt. I'm still using it and like it, but I'm going to give the Cobalt skully a try. Unlike Mr. Ump's experience, I didn't need to change my hat sizes (maybe just had to stretch them by hand a bit) to include the UnCap, and I'm able to remove my mask one-handed with the mask staying in place. I think Mr. Ump has the Umplife harness though (please correct me if I'm wrong Mr. Ump) and I think that might be a little "stickier" than a traditional harness, although again, I might be wrong about that.

What's the FM5000?! Is that a Maxism for the FM4000 Mag? Lol

Does anyone know what he is charging for the hydro dip? And how durable is the dip job to fouls, etc., as compared to a powder-coat?

@JimKirk If you are between sizes on the Cobalt skully is it better to go up or down a size? Thanks!

Did the FM4000 mag NEED powdercoating, or did you just WANT a new color? I'm hoping the magnesium color is solid throughout, and won't need powdercoating like the steel versions do. And I agree - that gunmetal looks awesome.

I'm thinking something flexible like I've seen on thin running hats.

Wow! What a find! Like that, but we'd want it to crumple easily. (Side note, shots like that are why I think all pitchers should wear the UnCap. My sons are grown, but if they were playing they wouldn't pitch without them.)

Funny you brought this up @JimKirk, I was thinking about this earlier this week. Someone should make a hat with a crumple-zone brim!

I know I can't get an official legal answer here, but generally, does anyone know if sunglasses are an allowed deduction as a business expense for umps?

I'd add the FM4000 steel to that list as well. I wear a 4 stitch with it and even that doesn't leave much room for pad compression.

Not sure if it's because of the harness, but I use a traditional All-Star harness and can do it one-handed with the regular "up and out."

For those who want protection but still want the traditional look, you can use the UnCap with all your regular caps (I didn't even need to change my hat size). I'm not sure how this compares to the Cobalt cap protection-wise, but I've used it for about 200 plates the last two years and love it. https://www.ump-attire.com/Baseball-Umpire-Equipment/Featured/New/UE-UNCAP_Unequal-Uncap-Protective-FlexShell

I'm in the same boat - except mine has been used about maybe 10 times. That being said, I love the CPU4000 (S7) - while the Cobalt CPU5000 looks great, I'm very happy with the 4000, and the video didn't seem to show a clear cut win over the 4000. For those who have now had both and can compare, maybe you can comment. The Cobalt definitely looks roomier in the neck, is more streamline, and the padding looks like it might be a little better (although I love the 4000 padding), but the plating on the 4000 looks more protective to me (again, I have to stress, I'm just guessing based on the video).

Thanks all!

NFHS rules. I know that the common myth that pitchers can't wear sunglasses is NOT true. But I often read on this board that some umps will make them remove sunglasses if they are mirrored/reflective. However, what rule specifies that should be done? 1-4-2 says, in part, that "a pitcher shall not wear any item on his hands, wrists or arms which may be distracting to the batter." Interestingly, they would seem to imply that wearing distracting items elsewhere is allowed - why else would the rules specify specific body parts in 1-4-2? So, for those who say we can make a pitcher take off mirrored sunglasses, if a coach asks what rule we are basing that on, what's the answer? The only section I can find is possibly 10-2-3g which says the UIC can "make final decision on points not covered by the rules," but that seems like a cop-out and opens up the argument for the ump who wants to ban all sunglasses. I did search this at length, but I couldn't find supporting rules for those who acknowledge sunglasses are allowed, while at the same time forbidding reflective (at least forbidden them when deemed distracting). Thanks!

Umped 91 games from June 27 through today (8/16). Trying to squeeze in as many as I can - hope to get a lot of fall ball in! The weather has been great, as far as only two days of rain outs.

The neck area just makes it for me. I took it with the Schutt/Adams XV-HDX. I'm going to re-do the placement of the hard plates on that to move them up about an inch higher - hopefully that will help. I've used it for two years and have been very happy, but I have taken other shots that have hurt more than I like, so I wanted to try out other protectors, and with the CPU4000 getting great reviews plus the great deal at UA right now, I couldn't pass it up. Just so we are clear, I'm not knocking the Adams at all.

After taking a really bad shot to the collarbone last week I decided to upgrade to the All-Star CPU4000, and I wore it for the first time tonight - WOW! Seemed to be VERY protective, although I didn't take any hits - so what really impressed me so far was how well it fit/hangs on the shoulders, without having to have the harness tight at all. Very comfortable, and a great deal at Ump-Attire. https://www.ump-attire.com/Baseball-Umpire-Equipment/Gear-Footwear/Chest-Protectors/CPU4000_All-Star-System-Seven-Umpire-Chest-Protector Worst case I end up buying the new model when it comes out, but I'm really happy to have this one too, although based only on pics (which can definitely be misleading) this just seems more solid. (Although, as someone put it, I did have a somewhat Herman Munster-like look - hopefully that will lessen as the CPU4000 molds to my body.)

I know you just got it, but do you think the new black FM4K will keep it's paint job and not need powdercoating in a year? It's such a great deal if the color holds!!!

Interestingly, I think this is being worn in the by Seattle catcher, but with an All-Star logo! (Which is great because I like AS better than Under Armour.) Compare this pic (sorry the quality is not great) to the pic on Ump Attire. https://www.ump-attire.com/Baseball-Umpire-Equipment/Gear-Footwear/Masks/UAFM2-WP-BK_Under-Armour-Silver-Umpire-Mask-with-Black-Windpact

Based on the pics it looks like they sort of snap in place. See the second pic where the mask is lying flat: https://www.ump-attire.com/Baseball-Umpire-Equipment/Gear-Footwear/Masks/UAFM2-WP-BK_Under-Armour-Silver-Umpire-Mask-with-Black-Windpact

Anyone have any first hand experience with the Under Armour Windpact (Air Bags) mask/pad combo? I'm really intrigued by it, but it's a pretty expensive mask just to try out (especially when I have to FM4000 steels that are fine). I know those pads don't appear to be interchangeable into other masks, but maybe the whole set-up is an option to consider.

I like the All-Star LUC pads, but I've never taken a BIG shot in them, plus that's all I've used, so I can't really say how good they are. I know many others on here give them great reviews.

I normally don't wear 11.0 in 4E (usually 10.5 in D in my standard NB cross trainers) but that's what I ended up with in the New Balance plate shoes - great shoes, but all seemed too tight or too loose. Went with these, but had the same problem - couldn't get them tight enough, and then it would loosen during the games. The great solution (for me anyway) was to use locklaces (https://www.locklaces.com/) -- these allowed me to really get them "tied" snuggly, and I'd wrap the top of the lace to keep it from loosening during the games. You can buy them on Amazon. Have been using them for over 100 plates and still working great.