Rock Bottom

I have the All-Star FM4000 steel (with the AS magnesium pads) and AS skull cap combo and love it - have you tried that in games? I'm not sure how much of an "upgrade" the Force 3 mask is over it when paired with the mag pads and AS skull cap.

Not sure if I'm keeping it, but this HSM definitely looks awesome and deserves a post!

It would help, but I can't really tell if it's the cage. I've never worn a HSM before so maybe I'm just not used to it.

I got this for a year-end gift to myself - I really WANT to like it, and if I was a catcher I'd get it in a heartbeat, but thinking it's just too heavy for umping where we where it for the entire game, and often multiple games in a row (plus a little too much jaw pressure for my liking). Looks fantastic, and love the Deflexion tech - hopefully they put that in a traditional mask.

Ump-Attire has it in stock now- MVP5 on the way to me now - I'll take pics later this week when it's in. https://www.ump-attire.com/Products/MVP5/All-Star-Matte-Black-MVP5-Umpire-Helmet

I was on the fence about getting a helmet, but this sold me on the MVP5! 95mph and just a "I'm good." All-Star should use that in ads! I think this video falls under "fair use" - it's only a 9 second clip. Hopefully this link I created works (the video was too big to embed directly): https://photos.app.goo.gl/3KG71uMZVK2Lsq8RA If the link doesn't work please let me know - thanks!

I've tried a MVP2500-1 before, but it was too tight - I like it in theory, but I need to be able to wear sunglasses under it. All-Star posted on their Instagram account that this new model isn't as tight, so I'm hoping. Now I don't do high level games like you, so if I don't rip the mask off every time we are "supposed to" (even though you can see just fine with it on) it won't be a problem. But what REALLY sold me was the 96 mph shot Maldanado took in the WS with the MVP5 and he didn't even miss a beat. I asked All-Star on Instagram if the are going to make a "Defexion" mask too - but they just replied with a cute "Good question" response! I wouldn't hesitate to buy a mask with that tech!

@JimKirkAny update on when you'll have the MVP5? I'd love to order from UA, plus take advantage of my NASO discount. 😁

You were able to add a black one to your cart? It says "sold out" for me. (I'm hoping Ump Attire gets them soon so I can purchase this year.)

I'm guessing he means they are out of stock already.

The new MVP5 is out - link below. For some reason Ump Attire didn't have it yet, (which surprised me given their close relationship with All-Star) and I was hoping to buy from them because I'm right on the border of the size chart, so want to have the free return option - now All-Star is out of the black. Anyone get one and have comments on the size, fit, and outside chance they've used it in a game this time of year? https://all-starsports.com/collections/ump-hsm/products/mvp-pro-helmet-large

I love my System 7, but I have an extra one -- never worn -- as my backup, so if anyone wants it that bad I'll be happy to sell it for a steal at $400! 🤣

I hope they give a choice - I like having the grippy harness since I use the All-Star skullcap! @JimKirk Do you include both harnesses?

Have you taken a shot to your Rampage/WindPact combo yet that allows you to compare the WindPact pads to the Mag pads, Team Wendys, etc? If so, how did they perform in comparison?

All-Star said their new MVP5 hockey-style mask is coming out "later this fall" per their Instagram account. Can't wait to see that - per AS it has "true suspension technology in the chin and forehead [to] isolate the head from blows to the cage and shell."

I put my arms behind my back for this reason, but it does leave my elbows exposed. I occasionally wear a G-Form elbow guard (the Elite Speed one that's one piece) on both arms, but it doesn't work well with long sleeves, and it's hot in the summer, so this year I didn't wear them. I do agree with @Brayan, do what you need to protect yourself - no one else is paying your medical bills and lost wages. I hear some morons complain about use of the skull cap - guys like that are complete idiots; I'd wear a skull cap even if the pros weren't, but since MLB umps wear assignors, etc. complaining about it just show how ignorant they are. There's a 25% off sale right now, but looks like they may be out in L/XL in black. And even that size is fairly tight. https://g-form.com/elite-speed-baseball-batters-elbow-guard

I switched from the Schutt to the System 7 (CPU4000) after a shot to the collar bone that severely bruised it (I thought it was broke for a minute) and LOVE the S7 so much I bought a second one as my backup when they went on sale just as the Cobalt was coming out. I can't compare the S7 to the Cobalt, since I haven't used the Cobalt, but I can say that I've worn it in 95-100 degree weather and while it was obviously hot, I didn't notice it being that much hotter than the Schutt. Protection is great on it.

See, what we REALLY need is a sunglasses porn thread!!! 🤣 😎

If you haven't already tried it, I strongly recommend using the All Star Delta Flex with the skull cap. It's great! It grabs the helmet perfectly but it's still very easy to put on and off, and it's available in all black too: https://www.ump-attire.com/Products/FMHPRO-SBK/All-Star-Delta-Flex-Umpire-Mask-Replacement-Harness

I caught a bounced fastball that went under my throat guard and hard into the underside of my jaw/chin. I'm wondering if I'm leaning too far forward, because I have a 6.5 inch guard. The batter was really short so I definitely was down lower than normal. Anyone have this happen to them?

I personally have always worn sunglasses behind the plate, so it never bothered me having the shorter bill, and even when I was using a regular hat, I had to go 4 stitch because I use the FM4000 steel.

The short bill is a big safety benefit - especially when using an All-Star FM4000 or 4000Mag given how the bars are closer to ones face.

I know that is what All Star said, and I LOVE their product - I've convinced many of my partners to get one, but if the padding was needed in the back for backswings for umps, it would needed even more for catchers, wouldn't it? Yet the catcher's version has it in the back (the front of the turned around helmet as worn by most catchers). It just doesn't make sense to me - and add the fact the delta-flex covers the port holes in the ump version and I those two things lead me to thing it's a re-engineered {aka, bill shortened and helmet sand-painted) version of their Axis catching helmet. But hey, I'm no engineer, not even close - and this is a great product - but I'd love to have more protection up front and changed porthole placement - but I'm trusting All-Star with my brain on this! For those who haven't tried the skully with the DeltaFlex instead of the traditional harness, I HIGHLY recommend the DF - especially this all-black version: https://www.ump-attire.com/Products/FMHPRO-SBK/All-Star-Delta-Flex-Umpire-Mask-Replacement-Harness It grabs the skully perfectly, while still being very easy to get on and off, but hundreds of games in I've never had the mask slip once.

That's what I wear too, but I haven't taken a hit that hard. Is it just that 92 is going to hurt no matter what we are wearing, or are you looking at something other than a S7? I had always heard the S7 might be the best (or one of the best) protecting chest protectors on the market - any thoughts on that?