Low Profile Leg Guard Comparison

[midmoump]

I just posted a review of low profile shin guards (leg guards) on the MidWest Ump website. The goal is to find the best low profile shin guard and the review criteria is: (1) comfort; (2) protection; (3) dimensions; and (4) weight. Five shin guards were chosen for review:

1. Diamond Featherweight Shin Guards

2. Champro Pro-Plus Leg Guards

3. CCM Referee Shin Guards

4. Gerry Davis DaviShins Shin Guards

5. All-Star LGU313

[Umpire in Chief]

Another through and awesome article.

I am particularly interested because my WV triple knee guards have seen better days. I got them 6 years ago used. Douglas will recondition them for about $45 + S&H. This review and the prices make it more likely I get new ones instead of getting them reconditioned.

[mazzamouth]

why no the honigs K20 or K-30 they are both very small... i wear the K-20 they are a double knee and very light and small.

[Aging_Arbiter]

I'm kind of dissapointed that Honigs discontinued the UMP Shins line that they purchased from bodyguard products. I'm here to tell you that these leg guards were so lite, my partner and I were rushed to change between double headers and it was the bottom of the 2nd inning before I realized that I still had my leg guards on from the previous game. The look on his face between innings was priceless when he saw me run over to the "out of play" area, and remove them.

[midmoump]

Mazza-

I should have made it clear in the article that my old Honig's are K-30s. The K-30s are heavier than any of the tested guards and as big around the knee as the GDs. I am very satisfied with the K-30s protection and comfort, but they are a little on the big side. As I found, any guard is going to show through your plate pants, especially while you're in your stance. However, when walking around some guards are more noticeable and the pant legs will "bunch up." That was especially noticeable with the GD DaviShins and the Champros.

The All Star LGU313 and the Diamond DLG-LITE were less noticeable which makes sense when you look at the measurements. For instance, the circumference around the knee of the All Star is 19" while the circumference of my Honigs Poly Wool Pants is 25" at the knee. More room, less noticeable.

[slo8140]

I saw the new diamonds at our state meeting a couple of weeks ago...for $39.99. They do look great and light, but my question is about the protection. They seem to have a big gap just below the knee before you get to the plastic that covers the shin.

I am thinking about getting a pair to put in my backup bag at work. I want a light small pair of shins and a lighter smaller chest that will fit in a small bag that i can use in emergency situations when I do not have my big bag.