Need shoe advice

[Paperipper17]

It's time for some new shoes and I was hoping to get some help. I've been wearing my old Under Armour Evade trainers from the playing days on the bases, which are great shoes, but the soles are white and the logo is red, and even though it matches the trim and piping on my shirts, it just doesn't look professional to me. I'm going to be doing AAU nationals at Disney in June, and the last thing I want to do is look like I just fell off the turnip wagon:bang:. My girlfriend works at Dicks and can use her discount, and I've narrowed it down to a few choices. The 3N2 Reaction base shoes are the cheapest option, and look good enough, but I've never heard of the brand. Any testimonials out there for them?

Second is the Reebok Field Magistrate II. I've heard good things about this shoe, but here's my question: It's listed as a plate shoe, but has no mention of any protection besides a "Thermo-molded toe," whatever that means . My shin guards have the front foot flap, so I guess I don't need the hard shell as long as the toe is protected, but I'd certainly like to have it. Would I be better off going with the more standard NB or Reebok with the shell on the top of the foot? As an alternate to the 3N2 in the field, I'm considering the Magistrate II base shoe and a solid black Under Armour trainer.

Thanks guys, any advice will be greatly appreciated :bang:

Edited March 12, 2010 by Paperipper17

[tjthresh]

http://midwestump.blogspot.com/search/label/3N2

[Paperipper17]

http://midwestump.blogspot.com/search/label/3N2

Awesome. Thank you.

Looks like he was impressed with it. Next step is the try-on process. If it fits comfortably, that'll be the new base shoe.

[Umpire in Chief]

I have no personal experience with either.

I've heard some positive things about the 3N2 base shoe. And the Field Magistrates seem to have become very popular.

The Field magistrates that you have shown are not plate shoes. The Big Box sporting good stores have no clue.

As for the flap on your shin guards, get rid of it.

Get some plate shoes. The flap is okay for the top of your foot, but you need toe protection. Make sure what you buy has solid toe protection. Base shoes with the flap will leave you vulnerable. While I have no first hand knowledge or experience there is a post elsewhere stating the 3N2 plate shoe only has a fiberglass toe. IF that is the case you probaby want to stay away from them for anything more than 12 y/o kids.

[Paperipper17]

As for the flap on your shin guards, get rid of it.

Get some plate shoes. The flap is okay for the top of your foot, but you need toe protection. Make sure what you buy has solid toe protection. Base shoes with the flap will leave you vulnerable. While I have no first hand knowledge or experience there is a post elsewhere stating the 3N2 plate shoe only has a fiberglass toe. IF that is the case you probaby want to stay away from them for anything more than 12 y/o kids.

I do currently have plate shoes, but I wear the flap to actually protect the sides of my feet with smaller kids...at my height, I have to open my stance a lot to get low enough, and I turn the guard a bit to cover the side of the foot.

Thanks for the heads up on the 3N2 plates...it didn't say that on their site but I searched it and found a review saying the same thing. You may have saved my toes there .

And no joke about the big box guys...if I didn't have a discount available, I wouldn't even consider them...price and customer service tend to be lacking when you compare to places like ump-attire and betterbaseball.com.

Edited March 13, 2010 by Paperipper17

[semper_fi_72]

I have been using the 3N2 Base Shoe for 8 months now.

I highly recommend it.

They are light and comfortable and have excellent traction.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Reebok Plate Shoes:

All-Black Low Top

Standard Design Mid-cut

[Kevin Finnerty]

Everybody who has them says they're the best. I've put some on and they are supremely comfortable.

The base shoes--like the ones you were looking at--are also very comfortable and provide good traction. You can't go wrong.

[Paperipper17]

I have been using the 3N2 Base Shoe for 8 months now.

I highly recommend it.

They are light and comfortable and have excellent traction.

They look great, and are the best bargain for sure at $55 minus whatever the discount is. My only question is, how do they breathe? I don't see any cooling holes, but for all I know they're so light it isn't a problem. My feet tend to sweat a lot (which I'm sure everyone wanted to know:no:), so that could potentially be a problem.

Everybody who has them says they're the best. I've put some on and they are supremely comfortable.

The base shoes--like the ones you were looking at--are also very comfortable and provide good traction. You can't go wrong.

I love the all-black low cuts, I've tried a pair on and they were great. Supposed to be easy to clean too. Reeboks are definitely the plate frontrunner.

[semper_fi_72]

They look great, and are the best bargain for sure at $55 minus whatever the discount is. My only question is, how do they breathe? I don't see any cooling holes, but for all I know they're so light it isn't a problem. My feet tend to sweat a lot (which I'm sure everyone wanted to know:no:), so that could potentially be a problem.

I love the all-black low cuts, I've tried a pair on and they were great. Supposed to be easy to clean too. Reeboks are definitely the plate frontrunner.

They are not hot and very breathable.

Mine went on at 7:30 AM yesterday and after 4 games they came off at 6 PM.

Socks were dry and the dogs were still happy.

Spray some scrubbing bubbles on them, hit with a brush and wipe off to clean.

Squirt some Febreze inside and place in trunk.

Will hit with hairspray before I leave for Adult game today and wear them for another game.

At games yesterday, even guys wearing New Balance were saying Reeboks were lighter and more comfortable.

[BT_Blue]

I have the Reebok Quag II shoes. They are the same as the Field Magistrate base shoes but they come in a mid top (they also have the NFL logo on them but its at the bottom of the sole so no one knows). I love these shoes and wish I had gotten the Reebok plate shoes before I got my NBs last season.

As for the 3n2 shoes. Try them on if you can. I went to Dicks and they do not have them in stock. They come through the website.

I almost bought the 3n2 shoes but needed the mid top ankle support. Great shoes from what I have read and I like the fact that they are specifically made for umpires.

[JaxRolo]

Reebok Plate Shoes:

Standard Design Mid-cut

I just received a pair of these and they are the most comfortable shoes ever!

[Paperipper17]

I almost bought the 3n2 shoes but needed the mid top ankle support. Great shoes from what I have read and I like the fact that they are specifically made for umpires.

That's what I liked about them too. Semper Fi wears them and loves them, and I've heard a lot of great reviews, so I think I'll be ordering them next week.

[JaxRolo]

I may be looking at the wrong 3n2 but I read somewhere that the 3n2 is not a steel toe shoe is more of a Rugged Carbon Fiber.

May not be made for Upper level baseball.

This is something I copied from a site somewhere:

The 3n2 Reaction Pro-Plate Softball / Fastpitch Men's Umpire Shoes are designed to minimize dirt build up while providing comfort to reduce knee and joint stress associated with prolonged standing. 100% genuine leather construction with the protection of a rugged, carbon-fiber plate backed by an impact-absorbing cushion. These referee shoes are the official shoe of the National Softball Association and National Pro Fastpitch.

Softball / Fastpitch Referee Shoes Features:

* Rugged carbon-fiber plate backed by an impact-absorbing cushion

* Genuine leather that provides polish-ability

* Black on black color preferred by umpires

* Lightweight, compression-molded EVA midsole reduces knee and joint stress

* Designed to minimize dirt build up on shoe for easy cleaning

* Official Umpire Shoe of the National Softball Association and National Pro Fastpitch

* Weight: 15.7 oz

[Kevin Finnerty]

No the 3n2 shoes should not be used for high level baseball

Quick physics lesson:

Force = m*a (mass x acceleration)

The weight difference between a baseball and a softball is relatively insubstantial, however, obviously baseballs are thrown much faster.

Furthermore, the surface area of a softball is a lot greater than that of a baseball. Therefore, the impact from a baseball will concentrate more force in a smaller area. Consider a petite woman in heels who steps on your foot with just the heel vs a larger man who steps on your foot with his entire shoe. The girl with the stiletto will hurt more, and will give you an excuse to ask for her number.

The company has decided to sacrifice protection for weight. That is all well and good, however, the weight reduction results in less protection and thus, from a hardball umpire perspective, an inferior product.

Listen to this man. Sure he's young, but he's very smart. :BD:

[Paperipper17]

:BD:

Well done. lol

You're right, the 3N2 plate shoes are carbon fiber. I'm only buying the 3N2 base shoes, I'm getting the Reebok plate shoes. Thanks for all the posts guys it's been a big help

[Kevin Finnerty]

Well done. lol

You're right, the 3N2 plate shoes are carbon fiber. I'm only buying the 3N2 base shoes, I'm getting the Reebok plate shoes. Thanks for all the posts guys it's been a big help

We're pretty sick, but we're very helpful.

[Thunderheads]

No the 3n2 shoes should not be used for high level baseball

Quick physics lesson:

Force = m*a (mass x acceleration)

The weight difference between a baseball and a softball is relatively insubstantial, however, obviously baseballs are thrown much faster.

Furthermore, the surface area of a softball is a lot greater than that of a baseball. Therefore, the impact from a baseball will concentrate more force in a smaller area. Consider a petite woman in heels who steps on your foot with just the heel vs a larger man who steps on your foot with his entire shoe. The girl with the stiletto will hurt more, and will give you an excuse to ask for her number.

The company has decided to sacrifice protection for weight. That is all well and good, however, the weight reduction results in less protection and thus, from a hardball umpire perspective, an inferior product.

Logically speaking, it makese perfect sense .....but .....how do you KNOW this / / /

The company has decided to sacrifice protection for weight. That is all well and good, however, the weight reduction results in less protection and thus, from a hardball umpire perspective, an inferior product

Show me the numbers :censored:

Edited April 7, 2010 by Thunderheads

[BrianC14]

I may be looking at the wrong 3n2 but I read somewhere that the 3n2 is not a steel toe shoe is more of a Rugged Carbon Fiber.

May not be made for Upper level baseball.

This is something I copied from a site somewhere:

The 3n2 Reaction Pro-Plate Softball / Fastpitch Men's Umpire Shoes are designed to minimize dirt build up while providing comfort to reduce knee and joint stress associated with prolonged standing. 100% genuine leather construction with the protection of a rugged, carbon-fiber plate backed by an impact-absorbing cushion. These referee shoes are the official shoe of the National Softball Association and National Pro Fastpitch.

Softball / Fastpitch Referee Shoes Features:

* Rugged carbon-fiber plate backed by an impact-absorbing cushion

* Genuine leather that provides polish-ability

* Black on black color preferred by umpires

* Lightweight, compression-molded EVA midsole reduces knee and joint stress

* Designed to minimize dirt build up on shoe for easy cleaning

[i]* Official Umpire Shoe of the National Softball Association and National Pro Fastpitch

* Weight: 15.7 oz

That should tell you something.

[Thunderheads]

That should tell you something.

Brian, I understand your point, but it's only an 'endorsement'....you know that as well as I do....

We're in the same issue with CPs ...there are ZERO standards for CP protection and safety. There are ZERO numbers saying that the Wilson Gold is better than the K-1, (just an example) ...Bottom line, no one knows from a 'technical' standpoint.

ASTM has standards for toe / foot protection. Most of these composite materials used in these types of shoes must meet ASTM 2315 which is tested in Impact and Crush, ....Impact in foot pounds ... 75 adn 50 , and a Crush equivalent to 2500 lbs or 1750 lbs.

Same goes for real 'steel' toes as well.

All I'm saying, in reality (engineering/science/testing) ...we dont' have numbers to compare , say, the Reebok or the 3n2 ...that's all I'm sayin :cheers:

[okump96]

speaking from bad experience here, DO NOT BUY PLATE SHOES THAT ARE NOT STEEL TOED!!!! I had the ssk carbon fiber toed shoes and got my toe broken by a pitched ball, hurt like hell and cost me several games due to heal time.

[BrianC14]

Brian, I understand your point, but it's only an 'endorsement'....you know that as well as I do....

We're in the same issue with CPs ...there are ZERO standards for CP protection and safety. There are ZERO numbers saying that the Wilson Gold is better than the K-1, (just an example) ...Bottom line, no one knows from a 'technical' standpoint.

ASTM has standards for toe / foot protection. Most of these composite materials used in these types of shoes must meet ASTM 2315 which is tested in Impact and Crush, ....Impact in foot pounds ... 75 adn 50 , and a Crush equivalent to 2500 lbs or 1750 lbs.

Same goes for real 'steel' toes as well.

All I'm saying, in reality (engineering/science/testing) ...we dont' have numbers to compare , say, the Reebok or the 3n2 ...that's all I'm sayin

I know it's "only an endorsement" - - and it's "only" been endorsed by a couple of softball associations.

[Thunderheads]

.....from 3n2

http://blog.3n2sports.com/2010/06/ceo-review-3n2-reaction-pro-plate-umpire-shoe/#more-114

[kcfan102]

I'm sticking with a steel toe. Carbon Fiber... well it sounds nice and it's strength to weight ratio is... well it doesn't mean anything now does it (if it isn't strong enough, who cares how much it weighs)?

Reebok has made an exceptional shoe with a steel toe, in many options (mid and low cuts, white logos or black logos). Honestly, it feel like a tennis shoe when wearing it compared to my old Spot Builts. I've taken my share of hits from bad catchers and wild pitchers, and I'm sticking with it.

There are numbers put to chest protectors. Gerry Davis put some numbers on it. Now it's not great but it's something. Pete also did a test concerning CPs.

My point is, you can put numbers on anything you want. But each umpire has his/her preferences. My dad swears by the DavisShield. He does Legion ball with it and loves it. Personally, I'm not a fan but hey who cares. If you want to have reservations because of numbers, that's all fine and logical, but to me, nothing beats experience, and we have plenty of that on this board.

[Thunderheads]

The current Reebok's are not steel toed either......