the age old debate, gold or platinum

[dleavitt39]

Alright guys, it's the age old debate on here, but I want some recomendations based on my personal specs.

I know I want either the WV Gold or Platinum. My current protector is the ProNine protector, and it just doesn't cut it. I've taken shots in a 12 y.o game that I shouldn't feel. The one that finalized the deal for me was in my last game last season. They have that flimsy piece of crap sewed on collarbone protector. Well, what do you know, last game of the season, foul tip right off of that pad...that pad didn't do crap. I went down like a ton of bricks. Stunned me to the point where I don't remember the next minute or 2 after it, but 5 minutes of being examined by the team doc, I was back behind the plate fearful for my life. So I decided it's time for me to change. I'm 6'0, 235 lbs. I use a "box" style stance, but lean forward more than crouch. So that being said, what do I do, the gold or the platinum, from everything I read, it's pretty much a toss up, but I want to hear from you guys who have experience with it. Does one ride "higher" than the other. That's my major thing, I want that neck/clavicle protection. The pronine, no matter how tight i made it, it always rode low, and I don't want that again.

Thanks in advance for your responses,

Dan

[DirtyDawg]

I am 5'11" and when I started upiring I weighed in the 280 lb range. It was about this time I bought me a gold chest protector and it fit me quite well. Last time I used it I was in the 325 lb range and the thing still fit. I've done a lot of games (both baseball and fastpitch at all different age ranges) and have taken many different shots, and though they sometimes knock back a bit, I still get back in there with no fear that my equipment is protecting me right. With this protector I've gotten adequate coverage on my ribs with only my beer gut hanging below (but there's enough padding in that area to do the job already). That's my take on the gold.

[Umpire in Chief]

Welcome to the site Dleavitt!

I own the Gold and love it. I'm 5'10" 220lbs. For me it stays put and I have no fear of my clavicle getting hit. I debated which CP to get for a long time and finally chose the Gold over the others because of the recommendations. That and I borrowed a platinum and wore it for a few games and it didn't feel comfortable under my arms. But that could be to it not molding to me in that short time.

It has been reported that the Platinum rides down over the game.

Both offer superior protection.

Be sure to check out our reviews section.

[kristoffae]

You definitely need the platinum. Particularly the platinum I am selling in the classifieds section. That is the one you need.

[jjb]

I found the Platinum to be best for the upright "box" stance. The Gold had more protection overt the shoulders for the bent-over "GD" stance.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I have a rebuilt left shoulder, which includes the Mumford Procedure---a sawing off of a section of the collarbone. I require the best protection possible for that area.

I have tried the Platinum, Gold and the forerunner to the two, the Douglas. I trust them all for average hardball. For premium hardball, I trust only the Gold. And that's because it offers the best grade of collarbone and shoulder protection. It also offers superior gap coverage to the Platinum. Add to that, the fact that you lean forward pretty much seals it, in my view. The Gold will protect you better than the Platinum.

If I were to part with one of the three, I'd part with the Platinum. That's my best frame of reference to offer.

[kcfan102]

I believe Platinum is a more precious metal than gold.

Oh, wait... CPs, nevermind.

I use a Platinum. I love it. However, I've never tried the Gold, for what it's worth, I recommend the Platinum.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I also heartily recommended the Platinum ... before I bought and tried the Gold. The Platinum is excellent. The Gold is beyond excellent.

[mazzamouth]

Neither... get a douglass vest.. they used to be the west vest before Cowboy Joe took over... they are very good vest, light, hard plastic shell, nice liner, and after a year or two or 3, you can send it bck in and they will replace any and all rivets, Velcro, and padding thats needs to be...I have a West vest gold, if you wanna buy it, I never use it, it collects dust... look in the classifieds in this web site.

[BrianC14]

Neither... get a douglass vest.. they used to be the west vest before Cowboy Joe took over... they are very good vest, light, hard plastic shell, nice liner, and after a year or two or 3, you can send it bck in and they will replace any and all rivets, Velcro, and padding thats needs to be...I have a West vest gold, if you wanna buy it, I never use it, it collects dust... look in the classifieds in this web site.

Hold on there, pard... is this the same Gold that you've "sold" to me for $30 and beers in Winter Haven? :rollinglaugh:

[Marcus6]

Neither... get a douglass vest.. they used to be the west vest before Cowboy Joe took over... they are very good vest, light, hard plastic shell, nice liner, and after a year or two or 3, you can send it bck in and they will replace any and all rivets, Velcro, and padding thats needs to be...I have a West vest gold, if you wanna buy it, I never use it, it collects dust... look in the classifieds in this web site.

Is Douglas making these again?

[mazzamouth]

Hold on there, pard... is this the same Gold that you've "sold" to me for $30 and beers in Winter Haven?

LOL yes thats it...

Brian were you serious.. I just got offered a $100...LOL

[mazzamouth]

Is Douglas making these again?

In a way, you can email them and talk to them, they are trying to get back in the market.. I ordered mine last year, and told a buddy about it.. he got one.. i also just won a Douglass west vest the Original one off eBay the other day..

[BrianC14]

LOL yes thats it...

Brian were you serious.. I just got offered a $100...LOL

Take the $100! I can't afford that much beer! :2cents:

[OM3]

In a way, you can email them and talk to them, they are trying to get back in the market.. I ordered mine last year, and told a buddy about it.. he got one.. i also just won a Douglass west vest the Original one off eBay the other day..

I've been looking for a new CP and after reading all the post on Wilson Gold and Platinum.....I was refreshed to see someone recommend a different CP. I gave the Douglas company a call after reading this and ordered the 15 inch CP. Ordered 4/1 about 1 PM and got 4/2....that's fast.(Houston to Dallas). I'll use it on Monday 4/5.

I've taking some good shots this year using a subpar CP and it performed pretty good. I really didn't feel anything. I wanted to upgrade now and save my money down the line. Get something college level solid. I just wish it had bicep protection.

Douglas rep said they are looking into getting back in the market. They are trying to find a company in China to do their work. That's what's holding up the process and appears to be no rush in contract talks.

[softballump0421]

I'm interested in either the gold or platinum wilson west chest protector. I do both Little League Baseball and Fastpitch Softball. I need a chest protector that will last a long time. I do about 20 baseball games and in fastpitch softball, I do over 200 games (that's High School, Tournaments and Recreational(including fall ball) combined. I do mostly alot behind the plate during the recreational and tournament season, half in my high school season.

I need a chest protector that will last. I'm using Diamond Equipment right now, but need to upgrade real soon. Would appreciate any recommendations that you guys have.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I've been looking for a new CP and after reading all the post on Wilson Gold and Platinum.....I was refreshed to see someone recommend a different CP. I gave the Douglas company a call after reading this and ordered the 15 inch CP. Ordered 4/1 about 1 PM and got 4/2....that's fast.(Houston to Dallas). I'll use it on Monday 4/5.

I've taking some good shots this year using a subpar CP and it performed pretty good. I really didn't feel anything. I wanted to upgrade now and save my money down the line. Get something college level solid. I just wish it had bicep protection.

Douglas rep said they are looking into getting back in the market. They are trying to find a company in China to do their work. That's what's holding up the process and appears to be no rush in contract talks.

I acquired an old Douglas from a retiree via ebay. It served as an unused backup to my Gold. But one day, I took my backup bag to a clinic, and strapped the Douglas on for my plate session. One of my instructors commented to a colleague, "Look at that Douglas," and then he said, admiringly, "He doesn't know what he has there."

After that gushing, I decided to try it out at my first opportunity. I wear a cold-weather combination that includes a long-sleeve Majestic therma-base over the chest protector, with a long-sleeve uniform shirt over that. It's a heck of a lot easier to fit my XL Majestic therma-base over the Douglas than the Wilson Gold. So I used it in some cool-weather H.S. games. Man, is it ever comfortable. And I took two pretty good shots, and even though the coverage isn't as complete as the Gold's, the resiliency in the spot where I got drilled is about as good as the Gold's. I trust the Gold more, because it covers more, but the Douglas is the sleekest, most comfortable top-tier hard shell that I have tried.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I'm interested in either the gold or platinum wilson west chest protector. I do both Little League Baseball and Fastpitch Softball. I need a chest protector that will last a long time. I do about 20 baseball games and in fastpitch softball, I do over 200 games (that's High School, Tournaments and Recreational(including fall ball) combined. I do mostly alot behind the plate during the recreational and tournament season, half in my high school season.

I need a chest protector that will last. I'm using Diamond Equipment right now, but need to upgrade real soon. Would appreciate any recommendations that you guys have.

Take a good, long look at this model:

It goes for around $100, and the plates and padding are similar in quality to the Gold and Platinum models, but at about $50 less.

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=A3217-CHA13&Category_Code=CHEST-PROTECTOR&Product_Count=4

[zm1283]

I've been looking for a new CP and after reading all the post on Wilson Gold and Platinum.....I was refreshed to see someone recommend a different CP. I gave the Douglas company a call after reading this and ordered the 15 inch CP. Ordered 4/1 about 1 PM and got 4/2....that's fast.(Houston to Dallas). I'll use it on Monday 4/5.

I've taking some good shots this year using a subpar CP and it performed pretty good. I really didn't feel anything. I wanted to upgrade now and save my money down the line. Get something college level solid. I just wish it had bicep protection.

Douglas rep said they are looking into getting back in the market. They are trying to find a company in China to do their work. That's what's holding up the process and appears to be no rush in contract talks.

How much $ did that set you back?

[mazzamouth]

How much $ did that set you back?

should have cost him about 110.... maybe.. that is what i paid for my Douglas.

[mazzamouth]

I've been looking for a new CP and after reading all the post on Wilson Gold and Platinum.....I was refreshed to see someone recommend a different CP. I gave the Douglas company a call after reading this and ordered the 15 inch CP. Ordered 4/1 about 1 PM and got 4/2....that's fast.(Houston to Dallas). I'll use it on Monday 4/5.

I've taking some good shots this year using a subpar CP and it performed pretty good. I really didn't feel anything. I wanted to upgrade now and save my money down the line. Get something college level solid. I just wish it had bicep protection.

Douglas rep said they are looking into getting back in the market. They are trying to find a company in China to do their work. That's what's holding up the process and appears to be no rush in contract talks.

i am glad you look at my review... I really enjoy my vest. and I umpire a lot of upper ball ( i have a DI series this weekend), and I will wear my Douglas with out a worry of getting hurt.

[mazzamouth]

I'm interested in either the gold or platinum wilson west chest protector. I do both Little League Baseball and Fastpitch Softball. I need a chest protector that will last a long time. I do about 20 baseball games and in fastpitch softball, I do over 200 games (that's High School, Tournaments and Recreational(including fall ball) combined. I do mostly alot behind the plate during the recreational and tournament season, half in my high school season.

I need a chest protector that will last. I'm using Diamond Equipment right now, but need to upgrade real soon. Would appreciate any recommendations that you guys have.

look at the classified section on this site, some one is selling a very good Gold... cheap price as well. Only looks like it was used for 1 season.

[kylejt]

"Look at that Douglas," and then he said, admiringly, "He doesn't know what he has there."

I had one of those, and wore it quite a bit. Until I found out the value of it. I recall I got around 4 bills for it on eBay, after I paid $10 at a local thrift store. I've got a second generation now, and it's a nice backup. That original one financed a lot of pro gear for me, way back when.

[boyinr]

I just got my platinum. Can't wait to try it out. The fit is great. It is already a favorite. If I had known (and taken the plentiful advice of those more knowledgable) I would have started here and saved a $100 or $200. I will still use the old gear for the little guys for a while.

[dleavitt39]

My gold just game today. Great service and timeliness from UmpAttire.

I'll get to try it out this Sunday.

Thanks for all the recommendations.

Dan