All-Star System Seven Review

[MidAmUmp]

I've been wearing the new All-Star System Seven chest protector this fall and sent this review to them today...

• Very low profile. It doesn't look like you are wearing football shoulder pads.
• I love the harness. I've always been leery of chest protectors like that, but the harness is perfect and easy to adjust.
• Shoulder padding is again, low profile, but very good protection. I like how it extends past the shoulders without restricting movement.
• I like how it wraps over your shoulders.
• I would like to see a little more padding around the neck, or extending the current padding above the plastic. It has rubbed on me the 4 times I've worn it. However, possibly adjusting the Velcro piece may help (which I did after my plate on Sunday).
• My one concern is not having padding down the center of the chest protector. I have not taken a shot with it yet, but I'm wondering how it will take one. That said, not having padding down the center allows for some air flow and circulation which is nice.
• I think having the removable padding and being able to wash it is brilliant.
• Some who have looked at mine have voiced some concern about a gap on the sides (breast area) where the WV protectors have some extra padding. I personally don't see anything wrong with it. I know several pro umpires who have cut off those side areas on the WV's and I have found them restrictive when I call a 3rd strike since I pull straight back.
• I like how the protector curves to the body and how the buckles are more on the sides instead of in front of the protector.

I have worked 4 plates with it, 3 NCAA Division I fall games with pitchers throwing in the 90's and a HS showcase game with pitchers in the upper 80's/low 90's. Again, I haven't been hit yet, but from what I've seen so far this is the best chest protector on the market.

I would highly recommend this chest protector if you are looking for a new one.

[Thunderheads]

Nice.....

I wound up loosening the shoulder area harness just a tad, and that really helped where this CP sat on me .....much better that way. This CP sits much higher than others, so while I'm more comfortable with my adjustment, ...the CP still sits very high and I still feel just as protected.

I've taken a couple shoulder area shots with mine ...nothing drastic, but hard enough ...and only felt pressure

[NC Umpire]

I wore mine for the first time tonight and it rubbed my neck alot also. Got 2 raw spots on both sides of my neck. Gonna try to adjust the harness some.

[sdix00]

The neck thing is very interesting. I have taken two very hard shots this last year that somehow found my collarbone. I wear the Platinum right now.

My #1 reason for ordering the All-Star CP was for the closer neck.

Interested to hear how you guys address this.

[rth54]

<br />Nice..... <br />I wound up loosening the shoulder area harness just a tad, and that really helped where this CP sat on me .....much better that way.  This CP sits much higher than others, so while I'm more comfortable with my adjustment, ...the CP still sits very high and I still feel just as protected.<br /><br />I've taken a couple shoulder area shots with mine ...nothing drastic, but hard enough ...and only felt pressure<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Can you elaborate a bit on how you adjusted the shoulder area?

[johnnyg08]

I would like to hear more about this too. "Raw" anything is the last thing I want to experience with this CP

[MidAmUmp]

It didn't rub me "raw". However, I loosened it up a little bit and that helped out some. Basically the plastic and the padding are even (most protectors have the padding extended) so the plastic tends to rub against your neck.

There is a Velcro pad which can be moved up and I've done that now but don't have another game until February to see if it helps.

My plan is 1) I told All Star and they are working on it for next year. And 2) I think wearing a mock turtleneck will resolve the issue. Normally I wear an Under Armour compression, but having something with a collar would help.

I still am sold on the overall quality and protection. It is a very impressive product and they "got it right".

[boyinr]

MidAmUmp:

Raising the pad should help. Mine is a little above the front plate. I have used this CP for about 20 games so far. This CP does fit close around the neck (I have a 17" neck and only one chin). The only issue that I have had similar to this is that the shouder pad on the side had moved/shifted and was chaffing my arm every time I made a strike call. I moved the pad a litle after that game and I have not had an issue like this again. That fact that the padding can be adjusted (and removed for washing or replacement) is a really nice feature. I hope to read about move feedback as this gets more market penetration.

NuBlue:

The shoulders are adjusted by loosening (or tightening) the two nylon straps underneath the shoulder caps that attach it to the collar bone area of the CP. The padding needs to removed to do this. Just make sure you put it back similar to how it came out (see above). This will free up (or tighten) the movement of the shoulders. I have mine fairly tight and I will let it self adjust. I loosened it up and didn't see too much difference.

[NC Umpire]

It didn't rub me "raw". However, I loosened it up a little bit and that helped out some. Basically the plastic and the padding are even (most protectors have the padding extended) so the plastic tends to rub against your neck.

There is a Velcro pad which can be moved up and I've done that now but don't have another game until February to see if it helps.

My plan is 1) I told All Star and they are working on it for next year. And 2) I think wearing a mock turtleneck will resolve the issue. Normally I wear an Under Armour compression, but having something with a collar would help.

I still am sold on the overall quality and protection. It is a very impressive product and they "got it right".

I adusted the Velcro padding closer to the neck area today before my game and it helped a lot. I agree, this is a great cp.