3n2 Plate Shoes

[sdix00]

So I tried the 3N2 plate shoe a couple weeks ago and let's just say I was less than satisfied.

I would state some pros like price and light weight, but none of that matters anymore.

I was hit by a foul ball on the left big toe area of the shoe. Shouldn't be a problem, lots of protection, right? WRONG. I was in so much pain I couldn't continue for a couple minutes. Immediately, I knew that I was hurt pretty bad. I (literally) limped through the last couple innings and went to my truck to inspect the damage. I had a broken blood vessel under the big toe that turned 40% of the area under my toenail dark purple. I didn't think to take a picture, but trust me, it was gross.

The next day I inspected the shoe. It LOOKED normal. The toe plate seemed solid. I figured maybe the ball snuck around the plate or something. I then pushed really hard on the 'protected' toe area and was able to PUSH IN and make an impression with my thumb! (See pic below.) I tried the same thing on the right shoe and couldn't press in on the toe plate, no matter how hard I tried. Conclusion - the left shoe toe plate was actually damaged by the foul ball. I felt inside the shoe and could feel a split/break in the protective material where I had pushed in with my thumb.

Needless to say, I am pretty upset.

Sent the shoes (along with the base shoes) back yesterday.

Summary review: These shoes will look great and will perform just fine as long as you are not hit with a baseball.

In the pic - The shoe looked normal after the foul ball, however, with a lot of effort, I was able to PUSH IN on the 'protected' toe area of the affected shoe.

I was not able to push in on the same area of the non-affected shoe.

Why did I go with these shoes in the first place? I wanted all black plate shoes. I don't like stripes and RBK was not available in wide width, all black. I will be rethinking my priorities.

The fit of the shoe could have also been an issue. Even though I ordered 1/2 size up in both length and width, the shoe still felt tight. Understanding that new shoes usually feel tight, I still think this shoe was not sized very well.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I have to say that no matter what brand of shoe I have tried, I had something red or purple going on with my toes after a brutal hit: Spot-Bilt (nine games before shelving them), New Balance and now, Reebok. I look at it like with poor protection, something would have shattered, and with good protection, I just get bruised.

But there has never been a total failure like that 3 N 2. Wow!

I've taken some real shots, both fouls and uncaught pitches, and though Reebok definitely is the most comfortable, New Balance takes a better toe shot. They each have their pluses, but apparently, going cheap in a plate shoe can mean flirting with a painful injury. Man, I hope you're okay.

[BigUmp56]

I was hit on the end of my toe while wearing a pair of Honigs plate shoes. My toe was broken and I was unable to finish the game, or go to work for for several days afterward. I wrote to Honigs to voice my concern, and to my surprise they responded that this happens from time to time with this particular shoe. The shoes are advertised as having a "protective toe" rather than a "steel toe". Apparently quite a few umpires are willing to accept the trade off of the lighter weight shoe versus a shoe with more substantial protection. It appears that the shoe you use is very similar to the Honigs I was using. After being injured that way, I will never step behind the plate without a pair of steel toe plate shoes. They can keep their "protective toe" shoes.

Tim.

[Thunderheads]

I used the 3n2 plate shoe for most of the 2010 season with no issues. I found them very comfortable, and very light. I hope you're ok Steve, that's a bummer.

Supposedly, 3n2 uses the same material found in military boots. I'd like to think that this 'composite' material would be protective enough? I'd like to guess that your shoe had a defect, but of course , I don't know.

If I'm not mistaken .... Reebok's plate shoe hasn't been a steel toe for awhile now. I also think that that toe is a composite that's used in hockey skates. But, I may be wrong.

Steve, ... have you looked at the New Balance (new) shoes coming out? I want to say they have an all black version, but that may only be the base shoes.

[semper_fi_72]

Nothing wrong with the base shoes.

On 3rd year of using them.

In fact your son has my first pair....lol.

[Thunderheads]

Steve, ...I was right ....look .... it's showing it comes in just black version

http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/purchaseofficialsupplies/-strse-1276/SH-dsh-460/Detail.bok

[ukce1861]

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water! Nothing wrong with the base shoes. I've had mine for about nine months and they're very comfortable. Also, super easy to clean and look nice. Much better than the NB 995s they replaced.

[kylejt]

Does anyone out there actually think these clodhoppers are good looking? I don't, and I wear the 450's most of time.

These are what good looking shoes look like :

Now, if these just weighed half as much, we'd have something. Now these slippers actually did some protecting.

[zm1283]

Does anyone out there actually think these clodhoppers are good looking? I don't, and I wear the 450's most of time.

These are what good looking shoes look like :

Now, if these just weighed half as much, we'd have something. Now these slippers actually did some protecting.

When the new NB shoes were introduced, I hated the plate shoes. They are starting to grow on me now. I actually kind of like the all-black version. I wear 13's and the Reeboks look like water skis on me because the protective flap (Forget the name for it) is HUGE. I might have to give these a try this spring.

[Thunderheads]

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water! Nothing wrong with the base shoes. I've had mine for about nine months and they're very comfortable. Also, super easy to clean and look nice. Much better than the NB 995s they replaced.

I must agree. I wore the 3n2 base shoes all 2010 season and they are super comfy, light, good traction, etc, etc. I did a couple marathon tourneys with them too and my feet survived nicely! I like white on my shoes, so I took Tamiya model car paint, and customized the 3n2 logo .....

[NWA_UMP]

My 450's have held up very well. I am heading into season 4 with them...they are heading to the cobbler to have some work done on them. The fabric eyelets have broken on each shoe...just one one on each side. A quick re-lace bypassed the broken loop. I am not crazy about the look of the new NB plate shoes...but after seeing some of the Reebok's after one season I am inclined to think the NB is a Superior shoe. The Reebok's seem to be prone to cutting from spikes. That is the common damage that I have seen on them...or the plate dragging the ground if they are not laced properly.

[Umpete]

protective flap (Forget the name for it)

Metatarsal guard.

[kylejt]

I might just add these to the arsenal, for working four man.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Iron-Age-652-Mens-Metatarsal-EH-Steel-Toe-Shoes-10-C-/110703524056?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DMRU-11450%252BUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D110703524066%26ps%3D54

ANSI protection, in a classy looking shoe. No plastic toe, or anything that looks like I should be stepping off a lunar lander. Cheap, too.

[Thunderheads]

I might just add these to the arsenal, for working four man.

http://www.ebay.com/...24066%26ps%3D54

ANSI protection, in a classy looking shoe. No plastic toe, or anything that looks like I should be stepping off a lunar lander. Cheap, too.

Very "Marine-like" ...

[justwin]

very nice looking shoe that iron age...anybody know what the sole looks like...and how is the traction....nothing beats the old pos plate shoes...too bad they cant make the same shoe today but half the weight lol

[Nate]

I haven't been hit in the foot in a while.. *finds the nearest piece of wood* But that is ridiculous... When in Cooperstown this summer a guy tried 3n2 shoes for one game and then went around the barracks trying to sell them right away. I made the switch from my pentagon shoes I used for three years so the New Balance I got for Christmas last year and don't plan on switching anytime soon.. the only complaint I have with the New Balance were the shoe laces.. my right lace snapped while I was stretching before the game.. Luckily I was in the parking lot. I called Ump-Attire the next day to say they snapped on my first game while I was stretching and they sent out new black laces next day free of charge.

I just realized that this became a plug for Ump-Attire.. but must of these posts do. lol

[JaxRolo]

Shoes are like a CP . Buy the best. Reebok or NB.

People try to save money by buying inferior shoes.

(null)

[Triguy29]

I bought a pair of 3n2 field shoes. I had no idea about brands at the time. The soles are already peeling away from the uppers of the shoe. I have since bought the clod hopper (hahaha) New Balance Plate shoe. They have held up nicely and protected me from two direct hits but they are ugly and heavy as all heck. I am planning on getting the NB field shoes for next season.

[ukce1861]

I bought a pair of 3n2 field shoes. I had no idea about brands at the time. The soles are already peeling away from the uppers of the shoe. I have since bought the clod hopper (hahaha) New Balance Plate shoe. They have held up nicely and protected me from two direct hits but they are ugly and heavy as all heck. I am planning on getting the NB field shoes for next season.

I've got a pair of 3n2 base shoes that I bought last year and I love them. Far more comfortable than my NB base shoes were, in my opinion. If they're coming apart after a short time, I'd see if I couldn't return them and get them replaced. Mine have held up fine.

Just a word of caution on the NB base shoes; if your foot is at all wide, make sure you get a wide width - those things are tight.

[Triguy29]

I bought a pair of 3n2 field shoes. I had no idea about brands at the time. The soles are already peeling away from the uppers of the shoe. I have since bought the clod hopper (hahaha) New Balance Plate shoe. They have held up nicely and protected me from two direct hits but they are ugly and heavy as all heck. I am planning on getting the NB field shoes for next season.

I've got a pair of 3n2 base shoes that I bought last year and I love them. Far more comfortable than my NB base shoes were, in my opinion. If they're coming apart after a short time, I'd see if I couldn't return them and get them replaced. Mine have held up fine.

Just a word of caution on the NB base shoes; if your foot is at all wide, make sure you get a wide width - those things are tight.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to go to an officials store about an hour away from my house and try on a bunch of different equipment and shoes for next season. I did call the store about my shoes and they were kind of stand offish about it.

[Thunderheads]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to go to an officials store about an hour away from my house and try on a bunch of different equipment and shoes for next season. I did call the store about my shoes and they were kind of stand offish about it.

Don't do that, ... get in touch with 3n2, they should take care of you

[ukce1861]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to go to an officials store about an hour away from my house and try on a bunch of different equipment and shoes for next season. I did call the store about my shoes and they were kind of stand offish about it.

Don't do that, ... get in touch with 3n2, they should take care of you

Agreed - I'd go to the manufacturer and ask them to stand behind their product. They should make you whole.