Schutt Air Flex "2".......and.......

[NoCal Blue]

While looking for something unrelated, I ran across two chest protectors that I thought this group might find interesting.

 

 

The first is the Schutt Air Flex "2". The original Air Flex was discussed on this site in 2010. You can do a search to find the thread. Looks like they may have addressed some of the problems identified at that time.

 

Here is the Pic;

 

The other is a Belgard CP out of Japan. I believe that this may have been discussed on another site. You can have one for around 62,000 yen or $656.50 not including shipping. Just something for you gear junkies to think about.

 

[Called3rdStrike]

The schutt looks like something I might be interested in trying out.

The Japanese CP reminds me of the DavisShield. We all know how that turned out.

[NoCal Blue]

The schutt looks like something I might be interested in trying out.

The Japanese CP reminds me of the DavisShield. We all know how that turned out.

 

Umpires use the Belgard for Pro Ball in Japan.

[BalkHawk]

$656- must be kevlar.

[gnhbua93]

$656- must be kevlar.

For that price I rater pay the $280 of the kevlar made UE CP, purchase American made and support an American business.

[T-Rav]

It must come with a NIike mask.

[Called3rdStrike]

http://www.facebook.com/gostopcallcom

Interesting japanese equipment on here. A wilson gold that comes without the pec pads. And a bunch of the Belgrad protectors.

[Jocko]

There is an in depth discussion on ABUA forum. I googled the cp and stumbled across it. Pete from Midwest blog had one he seemed to like initially. I'd love to see the AF2 up close.

[Thunderheads]

That Air Flex 2 actually looks exactly like the original version except for the color of the plastic, and maybe the throat area (black padding)

[Jocko]

Jeff, since you're so chummy with schutt, get us some info on the 2.

[Thunderheads]

Jeff, since you're so chummy with schutt, get us some info on the 2.

 

[Umpire in Chief]

I seem to recall Pete at the Midwest ump not caring for the first version. I believe it even cracked on his drop test.

[Thunderheads]

I seem to recall Pete at the Midwest ump not caring for the first version. I believe it even cracked on his drop test.

SUPPOSEDLY, ..... Schutt wrote Pete a letter (email? can't remember) ..... and it said that what they sent was a prototype only and wasn't supposed to be "used" but only to be "tried on" for fit and to see what it's like, and THAT is why it cracked, it wasn't "production".   The being said, I don't recall Schutt telling Pete this fact BEFORE or WITH the package when they sent the CP to Pete...

[slo8140]

I have an air flex 1. Bought from Jeff

Don't use it very often. Have had no issues with it. Not a fan of the way the harness works. Not very adjustable. The main issue with the AF1 was that a shot to the plastic plate that curve around the front of the clavicle could cause it to dig in through the padding.

[Jocko]

Looks like a good concept, but.... No thanks. The original "white" ones are <$100

[MidAmUmp]

I seem to recall Pete at the Midwest ump not caring for the first version. I believe it even cracked on his drop test.

He worked a game in a tournament for me a couple summers ago.  I went to watch him work the plate and didn't think he had a chest protector on, it was so low profile.  He told me what it was and I was kind of impressed until he told me he wouldn't wouldn't wear it in a HS game, much less any higher level.

 

Who knows if they've made improvements.

[MadMax]

I have the original AiR Flex CP, and got it because it's a Schutt; I used a Schutt AiR helmet and shoulder pads through all four years of high school football and got some intense brand loyalty. This CP has been used on a few community college -level games (and of course many many below this), and I feel dramatically more secure with this over the soft vest I had before (an All-Star one). You're right on the "linebacker" look (someone mentioned it on the AiR Flex V1's thread)... it's overly roomy in the shoulders, and I'm not too keen on it, given that I wore their shoulder pads in football because they were low-profile, which is all I needed as a wide receiver / free safety. Although, it does give me that imposing behind-the-plate-figure.

 

Schutt's second version (AiR Flex CP2, the one at the top of the thread) evidently has an abdomen extension, which would be a nice consideration on someone like myself who is 6'2" and often umpires U9-U10, where the catchers occasionally forget they're catchers.

 

What I would like to see, more than anything, is some over-the-shoulder shaping in the understructure. I can't get the harness tight enough to hold the yoke down, and hold the curve of the shoulder caps over my shoulders (instead of in front of). Look at the photo itself, the CP just lends itself to becoming this "wall" that hangs on you, and while the torso gets nicely form fitting, the shoulders don't, and after a few innings, start to "rise up" on you, and soon it looks like you've got horns growing out of your shoulders. Now, this new version supposedly solves that, and I'm considering getting one to try out. Or, if someone from Schutt is reading this and we can work out a supply / outfitting arrangement.

 

Don't get me wrong, I like it, and will wax poetic about it to my fellow umpires. I'll be headed to Cooperstown this summer, this time for a month, and I'll be showing this off to the guys (last year, all I had was that measley All-Star softie). Other brands aren't a consideration of mine any more (although there is a Champro that's rather attractive), but I would like to see Schutt progress this model. Diversity and choice are good things in the market. 

[bam]

I have an air flex 1. Bought from Jeff

Don't use it very often. Have had no issues with it. Not a fan of the way the harness works. Not very adjustable. The main issue with the AF1 was that a shot to the plastic plate that curve around the front of the clavicle could cause it to dig in through the padding.

That's not the one you sold me?

 

I've used it for several MS and JV games.  I haven't taken a shot with it, so I have no information to add on protection.

 

It's nice and light, tho.  

 

I need to fashion something to put biceps pads on.  

[BigUmpire]

I have a Schutt Air Flex "2".

 

It is good for MS ball and 16U rec ball.

 

It is the only CP that fits me well.

 

It is extremely cool in hot weather.

[JaxRolo]

I have a Schutt Air Flex "2".

 

 

 

It is good for MS ball and 16U rec ball.

 

 

 

It is the only CP that fits me well.

 

 

 

It is extremely cool in hot weather.

Built in AC?

[BigUmpire]

 

I have a Schutt Air Flex "2".

 

 

 

It is good for MS ball and 16U rec ball.

 

 

 

It is the only CP that fits me well.

 

 

 

It is extremely cool in hot weather.

Built in AC?

There are the special beads in the CP that actually cool you.

It works!

[MadMax]

 

 

I have a Schutt Air Flex "2".

 

 

 

It is good for MS ball and 16U rec ball.

 

 

 

It is the only CP that fits me well.

 

 

 

It is extremely cool in hot weather.

Built in AC?

There are the special beads in the CP that actually cool you.

It works!

 

 

I'll second that sentiment. The Brock Beads, as a secondary benefit to their primary role of energy dissipation, actually do promote airflow and contribute to the exceptionally light / lite feel of the CP. With BigUmpire's insight, now I really want to try out the AiRFlex CP2. Too bad Schutt doesn't do a trade-in option. I'm actually considering taking my AiRFlex CP1 to an equipment re-conditioner and have them custom attach some additional straps (in other words, make a new harness) for it to get those shoulders to curve, and stay curved.

[jkumpire]

http://www.go-stop-call.com/belgard_protector.html

 

You ought to take a look at this site. Has a ton of interesting stuff on it. It looks like they have about a million color combinations of mask padding with a very different design to it. Looks comfortable to me quite frankly.

 

But the posted URL is to the protector page, That protector looks very interesting. It has several different designs over a basic pad set. I assume the more expensive ones have more padding and/or some kind of hard shell over the inner padding. The shoulders look very well armored, and it looks like they reinforced the area of the heart with different and extra padding than the rest of the protector. It looks pretty thin up top so it might not fit broad chested and big shouldered people, but I kind of like it. It also has a bunch of colors to it, They have a bright gray/off white color and an off white/bright gray with a gold chest area that look good in photos, along with black ones.

 

If anyone could translate the site fromJapanese it might be interesting to look at them. As to another poster above I agree with his point, but if the protector they sell is made in Japan as opposed ot the US it's a lot better than all the manufacturers who build their stuff via slave labor in China.

 

As a side note they sell +POS stuff, including the famous Joe Brinkman scraper plate brush, and shin guards. I wish they had old +POS harnesses, they were good. Interesting enough they didn't have any of the small plate brushes Jim Evans used to sell that were supposedly all the rage in Japan a few years ago. 

 

I will send off an e-mail to them and see what I get in return!

 

Note: they also sell team Wendy pads!

[bluegorilla]

I met a guy at a 300+ team fast pitch tourney last year from Houston . He had the Air flex 2 with 2 liners he had custom made by Shutt that were freezable . He would freeze them over night and alternate them during the day . Seemed like a great rig for lower level tourney ball .

[jkumpire]

I receieved and e-mail from the site owners today. Very nice note. Will report more later.