Geezer Alert, Old Man looking for Breathable CP

[jkumpire]

Alright, I'm old. I had an original Wilson inside protector with the metal bars in them for protection. I bought a brand new +POS BB204 when it was considered the best in umpire protection unless you used a raft or went to see Cece Carlucci. I also purchased an origina Honigs K1 when they first came out, and a 1st year Douglas West Vest.  I have plate brushes older than most partners I work with. My firsat mask was a Rawlings PWM1 circa 1981. 

 

Well, today was the first 90 degree, 90+% humidity day of the season, and I had a 2.5 hour plate game (I discussed it on another thread). I roasted in my Carlucci today, and got a little tired in the 6th. I need a lightweight but effective CP for college level ball that will top a decent shot and not slowly cook me behind the plate. Especially for you men in the South where it gets sort of warm in the summer, what lightweight protector do you recommend? $$$ is no object. I want the best.

 

 

Thank you for your collective wisdom.

[T-Rav]

I think instead of trying to change chest protectors, throw the rite temp cooling pads underneath the chest protector and you'll be comfortable as you can possibly be. The company that made them, HTFX Inc. has been out of business for a few months and the only products that are available are the back pad. But Ump-Attire says that the company is trying to reorganize so we may see production of the cooling pads in the future.

 

The cool back is the only available alternative to the rite temp endurance pads but it works just as well as the pads do and uses the same endurance cooling agent. I'll take some pictures of the endurance cool back, endurance pad, and the child sized endurance vest(all the had left). The cool back is similar in size and length as the endurance pads and I can't really tell a difference between the two.

 

BTW. A shout out to JaxRolo for being a great roommate at the FCU camp and being so kind enough to send me a Endurance Pad. 

 

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RT-COOLBACK&Category_Code=

 

http://www.gerrydavis.com/mm5/category/CFO

[jkumpire]

I have the cooling vest already and I am very disappointed in it. I can;t carry it any distance without warming it up and the one time I wore it it gave out after about 5 innings and I roasted in it, after having it in the fridge for hours before the game.  I have thought about purchasing the back pad and using it inside or tearing apart the vest to get some cells into a form I can use. Neither alternative looks promising.

[acpar72]

I sent you a pm regarding my All Star System 7. Its for sale if you want it. 

[WES2006AG]

I have owned several chest protectors and can't say I could tell the difference in heat between any of them. But that may just be because its usually incredibly hot here in Houston.

[kylejt]

The vinyl Carlucci combined with a cotton t-shirt was state of the art not that long ago. Now, it's a sweat factory.

 

The System 7 is protective, and cooler. Use it with a modern undershirt, and you'll be a ton better off.

[BigUmpire]

I am old too and call here in Georgia and  I have tried all of them .

By far the Schutt Air Flex 2 Umpire Chest Protector is the coolest.

It has these little beads that keep you cool.

http://www.schuttsports.com/aspx/Sport/ProductCatalog.aspx?id=978

 

[jkumpire]

The vinyl Carlucci combined with a cotton t-shirt was state of the art not that long ago. Now, it's a sweat factory.

 

The System 7 is protective, and cooler. Use it with a modern undershirt, and you'll be a ton better off.

 

Cotton T-shirt? Are you serious Kyle? I may be old but I'm not stupid....

 

The Carlucci is not that bad even if it is vinyl, but it sure was yesterday, never had the problem before.

[SJA]

Cotton T-shirts? HA! Anyone remember when it was recommended or SOP to wear thermal long johns for summer games? The "theory" was to sweat and once they were saturated, it would keep you cool . . . and it did work, somewhat.

:-)

[bam]

I am old too and call here in Georgia and  I have tried all of them .

By far the Schutt Air Flex 2 Umpire Chest Protector is the coolest.

It has these little beads that keep you cool.

http://www.schuttsports.com/aspx/Sport/ProductCatalog.aspx?id=978

 

 

The OP said "college-level".  I used this for a U13 and almost lost my collar bone. 

 

But I'm willing to sell it at a great price

[BigUmpire]

 

I am old too and call here in Georgia and  I have tried all of them .

By far the Schutt Air Flex 2 Umpire Chest Protector is the coolest.

It has these little beads that keep you cool.

http://www.schuttsports.com/aspx/Sport/ProductCatalog.aspx?id=978

 

 

The OP said "college-level".  I used this for a U13 and almost lost my collar bone. 

 

But I'm willing to sell it at a great price

 

I took a shot from HS pitcher throwing at 95. No problems.  Not as good as WVG BUT just lucky i guess.

[GerryB]

Ouch - Rawlings PWM1 w/Steve Yeager dangler and the "George Barr" Wilson CP over a cotton T. Those were the days!

[Stan W.]

I tend to agree with T-Rav as to searching ways to make heat more bearable rather than looking for a protector that is breathable............of course Im hoping technology comes along that can accomplish both! .......I hope I've always consistently ut forth the "protection first stance"........Im not willing to sacrifice protection for less heat....heat Im afraid, is  just a result of our protective needs meeting the July weather......

 

when I got hurt badly with a ribbed protector, I switched to the +POS BB2000 samurai warrior CP.......outstanding protection.....but undoubtedly a furnace..........like the carlucci it had a vinyl interior that melted me .........then I became aware of the WV products and found they were lighter, cooler and more protective.......sold....

 

Now Im planning on an end of season retro fit of my Plat with TW padding and a delta flex harness.......combining what I feel is the best technology available.......

 

So I guess my reccomendation is a refit of a WV product with TW..........good wicking performance undershirts.......and cooling vest needed.

[bluegorilla]

http://www.coolvest.com/RPCM_Cooling_Vest/Recreation.aspx 

[Jesse]

http://www.coolvest.com/RPCM_Cooling_Vest/Recreation.aspx 

Only from a Florida umpire

[jkumpire]

Cotton T-shirts? HA! Anyone remember when it was recommended or SOP to wear thermal long johns for summer games? The "theory" was to sweat and once they were saturated, it would keep you cool . . . and it did work, somewhat.

:-)

 

I'd go through 2 Union Suits a season... they were not thermals though. 

 

On a side note: Did a DH last night and soaked through 2 pains of pants, one behind the plate, the other on the bases, with MacDavid leggings on underneath and moisture wicking shirts on top. Went through 3 liter bottle of water between games 1 and 2. 

[jkumpire]

Ouch - Rawlings PWM1 w/Steve Yeager dangler and the "George Barr" Wilson CP over a cotton T. Those were the days!

 

Had that exact mask combo! Wore it at Harry's in 1985. If I could do it all again....

 

What shin guards and plate shoes did you wear? Dollars to donuts it was a pair of Spotbilts and Rawling shin guards, though I might have gone on to +POS guards by then.. 

[GerryB]

Actually I had those old Wilsons, the tan and blacks. Spotbilts for shoes!

Moved to a +POS BB203 in '85.

Tried a "Randy Marsh" Hutch/Reach CP hated it, sold it (though it looked cool), then an original Douglas WV when I missed the boat on the Donzis and the Riddells.

I still have the Yeager dangler, somewhere.

[jkumpire]

Loved Randy at Harry's, great man. Great idea his CP's were, but they were awful. Anyone every wear Pony base shoes? I loved my pair and wore them for years.  

[gnhbua93]

 

Ouch - Rawlings PWM1 w/Steve Yeager dangler and the "George Barr" Wilson CP over a cotton T. Those were the days!

 

Had that exact mask combo! Wore it at Harry's in 1985. If I could do it all again....

 

What shin guards and plate shoes did you wear? Dollars to donuts it was a pair of Spotbilts and Rawling shin guards, though I might have gone on to +POS guards by then.. 

 

 

 

Actually I had those old Wilsons, the tan and blacks!

Moved to a +POS BB203 in '85.

Tried a "Randy Marsh" Hutch/Reach CP hated it, sold it (though it looked cool), then an original Douglas WV when I missed the boat on the Donzis and the Riddells.

I still have the Yeager dangler, somewhere.

 

 

Loved Randy at Harry's, great man. Great idea his CP's were, but they were awful. Anyone every wear Pony base shoes? I loved my pair and wore them for years.  

The other day, I was talking to a NCAA Women's Basketball assignor who went to Harry's in 1985.  I asked him about the equipment that was used back in the day.  He totally confirms was is being said here.

[floydthebarber]

Hello all. I have used the 2nd version of the Air-Flex (not the newest iteration that is pictured in this thread) for the better part of last season and this one, and and for the most part it works as advertised. In the hottest of weather it performs better than any that I have ever owned and used. However, in a men's league game a week ago I took a shot that made me go back to an old Wilson (I almost went all the way back to my relic "The Ump" hardshell). I have included an image describing the impact.

 

I contacted Schutt and they are going to take this one back and send me the new version along with something called a "snubber", which apparently will solve the shifting arch plate issue. I was very satisfied with their customer service by the way, very professional and polite.

 

But even with this I went and ordered the All-Star System 7 CP. I don't want to take a shot like that again, it lifted a baseball sized knot on my shoulder/back and hurt for days.

[slo8140]

I took a shot in the place on mine. I have since sold it. Hurt. Was a very breathable protector

[MadMax]

I use and swear by the Schutt AiR Flex. I have done high-school age with it, and taken some shots with it that, while loud, haven't caused any damage.

@floyd - I'm not saying you're wearing it wrong, but I've got mine heavily formed and trained to wrap-and-cap my shoulders, very akin to football shoulder pads (which Schutt is known for). I saw a fellow umpire wearing an AiR Flex, and he just let his hang on him like an apron... I wasn't going to point out that he was wearing it wrong (I was just too tired for the discussion), but I have to say that the comfort level and protection are increased if you can achieve a snug, almost custom-formed fit.

I'd like to hear how the AiR Flex CP2 (the charcoal one) appeals to you. From what I've been told, the CP2 has more preformed curvature to the shoulders.

It genuinely is a Godsend on hot days without compromising protection. While you do sweat in it, it doesn't hold that sweat and get heavier.

As far as level of baseball it's most effective at – like I said, I've done high-school age with it confidently. If I was going to do collegiate or exposure or minors-level, I would take a good hard look at and into it... And I would probably get a CP2 or an Unequal.

[floydthebarber]

@MadMax, I absolutely agree with you about the superb level of comfort with the AiR Flex, and if I hadn't taken that shot there is no doubt that I would not have gone and purchased the All-Star CP. Even on the hottest of hottest days it allows for some air transfer and as you say it doesn't seem to absorb and hold your sweat at all. In fact when I take it off after working a brutal high 90's day behind the plate I find that it only has light surface moisture on the rippled, brock bead padding. I can't say enough how satisfied I was with the AiR Flex in every way until that impact. Up until then it handled every shot to it's surface like a champ in mens league action, even shaking off some 90+ shots as well.

 

As far as my CP it is a pretty good fit and doesn't sag too much. I take it that you manually manipulated the plates to increase the curvature. I tried doing that but was worried that I might snap them if I applied too much pressure. I'll let you know how the new one differs when I try it out.