Shin Guards

[MidAmUmp]

Alright you gear gurus...

I need to ask Santa for some new shin guards.  Currently I have the WV gray and love them, but they're worn out.  So, give me your opinion on what's out there.  Yes, I know I should search the history, but I'm not going to.

 

I've narrowed my choices to a new pair of the WV gray, the All-Star System 7, and the new Champro Hockey style...not real sure about those, but curious.

 

Obviously I know all about the WV's.  But I'd like to know about the All-Star's and the Champro's.  Also, is there anything out there that I'm overlooking?  Please keep in mind that I routinely see pitchers throwing in the 90's, so I need some good protection, but a low profile.

 

Thanks for your help.  Who knows...if someone posts something prolific, maybe Santa will reward you with a clinic discount or something.

[Thunderheads]

Please search Jason!

 

 

Just kidding!

 

I have the All-Stars, the LG2000's and love them.  They "feel" like they're going to be bulky, but they aren't.  I have some pics if you need to see something (me on the field w/ them) .....but the Delta Flex Harness on the back is just fantastic!   Oddly enough, I took a few shots this past season and only felt pressure.  Also, ... you can remove the padding and wash them!   The only negative for me would be that the ankle protection/flap isn't tall enough, and depending on how you wear them, can 'fly' away a little bit, but overall, ...no problems .....

 

You can run your ass off in them and they stay PUT!

 

That's my .02

[VAUmp]

Davishins Davishins Davishins!

[MidAmUmp]

Please search Jason!

 

 

Just kidding!

 

I have the All-Stars, the LG2000's and love them.  They "feel" like they're going to be bulky, but they aren't.  I have some pics if you need to see something (me on the field w/ them) .....but the Delta Flex Harness on the back is just fantastic!   Oddly enough, I took a few shots this past season and only felt pressure.  Also, ... you can remove the padding and wash them!   The only negative for me would be that the ankle protection/flap isn't tall enough, and depending on how you wear them, can 'fly' away a little bit, but overall, ...no problems .....

 

You can run your ass off in them and they stay PUT!

 

That's my .02

I'm really leaning towards these.  Jim has a sale on them, plus I finally blew enough smoke up you poor bastard's asses to get a discount from them, so that's a pretty good deal.

 

I have the CP and love it.  I like that the padding can be removed/washed.

 

And just FYI - I try not to run my ass off as much as possible.  Thank God I have several 4-man games this spring.

[Thunderheads]

 

Please search Jason!

 

 

Just kidding!

 

I have the All-Stars, the LG2000's and love them.  They "feel" like they're going to be bulky, but they aren't.  I have some pics if you need to see something (me on the field w/ them) .....but the Delta Flex Harness on the back is just fantastic!   Oddly enough, I took a few shots this past season and only felt pressure.  Also, ... you can remove the padding and wash them!   The only negative for me would be that the ankle protection/flap isn't tall enough, and depending on how you wear them, can 'fly' away a little bit, but overall, ...no problems .....

 

You can run your ass off in them and they stay PUT!

 

That's my .02

I'm really leaning towards these.  Jim has a sale on them, plus I finally blew enough smoke up you poor bastard's asses to get a discount from them, so that's a pretty good deal.

 

I have the CP and love it.  I like that the padding can be removed/washed.

 

And just FYI - I try not to run my ass off as much as possible.  Thank God I have several 4-man games this spring.

 

understood .... my point,......IF you have to bust - ass, ...they won't go anywhere!     And, ... I'm a two-man guy, so I have to run more than you ...

[MidAmUmp]

Hell...I was just joking.  Because of taking plays with everything in front of you in 3 & 4-man, you end up having to work harder.  Running up to 1st to fill a hole, going to 3rd and then around beyond the base if the throw goes home, having to cover 2nd when zm1283 doesn't read our 3rd man and both of them go out...it's hard work.

[Thunderheads]

Hell...I was just joking.  Because of taking plays with everything in front of you in 3 & 4-man, you end up having to work harder.  Running up to 1st to fill a hole, going to 3rd and then around beyond the base if the throw goes home, having to cover 2nd when zm1283 doesn't read our 3rd man and both of them go out...it's hard work.

then I took it the wrong way, I read it moreso as .... you try to be in position and do it effectively and timely so you don't have to "run" ...  LOL

[BT_Blue]

I would vouch for the WV Pro (black) shins. But low profile they are not. Flipping back and forth between buying the S7 shins and shipping my WVs off to TW for a retrofit. With the sale, the difference in price is minimal.

[grayhawk]

Not another senseless gear thread!    

[Specks]

I have the All Star 1000, love the shin part but hate the ankle protection (or lack there of). If you normally see 90's I might be hesitant because of the ankle. What about the Douglas guards?

[umpstu]

 

Please search Jason!

 

 

Just kidding!

 

I have the All-Stars, the LG2000's and love them.  They "feel" like they're going to be bulky, but they aren't.  I have some pics if you need to see something (me on the field w/ them) .....but the Delta Flex Harness on the back is just fantastic!   Oddly enough, I took a few shots this past season and only felt pressure.  Also, ... you can remove the padding and wash them!   The only negative for me would be that the ankle protection/flap isn't tall enough, and depending on how you wear them, can 'fly' away a little bit, but overall, ...no problems .....

 

You can run your ass off in them and they stay PUT!

 

That's my .02

I'm really leaning towards these.  Jim has a sale on them, plus I finally blew enough smoke up you poor bastard's asses to get a discount from them, so that's a pretty good deal.

 

I have the CP and love it.  I like that the padding can be removed/washed.

 

And just FYI - I try not to run my ass off as much as possible.  Thank God I have several 4-man games this spring.

 

I used the lg 2000's and they indeed were very light. Great if you're running. Now, getting hit in the ankle was not a good thing. I was hit in the front of my ankle twice in the early part of the season and it hurt. Not a little hurt, but a , HURT. I umpire college ball as well and as good as the catching is, you never know how those 59 foot fastballs are going to react. I would recommend getting another pair of WV. As for myself I have asked Santa for a pair of Force 3 Unequal shin guards to go along with the chest protector. I love that chest protector.

[UmpireFever]

I wear the LG1000s. Yes they are light. Yes they are comfortable. The ankle protection is subpar. It's nothing more that two tiny plastic chips protecting you ankles that flare out because there is nothing holding them down. I took two shots in the ankle that hit plastic and thought I was going to die. I'll be getting the Douglas Shin guards this season.

[umpstu]

I wear the LG1000s. Yes they are light. Yes they are comfortable. The ankle protection is subpar. It's nothing more that two tiny plastic chips protecting you ankles that flare out because there is nothing holding them down. I took two shots in the ankle that hit plastic and thought I was going to die. I'll be getting the Douglas Shin guards this season.

Same here.

[slo8140]

They are expensive, but the Douglas shins are amazing. And when they wear out...you can have them reconditioned. I have the All-Stars and like them a lot, but they are now where near the total package you get with the Douglas Shins. I really hate the way the all-stars flair out at the ankles. The Douglas shins are made similar to the wilsons in the ankle area so you do not get the fly-away effect.

 

I have a pair of the Champros that I will sell you for $55 shipped. Never worn...new with tags. They are comfortable, but I like several other pairs that I own better. Bought them on a whim...so just trying to get some money back out of them.

[gnhbua93]

Please search Jason!

 

 

Just kidding!

 

I have the All-Stars, the LG2000's and love them.  They "feel" like they're going to be bulky, but they aren't.  I have some pics if you need to see something (me on the field w/ them) .....but the Delta Flex Harness on the back is just fantastic!   Oddly enough, I took a few shots this past season and only felt pressure.  Also, ... you can remove the padding and wash them!   The only negative for me would be that the ankle protection/flap isn't tall enough, and depending on how you wear them, can 'fly' away a little bit, but overall, ...no problems .....

 

You can run your ass off in them and they stay PUT!

 

That's my .02

You're serious about the search with everybody else but MidAm.  That's WRONG

[BT_Blue]

@slo8140

what are your thoughts on the Champros? I was considering getting a pair but I am not sure.

[johnnyg08]

I'm a big fan of my Douglas shins.

They're expensive, but they're sweet!

[Platejob29]

Go pick up a pair of WV Pro shins. Great protection and super comfortable. Not as low profile as the All-Stars but they do protect better. I have both and I love the way the All-Stars fit but they just don't offer enough for protection for me to feel comfortable wearing them in high school and college games. The shots I did take with them weren't exactly painful but they didn't exactly feel good either. As for the WV Pros I've never had a shot hit them that I even felt.

[MidAmUmp]

How much does it cost to have Douglas guards reconditioned?

[Thunderheads]

How much does it cost to have Douglas guards reconditioned?

jeffcook@douglaspads.com

 

[Specks]

How much does it cost to have Douglas guards reconditioned?

$40. Jeff will clean the pads and replace the straps, clips and d-rings and anything else that needs it. He just did mine and it's great.

[HM_SanDiego]

Following along with the previous comments -

 

-- I believe you would be hard-pressed to get a better bang for your all-around buck, combining value, protection, and relatively low-profile, than what the West Vest Pro Platinum Charcoal shin guards (A3417) offer. The one small (in my opinion) concession is that these guards are on the heavier side, but, the protection is second to none.

 

With current Holiday sales opportunities - prices for the WV Pro Platinum shin guards are consistently $79.95 - $89.95 + shipping - so my suggestion would be to find the best out the door price and order up WV Pro Platinum shin guards.

 

Your mileage may vary.....

[GerryB]

I'm a big fan of my Douglas shins.

They're expensive, but they're sweet!

I've had a pair for years; not low profile, but awesome protection.

[HM_SanDiego]

 

I'm a big fan of my Douglas shins.

They're expensive, but they're sweet!

I've had a pair for years; not low profile, but awesome protection.

 

 

The Douglas shin guards look great, and they are reportedly lighter than the Wilsons, & one can readily see the design similarities between Douglas and the Wilson Platinums - but for me - it would be tough if not impossible to spend twice the money on the Douglas guards - currently $169.95 vs. $79.95 (Douglas vs Wilson)

 

So - Douglas is offering arguably the same "best" protection available, with the trade-off that seems to be a slight edge to Douglas for reportedly slightly lower-profile, for lighter weight (no idea what the actual weight difference is), and for re-condition-ability - at a purchase cost though - twice the price (Douglas over Wilson WV Platinum Charcoal).

 

Happy shopping.

[MidAmUmp]

I have hopefully got the deal of the century. I found a pair of Douglas guards online this morning for $20 from a consignment shop. Pics show some minor damage that Douglas can repair...rusted clips and a tear in the padding at the bottom of one of the guards. Other than that the pics look in good shape. Douglas said the can do it for $50 plus shipping. So Douglas guards for about $80.