Leather Pads

[catcher]

I started out umpiring with vinyl pads and have since used synthetic pads. I am considering getting leather pads because when I start to sweat the synthetic pads irritate my face. So, my question is: do leather pads get slippery like vinyl? I liked that I didn't slide around in the synthetic, but obviously didn't like the irritation.

[T-Rav]

Team Wendy pads, once you go to them you'll never go back. 

[catcher]

I'v heard the same from others but before I get them I still would like to know if leather is slippery once you get sweaty.

[MPLSUMP]

They don't get slippery. I sweat like crazy and mine would dry out pretty easy. I'm switching to the TW's for this year.

[catcher]

Which ones do you have?

[HM_SanDiego]

My experience with synthetic/vinyl pads (my first mask had vinyl pads) vs leather pads is exactly what you are talking about - in that - vinyl/synthetic pads "do" get slippery with sweat because the material is not pourous, meaning, the sweat beads up on top of the pad surface. Leather tends to absorb some, not all, sweat, under the same circumstances, and leather pads do "not" get slippery. With proper care leather pads will last for years.

Many guys will recommend that you go with team Wendy's pads for the best protection, so consider that, but, team wendys pads are covered in a material, which many guys with your same concerns (irritating the face) say team wendympads do "not" do.

One suggestion - buy a set of team Wendy's pads and try em - wash them in a perforated laundry bag - give em a couple games of use - and see for yourself - worst case is you sell em to someone here - almost guaranteed.

[catcher]

Great. I'm thinking I'll get a mask with leather pads and then add team wendy's, so I'll have both.

[MPLSUMP]

Synthetic that came with my Diamond mask. I get some irritation if its hot and its a day or two after shaving.

[BT_Blue]

Used leather/doeskin pads for years before going to TW. Loved the feel and cushion of leather and do not recall any slipping. However, simce going to the Team Wendy's last year, I refuse to wear anything else.

[catcher]

That does it.

 

http://www.baseballplusstore.com/all-star-fm25ump-hollow-umpires-mask-with-light-ultracool-pads.html

 

FM25 with leather pads, here I come!

[BT_Blue]

Same price I paid for mine through Ebay + tan TW pads from Honigs.

[midtnump]

That does it.

 

http://www.baseballplusstore.com/all-star-fm25ump-hollow-umpires-mask-with-light-ultracool-pads.html

 

FM25 with leather pads, here I come!

Hey catcher, I like your choice here.  I had a Wilson with the synthetic pads and agree about the sweat iritation. I sold it and bought the AllStar 4000, and I must say that I have become a fan of their LUC pads. They don't grab the stubble and didn't iritate me in the heat. They make good equipment.

[JaxRolo]

You have a leather fetish? Get TW for comforts and safety! Sent Via Telekinesis

[catcher]

You have a leather fetish? Get TW for comforts and safety! Sent Via Telekinesis

You don't judge me, I don't judge you. What we do behind home plate is our own business

[jkumpire]

You have a leather fetish? Get TW for comforts and safety! Sent Via Telekinesis

 

Jax,

 

I love my TW's too, but after two years, I'm not totally sold on them to the extent I will neaver wear leather again. This may well be because I've worn leather for almost 30 years, but TW's cause my face some irritation and I sweat a lot.

[Kevin_K]

TW all the way. I would take irrtation all day every day versus scrambled brains.

[BT_Blue]

Yes, but there isnt even irritation from the TW pads.

[JaxRolo]

I do have a mask with the grey pads. But still prefer my TW Sent Via Telekinesis

[umpstu]

Don't be hating on me, but Team Wendy's have yet to stop my jaws from hurting after a good hit any better than the stock leather pads did with my Wilson low profile titanium mask. I wish I could say that there was a definitive difference, but I couldn't tell any. I switched to a standard profile mask just recently and will let you know how that goes. I will use this mask until a new one comes out this spring.

 

As far as the leather goes, they are nice. I didn't have any issues at all with slippage or irritation. If you get the tan ones, or the black with tan interior they do stain when you sweat. Other than I have always used leather pads. 

[umpstu]

 

You have a leather fetish? Get TW for comforts and safety! Sent Via Telekinesis

 

Jax,

 

I love my TW's too, but after two years, I'm not totally sold on them to the extent I will neaver wear leather again. This may well be because I've worn leather for almost 30 years, but TW's cause my face some irritation and I sweat a lot.

 

I posted about TW pads not doing anything differently in the amount of soreness I have in the jaw area after being hit. I can't tell any difference. 

[JaxRolo]

Don't be hating on me, but Team Wendy's have yet to stop my jaws from hurting after a good hit any better than the stock leather pads did with my Wilson low profile titanium mask. I wish I could say that there was a definitive difference, but I couldn't tell any. I switched to a standard profile mask just recently and will let you know how that goes. I will use this mask until a new one comes out this spring.   As far as the leather goes, they are nice. I didn't have any issues at all with slippage or irritation. If you get the tan ones, or the black with tan interior they do stain when you sweat. Other than I have always used leather pads. 

Maybe you are wearing your mask backwards! Sent Via Telekinesis

[kylejt]

Every shot is different, so it's really hard to compare if one pad is performing better than another.

 

That said, I've shaken off several square shots with the TW pads, that I could swear would have sent me for a loop with any other. Yeah, my ears still rang. And yeah, I did feel them. I just think the TW are doing a better job than anything else I've used.

[umpstu]

 

Don't be hating on me, but Team Wendy's have yet to stop my jaws from hurting after a good hit any better than the stock leather pads did with my Wilson low profile titanium mask. I wish I could say that there was a definitive difference, but I couldn't tell any. I switched to a standard profile mask just recently and will let you know how that goes. I will use this mask until a new one comes out this spring.   As far as the leather goes, they are nice. I didn't have any issues at all with slippage or irritation. If you get the tan ones, or the black with tan interior they do stain when you sweat. Other than I have always used leather pads. 

Maybe you are wearing your mask backwards! Sent Via Telekinesis

 

Sometimes I'm left wondering if I was wearing a mask. ha

[Majordave]

I have not tried Team Wendy's pads yet.  I had those pads in my helmet in Afghanistan so I have some experience with the feel and technology.  I am a leather pad man (leather fetish maybe?  Hahaha).  Had Traditional Wilson tan doeskin with MLB logo for years and wish I could find them again as mine finally wore a hole in the chin pad this past fall.  I am probably going to take the TW plunge this spring. I also have black leather (Doeskin? can't tell due to the black but looks more polished/shiny than dull tan doeskin) in traditional shape.  Love them. Wear them on a Wilson Titanium low profile mask and get hit fairly often.    I have also worn Wilson black amara wraparound pads, Wilson Pigskin? black leather wraparounds, Wilson black front/tan doeskin back wraparounds and Wilson navy vinyl front with tan leather back and Wilson light gray gray vinyl front with tan leather (not sure if doeskin) backs that touch your face.  I have danced with multiple mask pads.  I think I also had some All Star, almost orange colored tan, doeskin traditional pads too.

 

To me the key to avoiding injury, regardless of the style and type of pad you wear is the harness tension.......

 

I wear the harness so loose that the mask sits on the bill of my six stitch cap and spins off of my head when hit by a ball.  I do not feel a thing.  (That's what my ex-wife said, haha again).  Seriously, in my humble opinion, the best thing to avoid pain, headache, concussion, head ring, bell ring, jaw sore, etc. is a LOOSE MASK HARNESS.  I was taught this/told this/read this via either the Officiating.com forum or ABUA forum in my first year of baseball umpiring and it really has worked for me.  

 

I have been hit by foul balls, tips off the catcher's mitt and direct hits from the pitcher's hand to my facemask at NCAA D1 down to Little League 12 year olds multiple times at all levels and the loose mask is, I say again, THE KEY.  

 

My two cents..............

 

Cheers...........

[catcher]

An inch off the face when you lean down, right?