Considering New Shinguards-UE Kevlar OR WV Pro Black

[umpstu]

Curious as to whether any MLB or MiLB guys are wearing UE yet?

I put CP on and adjusted it. Been punching and hitting myself in various places on the CP to test how it feels with impact. It is a substantial piece of equipment for sure. Gonna wear a mock under it as the Velcro around neck area is rubbing a bit.

Having a hard time deciding best place for shoulder cap pieces. That is Achilles' heel place on this CP in my initial opinion. The rest of it feels absolutely bulletproof.

Duh! It's Kevlar.

 

That's my experience, too. I have some pretty chafed skin on one side of my neck from the rubbing when I don't wear a mock. So I'm going to have to invest in some short-sleeve mocks now that the weather has warmed up a bit in NH, and I'm not going with the long sleeves every night. 

 

Otherwise, I continue to really like both the CP and shins. Plenty more hits to them both and no ill effects at all.

I did an 18 inning adventure early in the year and I had some bad blisters from the UE rubbing my neck raw. Part of the job. I would imagine if you are wearing any protector up high you might get rubbed raw.

[Majordave]

@umpirecordova

 

I am 5'9" and got the 18.5 as I like them up high onto my thighs.  They are very light, fit very snug and make you feel almost bulletproof.  By measuring and using their recommendation on website I should have ordered 16.5.

 

Hope that helps.

 

@Chip

 

I had to remove the neck extension piece as it was choking me when I raised my hands for foul balls or to put my mask on.  The poking went away. Upon inspection iI discovered that it was a place where the nylon was melted and had a sharp point on the extension piece poking me.  It won't matter as I took a look in the mirror and my neck is protected very well when in my plate stance without the neck extension piece.  I have 16.5 neck of normal length.  I can see where a long neck guy might need that extension piece.

 

@umpstu

 

Good to know.  I will probably just wear a mock on plate or take something with me like a handkerchief or small towel to protect my neck should it start to rub me.  No problem last night in 7 inning game with long sleeve mock underneath.

 

Report on first game with UE CP and Shins:   Nothing to report really.  Stiffness noted in both CP and shins.  No hits from baseballs.  CP seemed a bit hot but I was wearing the bottom extension and I have it adjusted very snugly in neck and at waist.  My former CP is the 10 inch WV Gold (Baby sized).

 

UE CP is much heavier than my WV Gold. Not sure how much heavier.  UE Shins seem to be about the same weight as DaviShins and same height coverage on my legs/thighs.  Same comfort level.

[T-Rav]

Here's some pic's. My advise is to try to get the maximum protection out of the plastic and kevlar lined shoulders, adjust them as you see fit. I'll try to get a few pic's up of me wearing it but I remember that for the first couple months that I owned it, the shoulders were really laying flat and there was enough room for a baseball to get in and cause some damage. 

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bym1kEV9xh2OWXRtUUhSYmJ5Ym53MFNJdk84ajRfS2otcnJv/edit?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bym1kEV9xh2OcFlQbXM0Sk8zZmlha0RsZjAzLXNiYlRVdms0/edit?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bym1kEV9xh2OdUJJNEJNWDJ4Q3ZlYjlZejhmelowWlktNDZR/edit?usp=sharing

[Majordave]

@T-Rav

Thanks. I think I've got mine canted forward and layered enough to provide the max protection it can give. I'll compare mine to your pics.

[gnhbua93]

I wonder if Jim evans was still Umpiring if he would wear it???

@JaxRolo I'm 99.9% sure that Evans will use it if he was still umpiring.

[JaxRolo]

I wonder if Jim evans was still Umpiring if he would wear it???

@JaxRolo I'm 99.9% sure that Evans will use it if he was still umpiring.

How do you know?

[Majordave]

I agree with gnhbua93.  I met Jim in October 2011 at the Topeka Premier Umpire Clinic.  We had some drinks together after he gave the opening night classes.  We hit it off as we are both educators (with degrees and everything) and ex-military guys.  Jim was in ROTC in college and in TX National Guard I believe, as a Lieutenant.  Anyone who has been through any of Jim's training knows he does it with some military style exercises and discipline.

 

During our second night of drinks and discussion he revealed to me that he was working with another company developing a new Chest Protector with Kevlar in it.  He kept telling me that I would understand since I served and had worn Kevlar and Body Armor.  He asked me not to tell anyone and I didn't until he announced it himself.

 

He let them hit him with it in the video.   He is a man of integrity in my opinion.  He had his own signature product mask with +POS.  I am sure he wore it in games and I just believe, in my heart, that he would wear Unequal gear if he was still working games in MLB. He has that kind of affect on you once you get to know him.   He truly and deeply believes in quality umpire training at every level.

 

My .02........

[Keefj200]

Any thoughts on the comparison between the Systems 7 shin guards and the UE?  

[grayhawk]

Any thoughts on the comparison between the Systems 7 shin guards and the UE?  

 

I have had both and the UE shins are superior, IMO.  One problem with the S7's is that the plastic plate doesn't extend far enough down at the bottom, which leaves a gap between the top of the metatarsal plate on the shoe and the bottom of the shin guard.  Also, the ankle flaps on the S7's tend to splay out too much whereas the ones on the UE lay flat.

 

The S7 straps (harness) is a little better, and both shins allow the padding to be removed and washed.  If having an extra plate above the knee is important, then the S7 2000 is the better choice since the UE has no plate above the knee.  Overall, I would take the UE over the S7 every time.

[goindeep]

Any pictures of the UE shins on?

[umpstu]

Any thoughts on the comparison between the Systems 7 shin guards and the UE?  

I've been hit in the shin while wearing each type of shin guards. UE felt no pain. All Star hurt very much. Was pretty shocked by the All Stars.

[JaxRolo]

I've never been hurt by a shot to my LG1000s

[Keefj200]

Just pulled the trigger on the UE shin guards - I just couldn't stand reading all the great reviews without giving them a whirl.  I trust I will like mine also.  Looking forward to trying them on.  

[Majordave]

I've worn them for 5 games so far and really like them.  Had to adjust a knee strap after game one but nothing since.  The ankle protector wings are a little stiff and rubbed the top of my ankle bones on game one and two but none after that. No blisters just felt the place they rubbed. The knee area was a little stiff on first two games as well but loosened up and moves fine now.  When I first put them on and walked from parking lot to field I felt a bit like Frankenstein or RoboCop walking stiff legged.  I wore DaviShins for all of my previous umpiring and they only had two straps on calves.  The knee straps took the first two games to get used to.  I wear tights underneath so no rubbing issues but if you don't have socks or tights you will probably have rubbing which could be very irritating to painful.  I recommend fitting them and wearing them around the house BEFORE you go work a game in them.  Walk up and down stairs in them as well to loosen them up.

 

Something I did not notice about them at first but when I was cleaning them after my 4 plate weekend on a very dusty field is that there are ventilation holes in the indents all up and down which explains the lightweight feel and the fact that they are not as hot as my DaviShins were.

 

Really great product.  You will not be disappointed.

[umpirecordova]

Does anyone have pictures of themselves wearing the UE shin guards? I would like to see some pics of how they fit and how far up the leg you guys wear them.

[Bkesler24]

@Thunderheads

Agreed but there is something pretty firm and hard in there too

(That's what she said. Sorry, I'm still a bit sophomoric. 51 going on 15.)

HaHaHa

[Keefj200]

I really do like the UE shin guards.  I have found them to be as advertised.  They are very very comfortable.  I did take a deflected shot this weekend that initially hit the batter. With my UE CP I definitely felt the shot - did it hurt - no!  But, I felt it.  I never felt anything with the Wilson Gold CP.  

[Thunderheads]

I really do like the UE shin guards.  I have found them to be as advertised.  They are very very comfortable.  I did take a deflected shot this weekend that initially hit the batter. With my UE CP I definitely felt the shot - did it hurt - no!  But, I felt it.  I never felt anything with the Wilson Gold CP.  

what level, Keefj?

[T-Rav]

I wore my new UE 18.5 shins this weekend for 7 games and I am very happy with the protection they offer. I took 5 shots to the shins this weekend, all in 18U summer ball showcase tournament, 4 of the shots were glancing and I barely felt the impact, just some slight pressure. I did take a direct shot on a fastball in the dirt that hit me mid-shin and just a loud whack sound and some pressure, I am sold on the protection these shins offer.

 

However I have been using the Bauer hockey shins and was slightly disappointed with how much these things weigh compared to the Bauers, with the Bauers I don't feel like I am wearing shins, with the UE's I definitely know I am wearing shins. They also seemed to have a much greater profile than my Bauer's. I think the ankle protection could be improved, at-least for me, it seems that the UE's protectors are a little to far back to cover the front of my ankle with the circular plastic/kevlar ankle protector.

 

In summary, I believe the protection offered by the UE shins is second to none and I will rely on them for the majority of my baseball games but will stick to the Bauers for softball. I believe they are very comfortable and hopefully will break in more after I work more plates using them; one of my fellow brothers this weekend said to his partner "here comes Robocop", so I must be walking like Robocop while wearing these, plus my shined shoes, pressed polywools, clean ballbag and shirt certainly aided in him rendering this observation. I will say that I wished the UE shins had a lower profile and felt less like I was wearing shin guards but there are some obvious trade offs that would need to be made in order to accommodate that but these shin guards in my opinion are better than their competitors.

[umpstu]

I wore my new UE 18.5 shins this weekend for 7 games and I am very happy with the protection they offer. I took 5 shots to the shins this weekend, all in 18U summer ball showcase tournament, 4 of the shots were glancing and I barely felt the impact, just some slight pressure. I did take a direct shot on a fastball in the dirt that hit me mid-shin and just a loud whack sound and some pressure, I am sold on the protection these shins offer.

 

However I have been using the Bauer hockey shins and was slightly disappointed with how much these things weigh compared to the Bauers, with the Bauers I don't feel like I am wearing shins, with the UE's I definitely know I am wearing shins. They also seemed to have a much greater profile than my Bauer's. I think the ankle protection could be improved, at-least for me, it seems that the UE's protectors are a little to far back to cover the front of my ankle with the circular plastic/kevlar ankle protector.

 

In summary, I believe the protection offered by the UE shins is second to none and I will rely on them for the majority of my baseball games but will stick to the Bauers for softball. I believe they are very comfortable and hopefully will break in more after I work more plates using them; one of my fellow brothers this weekend said to his partner "here comes Robocop", so I must be walking like Robocop while wearing these, plus my shined shoes, pressed polywools, clean ballbag and shirt certainly aided in him rendering this observation. I will say that I wished the UE shins had a lower profile and felt less like I was wearing shin guards but there are some obvious trade offs that would need to be made in order to accommodate that but these shin guards in my opinion are better than their competitors.

WOW! The Force 3's weigh about 1.5 pounds. Too heavy? 

[T-Rav]

 

I wore my new UE 18.5 shins this weekend for 7 games and I am very happy with the protection they offer. I took 5 shots to the shins this weekend, all in 18U summer ball showcase tournament, 4 of the shots were glancing and I barely felt the impact, just some slight pressure. I did take a direct shot on a fastball in the dirt that hit me mid-shin and just a loud whack sound and some pressure, I am sold on the protection these shins offer.

 

However I have been using the Bauer hockey shins and was slightly disappointed with how much these things weigh compared to the Bauers, with the Bauers I don't feel like I am wearing shins, with the UE's I definitely know I am wearing shins. They also seemed to have a much greater profile than my Bauer's. I think the ankle protection could be improved, at-least for me, it seems that the UE's protectors are a little to far back to cover the front of my ankle with the circular plastic/kevlar ankle protector.

 

In summary, I believe the protection offered by the UE shins is second to none and I will rely on them for the majority of my baseball games but will stick to the Bauers for softball. I believe they are very comfortable and hopefully will break in more after I work more plates using them; one of my fellow brothers this weekend said to his partner "here comes Robocop", so I must be walking like Robocop while wearing these, plus my shined shoes, pressed polywools, clean ballbag and shirt certainly aided in him rendering this observation. I will say that I wished the UE shins had a lower profile and felt less like I was wearing shin guards but there are some obvious trade offs that would need to be made in order to accommodate that but these shin guards in my opinion are better than their competitors.

WOW! The Force 3's weigh about 1.5 pounds. Too heavy? 

 

Compared to the Bauers I had been wearing, its a sizable difference. My experience may have been over exaggerated because of the amount of games I worked this weekend which made every ounce of gear feel significantly heavier. 

[umpstu]

 

 

I wore my new UE 18.5 shins this weekend for 7 games and I am very happy with the protection they offer. I took 5 shots to the shins this weekend, all in 18U summer ball showcase tournament, 4 of the shots were glancing and I barely felt the impact, just some slight pressure. I did take a direct shot on a fastball in the dirt that hit me mid-shin and just a loud whack sound and some pressure, I am sold on the protection these shins offer.

 

However I have been using the Bauer hockey shins and was slightly disappointed with how much these things weigh compared to the Bauers, with the Bauers I don't feel like I am wearing shins, with the UE's I definitely know I am wearing shins. They also seemed to have a much greater profile than my Bauer's. I think the ankle protection could be improved, at-least for me, it seems that the UE's protectors are a little to far back to cover the front of my ankle with the circular plastic/kevlar ankle protector.

 

In summary, I believe the protection offered by the UE shins is second to none and I will rely on them for the majority of my baseball games but will stick to the Bauers for softball. I believe they are very comfortable and hopefully will break in more after I work more plates using them; one of my fellow brothers this weekend said to his partner "here comes Robocop", so I must be walking like Robocop while wearing these, plus my shined shoes, pressed polywools, clean ballbag and shirt certainly aided in him rendering this observation. I will say that I wished the UE shins had a lower profile and felt less like I was wearing shin guards but there are some obvious trade offs that would need to be made in order to accommodate that but these shin guards in my opinion are better than their competitors.

WOW! The Force 3's weigh about 1.5 pounds. Too heavy? 

 

Compared to the Bauers I had been wearing, its a sizable difference. My experience may have been over exaggerated because of the amount of games I worked this weekend which made every ounce of gear feel significantly heavier. 

 

Then it's probably your legs and the cinder blocks you're using as plate shoes. Ha At least after seven games in one day. I know I can't and won't do more than three.

[Keefj200]

 

I really do like the UE shin guards.  I have found them to be as advertised.  They are very very comfortable.  I did take a deflected shot this weekend that initially hit the batter. With my UE CP I definitely felt the shot - did it hurt - no!  But, I felt it.  I never felt anything with the Wilson Gold CP.  

what level, Keefj?

 

Adult baseball - the pitch had nothing on it.  I was a bit surprised how much I felt it - but I do love the fit and feel of the UE CP. I will wear it until I get hurt.  I also have a WV Gold and a recent Douglas CP.  

[Thunderheads]

 

 

I really do like the UE shin guards.  I have found them to be as advertised.  They are very very comfortable.  I did take a deflected shot this weekend that initially hit the batter. With my UE CP I definitely felt the shot - did it hurt - no!  But, I felt it.  I never felt anything with the Wilson Gold CP.  

what level, Keefj?

 

Adult baseball - the pitch had nothing on it.  I was a bit surprised how much I felt it - but I do love the fit and feel of the UE CP. I will wear it until I get hurt.  I also have a WV Gold and a recent Douglas CP.  

 

[BaltimoreUmpire]

I won't start another Unequal thread I'll just ask this here, I can't tell from pictures but it appears the Unequeal CP is a soft shell protector, is this correct?