CHEST PROTECTOR

[aiber]

I know that this has been written about ad nauseam and I have read several topics regarding the issue so forgive me in advance.

I was originally thinking the WV Gold CP for $146 at batter's choice with FREE SHIPPING. Now I am thinking the Schutt XV for around $90 because I read that it is lighter, not as bulky and you don't sweat as much.

Please provide your thoughts.....Thanks

[Thunderheads]

Well, I agree, you've read a lot about some of this on the boards, but to be honest, ...I don't think I've ever seen this question.

 

My opinion is this: (regardless of what age group or level you're doing)

You're in South Florida, ...you're going to sweat regardless of what CP you have on.  Get the BEST equipment you can because you won't regret it!

 

I'm sure if you've read on here already, that others vehemently agree!

[johnnyg08]

Get the West Vest.

[Thunderheads]

Get the West Vest.

see what I mean @aiber?

[JaxRolo]

Schutt ???? NO

[th3]

I love my wilson charcoal (s)

[conbo61]

I love my wilson charcoal (s)

Ditto. No issues whatsoever with this CP for me.

[blue23ll]

If those were my choices, I would go with the West Vest, no doubt. 

[UmpJeff]

I'm pretty partial to my Wilson WV Platinum.

[aiber]

If those were my choices, I would go with the West Vest, no doubt.

What other choices would you consider?

[Thunderheads]

 

If those were my choices, I would go with the West Vest, no doubt.

What other choices would you consider?

 

OK....NOW we're moving into a territory where you have EVERYTHING you need to answer this question already posted within the equipment forum

[aiber]

If those were my choices, I would go with the West Vest, no doubt.

What other choices would you consider?

OK....NOW we're moving into a territory where you have EVERYTHING you need to answer this question already posted within the equipment forum

That is fair.

[Thunderheads]

 

 

 

If those were my choices, I would go with the West Vest, no doubt.

What other choices would you consider? OK....NOW we're moving into a territory where you have EVERYTHING you need to answer this question already posted within the equipment forum

That is fair.

 

 thanks! 

 

You'll find however, that the overwhelming consensus is:

-West Vest Gold or Platinum

-Douglas

-All-Star CP4000 System 7

-Force3 Unequal

[D62 blue]

Schutt ???? NO

WHY ?????

[MidAmUmp]

 

 

 

 

If those were my choices, I would go with the West Vest, no doubt.

What other choices would you consider? OK....NOW we're moving into a territory where you have EVERYTHING you need to answer this question already posted within the equipment forum

That is fair.

 

 thanks! 

 

You'll find however, that the overwhelming consensus is:

-West Vest Gold or Platinum

-Douglas

-All-Star CP4000 System 7

-Force3 Unequal

 

 

I've had all of these except the Unequal - and won't ever own that one, but that's another story...

 

If your budget isn't restricted, I would suggest the All-Star System 7 because you can purchase replacement padding and harness. The shell isn't really going to wear down, it's the padding and harness so if you can replace those every couple of years at a very reasonable price, you've got a CP for life.

 

Plus the padding is removable/machine washable. I do that a couple times a year.

 

At least that's how I look at it...

[bam]

 

Schutt ???? NO

WHY ?????

 

Because Jax only umpires games where pitchers throw 110 MPH and Hitters mash ball 600 feet.  

[JaxRolo]

 

Schutt ???? NO

WHY ?????

 

They are Ugly.

You never hear anyone say they are top of the line.

Their resale value sucks.

 

They may serve a purpose but not for me.

[conbo61]

Schutt ???? NO

WHY ?????

Because Jax only umpires games where pitchers throw 110 MPH and Hitters mash ball 600 feet.

Pretty impressive for a coach pitch division.:P

[WIUMP]

I just got my Schutt VX. I've never umpired before so I don't have any first hand experience or knowledge of chest protectors except for catching. I saw Schutt's products at the ABCA convention in Orlando and was impressed by their chest protectors. I know that the WV is the industry standard but it was really bulky when I tried it on, perhaps due to my relatively slight build and short torso. The Schutt gives you a little of that linebacker look but fits extremely well and is very light. I spent quite a while adjusting and readjusting it last night and have it pretty well dialed in. It appears to be constructed well with thought given to typically vulnerable areas. The real test will come when my local umpire class finally gets in the cage with some live pitching.

 

Umpiring is a new endeavor for me. For the immediate future, I will continue to coach high school spring ball and play one a week in an adult league. If umpiring becomes more than a summer job for me, then I may see the need to upgrade to a Douglas, West Vest, or other high end CP, along with awesome LGs and poly-wool pants. For now, unless I feel unsafe in my current gear, I'll stick with it as long as this is a part-time, recreational hobby. 

[Majordave]

Good luck Turner.  Military word of advice that seems to fit here.  No battle plan completely survives initial contact with the enemy.

 

Since you haven't umpired much, if at all, you may need to re-adjust your CP and other gear for fit and maximum protection from time to time.  You may change/adjust your plate stance from time to time.  If you can, get in front of a full length mirror and practice your stance and mechanics and check the fit of your CP, mask and shinguards.  Also, I hope you bought plate shoes. If not, get ready to get plunked there by baseballs and stepped on by catchers from time to time.  The lower level of ball you work the more you get hit.  Even 12 year olds can hurt you by the way.  In your stance, even with plate shoes, make sure your feet are pointed straight ahead and not like a duck.  The ball WILL find your ankle and the unpadded/unprotected side of your foot and it HURTS.  A lot.  Ball on bone is not a good feeling I assure you.  Practice this in front of the mirror along with your strike call, your called strike three call and staying down while you call balls.  Timing is the key to success and you have to practice.  When doing cage work get someone to film you on a phone or with a digital camera.  Make sure the person teaching or assisting you is near the camera so you capture them giving you pointers and adjusting your stance, etc.  

 

Good luck.

[MadMax]

@aiber – I'll join @ and @BigUmpire in endorsing the Schutt XV. As a user-advocate of the Schutt AiR Flex I, I feel more than qualified to.

 

I will never purchase, own and/or use a Wilson West Vest. Ever.

 

To quote another fellow umpire here, "They are ugly". West Vests are! They're hulking-huge, cumbersome, and weight-y, with stifling padding and oppressive rigidity. What bothers me most is how... disconnected and seemingly diametrically opposed to change / progression Wilson is. They try to stay ignorant to umpires taking the West Vest to re-padders like Team Wendy, which not only puts better, more breathable pads in, but anchors them in with removable methods, so you can launder the pads. It looks like Wilson hasn't even bothered to address the profile, the silhouette, the shape of the shoulders, etc... any number of things. I challenge anyone to say "Oh, Max, Wilson made a perfect product the first time!". That's complete bunk. Nothing is ever perfect.

 

With that said, there are always other options and alternatives. I find it fascinating and insightful that the respected, experienced opinion of @MidAmUmp is to use an All-Star System 7 (I would get a System 7 way before I got a West Vest). I myself am of the same opinion as @Majordave (and several others) who do/will favor the Force3 Unequal. Was it available when I got my AiR Flex? No. Can I afford one now? Not yet. In the meantime, I'll use my AiR Flex, and am strongly considering getting a Schutt XV to try out / use until I get an Unequal. I have confidence that Schutt has addressed a few minor issues with the AiR Flex I and has rolled out a better-than-ever product.

 

Which is more than can be said about Wilson.

 

Opinions are like...  as ... noses. Everyone's got one, and they get out of joint pretty easy.

[MidAmUmp]

I think the bottom line is find something that is comfortable, makes you feel safe, and you can afford.

 

Everyone has personal preferences. Personally, I like the look of the Schutt, but our old friend Pete who used to have his gear review website worked a tournament for me a few years ago. I stopped by to watch him work and thought he wasn't wearing a CP. He was wearing the Schutt and we talked about it in between innings. He told me he wouldn't wear it at a little league game.

 

A lot of people like the Unequal, but some of the former instructors told me how Jim Evans looked after his little test drive video and I've been shown photos of chest bruises from a guy who's on here. That's enough for me to not make me feel safe.

 

I like the Douglas, but I think they've really priced themselves out of the market for most guys.

 

The only thing Wilson/West Vest has going for them is MLB's free advertising & the fact you can get it TW retrofitted.

 

Several college guys have told me the most bang for the buck is the Champion hard shell. It's pretty low profile, very affordable, and I've worked with several D1 guys who trust it's safety.

 

I wear the All-Star System 7. Full disclosure - they gave it to me. I love it. I honestly think it's the best thing on the market and I'm not saying that because I got mine for free. They researched, studied, and did it right. As I posted earlier, I like that they sell the replacement padding, harness, and that all the padding is easily removed and machine washable.

[MikeSafari]

The only thing Wilson/West Vest has going for them is MLB's free advertising & the fact you can get it TW retrofitted.

 

I know I'm an edge case, but at least for me it's also a matter of availability. We just don't have access to All-Star, Douglas, Champion, and Schutt in Canada at anything approaching a reasonable price.

 

When I bought my WVG off @Majordave last year, the exchange rate was nearly even between CAD and USD, so I ended up paying about $120 for the CP on its own (minus shipping and the shinguards I got as well). Now, to buy a System 7, which I really like the look of, would cost me $155USD ($191CAD) before shipping, and I just can't justify $200 on a chest protector.

 

Wilson is a big brand with distribution centres all over the show, which makes it easier to get their products into the hands of consumers. As a Canadian, that helps a helluva lot.

[Thunderheads]

I think the bottom line is find something that is comfortable, makes you feel safe, and you can afford.

 

Everyone has personal preferences. Personally, I like the look of the Schutt, but our old friend Pete who used to have his gear review website worked a tournament for me a few years ago. I stopped by to watch him work and thought he wasn't wearing a CP. He was wearing the Schutt and we talked about it in between innings. He told me he wouldn't wear it at a little league game.

 

A lot of people like the Unequal, but some of the former instructors told me how Jim Evans looked after his little test drive video and I've been shown photos of chest bruises from a guy who's on here. That's enough for me to not make me feel safe.

 

I like the Douglas, but I think they've really priced themselves out of the market for most guys.

 

The only thing Wilson/West Vest has going for them is MLB's free advertising & the fact you can get it TW retrofitted.

 

Several college guys have told me the most bang for the buck is the Champion hard shell. It's pretty low profile, very affordable, and I've worked with several D1 guys who trust it's safety.

 

I wear the All-Star System 7. Full disclosure - they gave it to me. I love it. I honestly think it's the best thing on the market and I'm not saying that because I got mine for free. They researched, studied, and did it right. As I posted earlier, I like that they sell the replacement padding, harness, and that all the padding is easily removed and machine washable.

Thanks to 5 or 6 guys here on this site!

[Hawkman]

A lot of guys on these forums will tell you that anything other than a WV Gold or Platinum is crap; not necessarily true. To each his own, unfortunately you don't really know how well you'll like a protector until you wear it in game action. I've umpired HS ball or 15 years and have run into exactly one other umpire who wore a Gold or Platinum. My regular partner wears a Diamond ix3 and loves it. Know many guys who wear the Champro and the Champion with the plates. I wore a Platinum for about 3 years; it was fine, great protection for the most part but there were things I didn't like about it. I've also tried on a Gold and it wasn't for me. I still wear an old Honigs K-1 I bought about 12 years ago. For me it had the best combination of fit, protection and comfort I've found. Unfortunately the new K-1 is much heavier and bulkier and not the same protector. I've been strongly considering buying a Schutt XV for a second protector and am interested in feedback from guys who have worn them. Bottom line is that although the WV line are great protectors they aren't the only good ones out there.