Best Plate Shoes ??

[jlg1065]

Looking to buy new plate shoes. What are the positives and negatives of your plate shoes? 

[Cav]

I love my NB mid-high plate shoes, but I took a foul ball off the one-that-went-to-market tonight and it don't look pretty.  I know steel toes were heavy, but this plastic is undependable.  I might get a toe thumped once a season, or so, and the plastic works 99% of the time and it is lighter 100% of the time.

 

I've got two tomorrow and hope I'm still walking in the morning. 

[gnhbua93]

Avenger. They are awesome.

[boyinr]

NB450 are my favorites.

[labguy1971]

NB450 are my favorites.

agreed, these are quite comfortable.

[kylejt]

I never felt comfortable in any of the Reeboks.

 

I've tried the NB460, and didn't care for it. I don't think it's very well built. The plate is quite wide, though. That's a plus.

 

I'm still wearing the NB450, with some in boxes in reserve. 1/2 size up, of course. Real leather, no flat snout to catch a ball on the toes, and good tread. I don't goop them up, or use harsh chemicals. I clean them, then use a leather product on them.

 

The old +POS low tops are, IMO, still the best looking plate shoes ever made. I use them only for four man, and that reminds me why modern shoes are so great. (Very heavy). I do miss the ritual of hitting them with Parade Gloss before a game. That five minute routine, buffing them up a the end, just got me in the right mind set to have baseballs hurled at my face.

 

I'm convinced that mid tops are the way to go, as they mate well with shin guards. I've taken shots at that junction several times, and I've got a couple stingers with low tops.

[BuckeyeMike]

I LOVE my NB460's. I'm fairly fleet-of-foot, so I don't really notice the weight, but they ARE a little heavy.  I just feel really feel protected in them.

 

The drawback that I found, with a mid or high top shoe, is that my shin guard flaps (ankle bone protectors) were sticking almost straight out, making my pants look funny and just.....not very professional looking in general.  So I took a pair of scissors to the shin guards and cut off the flaps.     2 Seasons and I still love these 460's.

[T-Rav]

I have the NB4 60's and the Reebok Zigs, if you have regular feet and can still find the Reebok Zig's in your size (they discontinued them) then they are the best. Beware, as you will have to size about a full size up from your regular size of shoe with the Reebok Zigs.

 

If you can't find the Zigs, then the NB 460's are not a bad alternative but are much less comfortable and weigh 20% more than the Zigs. 

[Replacematt]

Reebok Plate Magistrate II Mids. Too bad they replaced them with those gawdaful Zigs. If you have feet smaller than 10, you can still find them on Amazon or eBay. And if you find 12.5s, please let me know.

I have the NB4 60's and the Reebok Zigs, if you have regular feet and can still find the Reebok Zig's in your size (they discontinued them) then they are the best. Beware, as you will have to size about a full size up from your regular size of shoe with the Reebok Zigs.

 

If you can't find the Zigs, then the NB 460's are not a bad alternative but are much less comfortable and weigh 20% more than the Zigs.

When did they discontinue the Zigs?

[midtnump]

i do love my Reebok Zigs. They FIT MY FEET very well. Just like a CP, you need to find out what fits you best and go with it. I wore my game socks in to Academy Sports and tried on several sizes of Reebok Zigs and found the best size and fit. Then I ordered that size. I don't know if the NB's fit like their regular sneakers. Maybe some of the NB wearing guys can say if the NB's fit the same as their sneakers.

[BuckeyeMike]

I have both plate and base NBs, and I've had zero issues with sizing.  I cannot say the same with the Reebok Zigs.  I have Zigs for base shoes as well and they are SUPER narrow.....and I have a narrow foot to begin with. 

[T-Rav]

Reebok Plate Magistrate II Mids. Too bad they replaced them with those gawdaful Zigs. If you have feet smaller than 10, you can still find them on Amazon or eBay. And if you find 12.5s, please let me know.

 

I have the NB4 60's and the Reebok Zigs, if you have regular feet and can still find the Reebok Zig's in your size (they discontinued them) then they are the best. Beware, as you will have to size about a full size up from your regular size of shoe with the Reebok Zigs.

 

If you can't find the Zigs, then the NB 460's are not a bad alternative but are much less comfortable and weigh 20% more than the Zigs.

When did they discontinue the Zigs?

 

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/60392-reebok-no-longer-going-to-offer-umpire-shoes/?hl=zigs

 

And the Reebok Zigs are out of stock at all the major suppliers. 

[MadMax]

Reebok Plate Magistrate II Mids. Too bad they replaced them with those gawdaful Zigs. If you have feet smaller than 10, you can still find them on Amazon or eBay. And if you find 12.5s, please let me know.

I have the NB4 60's and the Reebok Zigs, if you have regular feet and can still find the Reebok Zig's in your size (they discontinued them) then they are the best. Beware, as you will have to size about a full size up from your regular size of shoe with the Reebok Zigs. If you can't find the Zigs, then the NB 460's are not a bad alternative but are much less comfortable and weigh 20% more than the Zigs.

When did they discontinue the Zigs?

Reebok has been directed by its parent company, Adidas, to abandon specialty shoes in specialty sports and focus the majority of its efforts and technology into CrossFit.

There is little chance of another major label (ie. Nike) throwing a plate show out there to fill in the void. _Maybe_ UnderArmour could, but it's doubtful. Warrior has ties to the ownership group of the Boston Red Sox, so _maybe_ that could be explored. Boombah is a likely candidate, but their counter might be "Do softball umpires need plate shoes, in viable quantities?". Perhaps the abandonment by Reebok is something they noticed. Hopefully, with the increase of startups and rapid-prototyping and world-economics, somebody may get inspired to do one.

Just please let it not be 3N2. Ugh. May as well have two cinder blocks tied to your feet. _That_ comfortable.

[conbo61]

Love my old Spot-Bilts.

[gnhbua93]

Love my old Spot-Bilts.

What you are going to love after the Spot-Bilts are gone?

[conbo61]

Save the Spot-Bilts for HS season and have NB 460 for summer ball.

[umpstu]

I have both plate and base NBs, and I've had zero issues with sizing.  I cannot say the same with the Reebok Zigs.  I have Zigs for base shoes as well and they are SUPER narrow.....and I have a narrow foot to begin with. 

You are correct in saying that about the width of the Zigs.  Just had my first issue with NB as I ordered a pair of them off Amazon, and although the label says 10  1/2  4e, they are now way that size.  Too narrow and I've been wearing their base shoes for ages.  Plate shoes are great.  Loved my old Reebok field magistrate plate shoes.  Wish I'd ordered extra as I can't find them in my size anymore.

[Majordave]

I have those Mizuno plate shoes I bought from Chris Hickman. They are absolutely FANTASTIC shoes. Lightweight, real leather, spongy and supportive insole, grippy outsoles, Velcro closures. I paid like $100 for them and now that I know how nice they are I would gladly pay more for the new ones. Worth. Every. Penny. I don't think they will work for very wide feet beyond E width or very big feet past size 10.5 or 11 based upon what I've seen available on ebay and Rakuten websites though. Tried to get Mizuno USA to sell them. No luck so far.

[Tksjewelry]

I have those Mizuno plate shoes I bought from Chris Hickman. They are absolutely FANTASTIC shoes. Lightweight, real leather, spongy and supportive insole, grippy outsoles, Velcro closures. I paid like $100 for them and now that I know how nice they are I would gladly pay more for the new ones. Worth. Every. Penny. I don't think they will work for very wide feet beyond E width or very big feet past size 10.5 or 11 based upon what I've seen available on ebay and Rakuten websites though. Tried to get Mizuno USA to sell them. No luck so far.

I have the Chinese shipping companies Web address for anyone that wants Mizunos. Mizuno Japan sent me to it. Shipping is almost as much as the shoes, with conversion rate charges and import fees, the shoes come out at about $300. I do believe they had different widths, but I'd have to double check that.

[BuckeyeMike]

???!!!!!!   $300   ????!!!!!!!!    

 

HOLY SH!T.   No way, no how.

[BillKen]

I used a pair of Magistrates for 3 years before they wore out.  Then I was lucky enough to get two more pair on ebay.  My current pair are on year 2 and I have a new pair in the box in my closet!  I'm good on plate shoes until 2019!

[jlg1065]

Thank you for all the great feedback. Greatly appreciated

[zm1283]

There is no reason to pay the price of the item for shipping to get something from Japan. There are easier ways. 

[Majordave]

@zm1283

'splain.....'splain!