Easton speed elite mask

[sgvump]

Hello all.. well I bought the Easton Speed Elite traditional mask on ebay new for $65 in hopes of converting it for umpire use. I used it in one game and took a fould ball straight to the mask. I could say that I felt the shot pretty well compared to my Wilson dyna lite mask. When I took the shot while wearing the Easton mask, I felt as if the top pad pushed down into my hat and scraped againts my left eyebrow. Luckily there was no damage other than feeling the impact as I did.. now my question is should I ditch the stock Easton pads and buy some Wilson wrap around pads for this mask or just get rid of it all together? Overall I like the look of the mask and was hoping just to be able to switch out the pads if safe..Thanks guys!   Attached are a few photos of the mask.

[kylejt]

A huge component to any piece of gear is fit. If this combination of frame and pads causes the bill of your hat to get crushed into your forehead, that's an issue.

So, are the pads too weak? Is the frame too close to your face (low profile)? Does the bill of your hat come too close to the frame? Only you can tell.

 

[Stk004]

This is the stock traditional mask for UCLA catchers, so I'd imagine the protection is at least decent. Everyone on here will tell you that the frame doesn't matter nearly as much for protection as the pads do. Now, as @kylejt mentioned, I'd definitely make sure the brim of your hat isn't touching or too close to the bar, because then an impact will push into your hat and hurt more than it should. 

[sgvump]

Hey guys, appreciate the feedback! I use a 4 stitch combo hat for the plate. The same setup as when I use the Wilson dyna lite mask and I noticed a big difference as far as feeling the impact while wearing this Easton mask. I was looking for more detailed specifics of the mask but came up with little, such as “

 

This traditional catchers mask offers a lightweight, strong cage that stands up to abuse, and is engineered to maximize vision and allow a catcher to perform at their highest standard.”

the pads seem to be OK.. I tried to see if my fingers would touch,while pinching down on both sides of the pads but that didn’t seem to be an issue. Only other considerations are to sell it all together or get the wrap around pads! I do have a f3 defender on the way so I would be rotating masks.

[mgford]

I use one of those Easton frames in a backup mask. I replaced the pads with a set of black/tan Wilsons before I wore it. The mask has a good look, and performed well in a recent high school state tournament game as a fouled bunt attempt got me.

[MadMax]

17 hours ago, sgvump said:

I bought the Easton Speed Elite traditional mask on ebay new for $65 in hopes of converting it for umpire use.

You indicated the problem without realizing it. The Easton Speed Elite was intended primarily for catchers. It is based on the famous Nike Icon planform, but has some characteristics that are decidedly for catchers:

• Very short chin guard, better for mounting a dangling throat guard
• Wider, larger ear guards
• Deep half-sphere profile, instead of the shallower, flatter profile of the Icon
• Oversized, high-volume jaw pad

On that last point, it is similar to the brand-new All-Star FM4000MAG Magnesium mask... the presence of an oversized jaw pad contrasting a rather small forehead pad. Why? Because All-Star and Easton are both “catchers companies”, and catchers wear a batting helmet (skullcap) instead of just a hat!

Why put a large, cumbersome forehead pad in when the majority of your target market is already wearing a padded helmet (meager, but still)??

So yes, the mask frame is quite good. Hollow steel, strong, mitigating mistakes (the ear guards especially... if you’re an umpire with the bad habit of flinching or turning your head), and attractively priced... Once again, as with all traditional masks, it’s about the pads.

 

[sgvump]

2 hours ago, MadMax said:

.. Once again, as with all traditional masks, it’s about the pads.

 

Thanks, MadMax! I bought this item knowing it was cather specific, and was hoping it would work for my needs behind the plate!  Now with that being said and after my experience taking a shot to the mask, I think it’s safe to assume that changing out the pads would make a world of difference! (Hopefully)  ..After taking that shot, I’ve noticed that the mask makes a bit of noise while handling it. The best way I can describe this noise is “a loose screw roaming around inside the mask bars somewhere. (Not sure if this makes any difference or not). I’m really considering thise Wilson wrap arounds..appreciate you guy!

 

 

[MadMax]

@sgvump, the rattle you (now) hear is weld burring that has been knocked loose. Because the tubes are hollow, when a weld is made, of course burring (detritus, residue) builds up. Externally, that can be filed and sanded off; internally, not so much.

It has no affect upon the mask, it’s just irritating.

[sgvump]

I’m glad to hear that! Thank you, MadMax!