New DaviShins Shinguards Review

[Majordave]

I saw these at NCAA clinic in Atlanta and Chicago. I knew then that I wanted them but had to wait for a few game fee checks to purchase. I am not disappointed. They made a few modifications to the original Gerry Davis Shinguards and kept some of the best features.

Original model had a "floating knee cap" which is huge in both size and protection. There are only two straps on this guard and they are located on the calf and just above the ankle. They hold beautifully. No changes in these two features on the new guards and I was glad.

The originals had a removable instep guard flap which was held to the main shinguard by velcro. I took it off as I wear NB 450 plate shoes and formerly wore Gerry Davis high top plate shoes thus the flap was not necessary.

The original model had ankle flaps that hang down on both sides with the inner ankle protector having a hard plastic plate and the outer ankle protector being just a piece of the black cloth covered dense foam rubber padding. They were superflous if you wear high top plate shoes. I cut them off of my previous model with no ill effect to the guard other than cosmetic. It greatly enhanced my mobility and noise from the flaps when running.

The new DaviShins have removable flaps (Velcro) on both inner and outer ankles and on the instep. What a great innovation. I took them off immediately upon opening the box.

The most remarkable and biggest improvement to the DaviShins is the main barrel of the shinguard now has three "hinges" or "breaks" where the hard plastic plate is divided into sections that run lengthwise along the inside and outside of the main barrel and these plates/hinges bend with your leg size/circumference giving a much more snug fit than the previous model. In my case the original Gerry Davis guards seemed quite bulky and wide on my lower leg. They filled up my plate pants and made me walk and run with my legs a little more widely apart than my normal gait. These new DaviShins have a much more tight and comfortable fit on the calf/lower leg and the shinguard actually wraps around the calf to provide a sort of 270 degree protection.

They are very comfortable and worked quite well for me in my plate job last night. I had several rotations to third while working two man and made it to third base on two deep fly "trouble" balls to LCF. I felt a little quicker in them as I could run with my legs closer together.

I use the Gerry Davis System plate stance and for me the loose/floating kneecap is the single best feature of this style of shinguard. I can slide my hands under the kneecap protector and not get hit in the hand and fingers. I actually rest my thumbs along the front of the knee atop the kneecap and my fingers lay on the outside of my legs but still under the shinguard's kneecap protection. It works well for me and I get excellent strike zone evaluations and head height evaluations from my evaluators, assigners and crew chiefs/partners as I am locked in.

So, if you have an extra $80 lying around and need to upgrade your protection in the knee/shin area I highly recommend the new DaviShins.

Edited April 11, 2009 by Majordave

[sri8527]

I saw these at NCAA clinic in Atlanta and Chicago. I knew then that I wanted them but had to wait for a few game fee checks to purchase. I am not disappointed. They made a few modifications to the original Gerry Davis Shinguards and kept some of the best features.

Original model had a "floating knee cap" which is huge in both size and protection. There are only two straps on this guard and they are located on the calf and just above the ankle. They hold beautifully. No changes in these two features on the new guards and I was glad.

The originals had a removable instep guard flap which was held to the main shinguard by velcro. I took it off as I wear NB 450 plate shoes and formerly wore Gerry Davis high top plate shoes thus the flap was not necessary.

The original model had ankle flaps that hang down on both sides with the inner ankle protector having a hard plastic plate and the outer ankle protector being just a piece of the black cloth covered dense foam rubber padding. They were superflous if you wear high top plate shoes. I cut them off of my previous model with no ill effect to the guard other than cosmetic. It greatly enhanced my mobility and noise from the flaps when running.

The new DaviShins have removable flaps (Velcro) on both inner and outer ankles and on the instep. What a great innovation. I took them off immediately upon opening the box.

The most remarkable and biggest improvement to the DaviShins is the main barrel of the shinguard now has three "hinges" or "breaks" where the hard plastic plate is divided into sections that run lengthwise along the inside and outside of the main barrel and these plates/hinges bend with your leg size/circumference giving a much more snug fit than the previous model. In my case the original Gerry Davis guards seemed quite bulky and wide on my lower leg. They filled up my plate pants and made me walk and run with my legs a little more widely apart than my normal gait. These new DaviShins have a much more tight and comfortable fit on the calf/lower leg and the shinguard actually wraps around the calf to provide a sort of 270 degree protection.

They are very comfortable and worked quite well for me in my plate job last night. I had several rotations to third while working two man and made it to third base on two deep fly "trouble" balls to LCF. I felt a little quicker in them as I could run with my legs closer together.

I use the Gerry Davis System plate stance and for me the loose/floating kneecap is the single best feature of this style of shinguard. I can slide my hands under the kneecap protector and not get hit in the hand and fingers. I actually rest my thumbs along the front of the knee atop the kneecap and my fingers lay on the outside of my legs but still under the shinguard's kneecap protection. It works well for me and I get excellent strike zone evaluations and head height evaluations from my evaluators, assigners and crew chiefs/partners as I am locked in.

So, if you have an extra $80 lying around and need to upgrade your protection in the knee/shin area I highly recommend the new DaviShins.

hi dave,

i also have the originals, i am going to replace them soon. i had a problem with them "turning" a little, i had to adjust them every so often, not enough to compromise the protection, but as annoying as hell. just wondering if you had the same problem, (assuming you did'nt). i am thinking of going to a hockey referee gaurd, because i really like the design and protection.

steve

[Majordave]

My original GD Shinguards did turn a bit. I adjusted the straps every so often to compensate but they still turned. So far in two games with these new DaviShins, no turning, no movement at all. Otherwise they feel the same in regard to where I place my hands for lock in.

I took a direct hit off left kneecap last night and did not feel anything just a loud pop and ball deflecting toward third base dugout.

Hope this helps.

[Bailey8]

I have used the new style 3 times, hopefully tonight also if not rained out. As like Dave, I removed all the lower flaps that were attached by Velcro. I have rather skinny legs and with the wrap around protection there is only about 2 inches of open area on the back side. Because of the wrap around neither of the 2 straps rub the back of my leg. I have not had any issues with twisting either.

Darin

[midmoump]

Great info - and timely too! Thanks a ton. A foul broke a buckle on my guard last night and gives me a great excuse to buy more gear (much to the chagrin of my lovely wife)! The DaviShins sound great. The only down-side is the sizing. I measure a 16" and the guards are offered at 15" and 17.5" - that is throwing me.

[Majordave]

I am 5'9" tall and wear the 17.5. I had 15 in the originals and gave them to my son who is 6'2". He does not like the tall ones and I do.

I use GD system lock box stance so the more protection while in that slot the better.

[Haydyn]

Great to find this review.

I'm looking to upgrade my protection for Mens games. I mostly officiate girls/womens fastpitch softball but copped a direct hit to the mid shins during Mens State Championships.

My small Rawlings ULG, basically unpadded guards perfect for the junior grades, managed to do very little and I suffered for around a month!

I have just asked the GD Store for photos of these with & without the ankle protection as I have only seen the older style.

Looking forward to these photos as I'm leaning toward DaviShins.

If there is anyone here who can supply photographs..... :yippie:

Edited April 20, 2009 by Haydyn
ask a question

[rth54]

Anybody who owns these... how tall are you and what size do you have? Are you satisfied with your size selection?

I am 5-8 and the folks at GD suggested the 15s.

[BrianC14]

Anybody who owns these... how tall are you and what size do you have? Are you satisfied with your size selection?

I am 5-8 and the folks at GD suggested the 15s.

I'm a bit surprised that they asked you your height.

A better fit would be to measure your leg from your ankle to your knee joint.

Being 5'8" is all well and good, but everyone's legs are different.

[rth54]

They did not ask...I happened to mention it. I tried the other method and i am actually a little over 15 ...but 17.5 is too big for sure... I'll just try them and see how they fit.

[BrianC14]

They did not ask...I happened to mention it. I tried the other method and i am actually a little over 15 ...but 17.5 is too big for sure... I'll just try them and see how they fit.

http://www.ump-attire.com/service/buying-guides/umpire-gear/shin_guards.html

(Provided by SemperFi on the other forum).

If you measured that part of your leg at 15.5", then I'd round up to 16, rather than down to 15.

:no: