Chest protector

[Barry Haggard]

If you were looking for nothing but pure protection, what chest protecter would you buy? I have using a Champion for several years and took one off of my collarbone back in April and I thought it was broken. Is there anything on the market that provides better protection than the Champion does? All opinions and suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks much, Barry

[The Man in Blue]

If you aren’t looking to break the bank, Schutt HDX.

[ArchAngel72]

As Systems 7

thing is a tank

 

[Barry Haggard]

31 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

If you aren’t looking to break the bank, Schutt HDX.

I'm not really worried about cost, unless it just gets stupid.

[Barry Haggard]

7 minutes ago, ArchAngel72 said:

As Systems 7

thing is a tank

 

Better protection than the Cobalt?

[BCBrad]

I think getting a new CP is a moot point if you are not looking at getting a good harness. 
I believe most people here use an UL Flex harness from Ray @Razzer because it keeps the CP up and snug to make sure your collarbone has coverage by your CP. 

You can have the best CP out there, but if it sags because of a crappy harness, your collarbone is always going to be at risk. 

[MadMax]

2 hours ago, Barry Haggard said:

Better protection than the Cobalt?

For clavicle (collarbone) / thorax specifically? The All-Star CPU4000, AKA “The System 7” bests its progeny the Cobalt, CPU5000. This has to do with its construction. The Cobalt is more modular and adaptive. This adaptability comes at a price – in order to adjust the neck opening, the clavicles and breastplate are segmented, joined by a flexible spline:

By contrast, the CPU4000 treats that delicate transition with overlapping segments: 

Heavier, more encumbering, but definitely covers the collarbone and thorax. 

Now, no one can flippantly say “Well, Wilson’s better!”, cuz it ain’t. The vaunted Wilson Gold is segmented in exactly the same way as the Cobalt, Power, ProPro, P2xx, XV, etc. Sure, the Platinum utilizes one-piece shoulder arch plates, but if it is so much better / more protective… why’d Wilson discontinue it? 🤨

Yup, I came to the same conclusion awhile ago.

 

[boyinr]

I would agree that some need an upgraded harness, if it doesn’t fit your body type, a harness won’t fix that. I never got any of the Wilson’s to fit. Always felt like I was wearing my dads jacket to the school dance. 
 

i do really like the AdamsSchutt. The All-Star Cobolt is really nice too. The Douglas has flaws but it fits in a niche. If you can find a S7 that’s a great rig. 

[wolfe_man]

Personally, I’ll take a Wilson Gold over everything else available today.  I know this makes Max sad, but the Gold just fits me better than anything else out there. 

I know the Gold carapace is sufficient to knock everything down.  They just need to work on the padding (still as the memory foam might reduce it by 1/4" - 1/3" at best).  But I have chosen to work around that by using the pad jacket from a Schutt/Adams with d30 foam.  Now, I have a very thin and safe CP!

I'm using the Gold chest plate and gap covers, Adams/Schutt shoulder caps and pad jacket with a UL harness.

[The Man in Blue]

 

 

What can I say?

[Barry Haggard]

7 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

 

 

What can I say?

Ummm..........No. LOL

I actually started in 1979 with something similar made by Rawlings. The protection was very good.

I would probably try a Wilson, but at 6'3" 220, I'm not sure it would be long enough.

I have always thought the System 7 looked like a very good chest protector, but is it still available anywhere? 

The Chest Protectors at +POS also look good, but would I ever get one if I ordered it. 

Decisions, decisions. 

[wolfe_man]

2 minutes ago, Barry Haggard said:

Ummm..........No. LOL

I actually started in 1979 with something similar made by Rawlings. The protection was very good.

I would probably try a Wilson, but at 6'3" 220, I'm not sure it would be long enough.

I have always thought the System 7 looked like a very good chest protector, but is it still available anywhere? 

The Chest Protectors at +POS also look good, but would I ever get one if I ordered it. 

Decisions, decisions. 

Check eBay and you may find one from time-to-time.  They're out there.

BaseballMonkey.com has new 12" (fit's like 13" at ribs) and extra padding in stock, but no 15" left.  I do see them come up every so often on eBay, Mercari, OfferUp, SidelineSwap, etc.

[Thunderheads]

13 hours ago, MadMax said:

For clavicle (collarbone) / thorax specifically? The All-Star CPU4000, AKA “The System 7” bests its progeny the Cobalt, CPU5000. This has to do with its construction. The Cobalt is more modular and adaptive. This adaptability comes at a price – in order to adjust the neck opening, the clavicles and breastplate are segmented, joined by a flexible spline:

By contrast, the CPU4000 treats that delicate transition with overlapping segments: 

Heavier, more encumbering, but definitely covers the collarbone and thorax. 

Now, no one can flippantly say “Well, Wilson’s better!”, cuz it ain’t. The vaunted Wilson Gold is segmented in exactly the same way as the Cobalt, Power, ProPro, P2xx, XV, etc. Sure, the Platinum utilizes one-piece shoulder arch plates, but if it is so much better / more protective… why’d Wilson discontinue it? 🤨

Yup, I came to the same conclusion awhile ago.

 

The only issue with the CPU4000 is that the neck opening is smaller than normal.  Yes, you can make it larger, but it can wind up rubbing your neck on slightly bigger guys.

[ArchAngel72]

16 hours ago, Barry Haggard said:

Better protection than the Cobalt?

 

I would say yes but its comes at a cost of being more robust and less sleek as well as I would dare say warmer when its hot too

 

I will wear the Sys 7 when its cooler out but I do like the cobalt its done a good job so far I have taken maybe 3 hits with it and none were bad at all.

But I did notice between the two the 7 I would have never noticed those hits other than they would have made a loud CLACK.  Its truly baseball proof in my eyes

Just depending on your size it may or may not wear well. 

[Rock Bottom]

I switched from the Schutt to the System 7 (CPU4000) after a shot to the collar bone that severely bruised it (I thought it was broke for a minute) and LOVE the S7 so much I bought a second one as my backup when they went on sale just as the Cobalt was coming out.  I can't compare the S7 to the Cobalt, since I haven't used the Cobalt, but I can say that I've worn it in 95-100 degree weather and while it was obviously hot, I didn't notice it being that much hotter than the Schutt.  Protection is great on it. 

[Barry Haggard]

1 hour ago, ArchAngel72 said:

 

I would say yes but its comes at a cost of being more robust and less sleek as well as I would dare say warmer when its hot too

 

I will wear the Sys 7 when its cooler out but I do like the cobalt its done a good job so far I have taken maybe 3 hits with it and none were bad at all.

But I did notice between the two the 7 I would have never noticed those hits other than they would have made a loud CLACK.  Its truly baseball proof in my eyes

Just depending on your size it may or may not wear well. 

I'm 6'3" 220, most of my work these days in in March-April West Tennessee high school ball dressed like an Eskimo. Thicker and warmer would not be a deterrent for me, especially if was very protective. In your opinion, is the system 7 the holy grail of protection? 

 

Not only in the 30's here, but drizzled rain the entire game as well. Fun times. FYI: I put on my balaclava after the plate meeting as well. 

[wolfe_man]

43 minutes ago, Barry Haggard said:

I'm 6'3" 220, most of my work these days in in March-April West Tennessee high school ball dressed like an Eskimo. Thicker and warmer would not be a deterrent for me, especially if was very protective. In your opinion, is the system 7 the holy grail of protection? 

 

Not only in the 30's here, but drizzled rain the entire game as well. Fun times. FYI: I put on my balaclava after the plate meeting as well. 

 

Haggard surname... West Tennessee... makes me think you gotta be related to Merle somewhere?

As to the holy grail, I think that is the Riddell Power.   The CPU4000 aka System 7 is bulletproof, but so is the Wilson Gold.  And if you want heat, the Gold has it for you!

I know some swear by the new Cobalt and I love some of it's features as well, but the shoulders fit me very oddly.

If you don't mind the warmth, my top three all-time CPs are Wilson Gold, Douglas with added gap protection and the CPU4000.  I really like the F3 V3 also.  You feel the hits more in the F3, but not pain, just you know you were hit.  With the Gold and CPU4000 you may not feel anything when hit, they're that good!  Douglas I can feel occasionally, but nothing painful.

[Barry Haggard]

19 minutes ago, wolfe_man said:

Haggard surname... West Tennessee... makes me think you gotta be related to Merle somewhere?

As to the holy grail, I think that is the Riddell Power.   The CPU4000 aka System 7 is bulletproof, but so is the Wilson Gold.  And if you want heat, the Gold has it for you!

I know some swear by the new Cobalt and I love some of it's features as well, but the shoulders fit me very oddly.

If you don't mind the warmth, my top three all-time CPs are Wilson Gold, Douglas with added gap protection and the CPU4000.  I really like the F3 V3 also.  You feel the hits more in the F3, but not pain, just you know you were hit.  With the Gold and CPU4000 you may not feel anything when hit, they're that good!  Douglas I can feel occasionally, but nothing painful.

I found a CPU4000 online for $250, it's sounding pretty attractive, even at that price. As to Merle, possibly, but not that I'm aware of. LOL

[834k3r]

Anyone get one of the CPs off Samurai Gears? I've been toying with that idea...but am hesitant to spend that much on a CP when I may hate it.

[MadMax]

3 hours ago, Barry Haggard said:

The Chest Protectors at +POS also look good, but would I ever get one if I ordered it. 

They “look good” because they are innovative and forward thinking. Both the ZRO-G and Cobra utilize multi-layer, purposed, laminate foam for the vests. Both models employ HDPE for their carapace plates instead of ABS, which makes for a lighter, thinner plate. But alas, like many mad geniuses, +POS’s fatal flaw is they can’t fulfill, deliver, or service their product catalog (like SAAB). 

56 minutes ago, Barry Haggard said:

In your opinion, is the system 7 the holy grail of protection? 

The holy grail of protection is a Carlucci-esque bespoke unit built to your measurements, with a synthetic felt skin on each and every HDPE plate (to hinder bruising our ever-more-costly shirts), with plates having 10mm ventilation holes in ‘em (to reduce weight and promote ventilation), completely reconfigurable to best cover “this” or “that” for your particular plate stance or body type, and utilizing a hydrophobic foam laminate, in segments and pods of varying thickness, wherein the foam has engineered “reactive resistance”. 

22 minutes ago, wolfe_man said:

As to the holy grail, I think that is the Riddell Power.

Riddell Power with a Team Wendy -supplied foam jacket. Any of the “classic” units – Douglas, Riddell Power, AA ProPro… Wilson WV Gold – that still use sofa-cushion upholstery foam cannot be the holy grail. Can. Not! The carapace plates are important, surely (just ask Force3 post-V1), but when taken as a cohesive whole unit, the foam jacket – more importantly, what comprises the foam jacket – is doing all the work. The continued (lookin’ right at you, Douglas) use of upholstery foam is serving no purpose for us, the users of the unit; instead, it is serving them, the manufacturers, by being the lowest, cheapest, most effortless material they can use so as to maximize profit. 

And this is where my seething contempt and hatred for Wilson boils to the top. As several colleagues here know – @wolfe_man among them – I never poo-pooh someone for  using a particular CP, so long as it is an intact unit that fits them properly. I will, however, give them heaping amounts of grief and derision for buying one, full retail. Wilson has done nothing – no advancement, no development, no innovation (other than imitation years too late) – in 25 years beyond maintaining the MLB logo on their products like it’s some sanctifying mark, and charging premium ($200+) for it. We’re just feeding the beast, and the beast has gotten _fat_. 

The All-Star CPU4000 cannot be the holy grail… why? Because All-Star completely replaced it with the Cobalt CPU5000. The two units aren’t even siblings. In fact, beyond the All-Star name they share, they only share the attention to the foam laminate in common. At the very least, Stan Jurga & Co. understand that heat alleviation and ventilation is crucial. Wilson still hasn’t even addressed it! They simply don’t have your health in mind.

[BT_Blue]

I love my Cobalt. My only issue was the bad luck I had that any padding I (re)moved I took a hit in that spot the very next game. Lol

[ArchAngel72]

I would defer to others here with the Holy Grail mention

 

I am limited to a champro  and the 2 AS's that I have tried and worn in games I did have the newer armored champro but gave it to the local league, Oddly I did not care for the t buckles...

 

But imho which is based of only 5 years of doing LL and Baberuth level ball.  that Sys 7 never once allowed me to "feel" any WP or foul ball.

the original champro unit I had was just a pad and was decent for softball and LL minors as it had no armor.  I went dumb and bought the heaviest armored thing I could think of which at the time was that Sys 7..   While not the most touted thing WV's have a strong following as well as some other brands that are VERY hard to find now.. 

Anywho   Good luck on whatever you decide I hope it fits you well and protects you like you want it to.

 

[umpstu]

7 hours ago, wolfe_man said:

Check eBay and you may find one from time-to-time.  They're out there.

BaseballMonkey.com has new 12" (fit's like 13" at ribs) and extra padding in stock, but no 15" left.  I do see them come up every so often on eBay, Mercari, OfferUp, SidelineSwap, etc.

I found a brand new System 7 on Sideline Swap for $95 delivered.  Just have to be lucky.  And diligent. It's a great rig.  If I were to buy a new protector now I think I'd go with the new West Vest.

[BT_Blue]

I remember being SUPER hyped for the S7. But that damn head opening! Couldn't get my melon through it!

I will say this. The most protected I have ever felt was in a West Vest Gold. Those things are darn near bullet proof. But DAMN are they bulky! And hotter than Hades in the summer. Worse if you are dealing with heat and humidity! I would love to get my hands on one of the new Memory Foam Golds though. And you can go back through these forums and find me wishing and attempting to convince myself to try and get a +POS Cobra. But that has yet to happen... and probably never will.

I loved my All-American (predecessor to the Champion). And would HIGHLY recommend both to anyone that asked. But it has taken a secondary role to the Cobalt. Which I adore!

I wasn't a fan of the Schutt/Adam's. But that is a personal opinion.

The only CP I would say to steer completely clear of is the Honigs K1. That thing was awful! 

[Barry Haggard]

Does anybody have any experience wearing the Diamond Pro Umpire Chest Protector DCP-UMP PRO?

 

https://www.ump-attire.com/Products/DCP-PRO/Diamond-Pro-Umpire-Chest-Protector