Force 3 V1 vs V3

[blue23ll]

I currently use (primarily) the F3 V1, doing primarily highschool Varsity games. I also have a Douglas and an original WV that I occassionally use. I am looking to upgrade my CP and I am wondering if it's worth it to spend almost $300 for the F3 V3 or go to a new WV?   Thoughts?

[834k3r]

I feel 100% confident that @MadMax will not recommend anything with the Yellow W.

[boyinr]

10 hours ago, blue23ll said:

I currently use (primarily) the F3 V1, doing primarily highschool Varsity games. I also have a Douglas and an original WV that I occassionally use. I am looking to upgrade my CP and I am wondering if it's worth it to spend almost $300 for the F3 V3 or go to a new WV?   Thoughts?

Before I did that I would buy a Cobolt and an Adams for the $300. 

[MadMax]

12 hours ago, 834k3r said:

I feel 100% confident that @MadMax will not recommend anything with the Yellow W.

The value just ≠ the price. It’s that simple. Oh sure, I go on and on about how much I loathe Wilson, and list off all these reasons why you guys should too, but the simple fact is, Wilson is robbing you by charging you premium for sub-par, largely unimproved products. 

If you want a Wilson Gold 2 “Air Management System”, and you pay the retail cost, you’re an absolute fool. Why not get the exact replica – the Champro “AirMan” – for $100 less?? You can get a better mask or set of shins with that $100!! 

And the Gold 2 MemFoam is not that much better. It’s an improvement, but underwhelming, and way, way too late to the party. Lower-profile, sure, but even more dense, worse ventilation, and overpriced. If Wilson had brokered a partnership with TW, 3M, Dow Chemical, or even WindPact to create and/or employ a much more advanced foam, then yes, the cost would be warranted. 

But they don’t, and the only way to explain it is ignorance and that elitist arrogance. 

[TravisC]

I just got the F3 V3 CP as a Christmas present to myself. It was a black Friday sale so it was 35% off. It was $195. I haven't used it yet but I can't wait. It is so light I thought the box was empty when it got delivered. I had a cheap bulky Champion CP before.

Force 3 does have a deal now where if you buy a traditional or hockey style mask you get 40% off all chest protectors and/or shin pads. That makes the chest protestor $180.

[BT_Blue]

Interesting you consider the Champion to be "bulky".

 

Honestly... I have always wanted to try the V1 conversion a few guys on here have done. By connecting a WV Gold carapace to the V1 body.

 

My (most likely) MAIN ONE AND ONLY complaint about the Force3 chest protectors is that the plastic plating is inside the cp. In my mind (in backwards as it can be some times). I feel like the WV mod is safer than the current top of the line F3.

[wolfe_man]

15 hours ago, TravisC said:

I just got the F3 V3 CP as a Christmas present to myself. It was a black Friday sale so it was 35% off. It was $195. I haven't used it yet but I can't wait. It is so light I thought the box was empty when it got delivered. I had a cheap bulky Champion CP before.

Force 3 does have a deal now where if you buy a traditional or hockey style mask you get 40% off all chest protectors and/or shin pads. That makes the chest protestor $180.

The V3 is superb. It was my main gamer the last couple of years. I love it's slimming profile under your shirt.  The only thing I'll say, and it's not a negative, was that you quasi-feel an impact more in them versus the old Wilson CPs.  They don't hurt mind you, but you feel the impact more.  It's an odd feeling, but I did not hesitate to wear it in many Varsity and 18U travel-ball games.  I never got a mark on me when impacted, no bruising, nothing hurt.

In my personal opinion, the CP can be made much more affordable though.  Get rid of the Kevlar, it's doing nothing in reality except sounding cool.  Kevlar catches a small projectile (bullet) by slowing it down... a baseball is much larger and requires more padding or hard plastic to disperse the force as F3 found out and therefore the need for modifying the V1 and V2.   The Kevlar sounds cool, but my honest opinion is it just adds cost to the CP, because I don't think it's doing a thing that regular padding (much cheaper alternative) couldn't do as well.

Wear it with pride!  it's a great CP!

[lawump]

Just curious...if y'all were in my shoes and looking to purchase a new CP, what CP would you buy?  

Now, allow me to describe "my shoes".  I have worn an original West Vest since 2000.  I own the same exact CP I bought in 2000 because I love it and it fits me like a glove.  The only thing I have done (besides routine cleanings) is change out the harness when the harness has worn.   I love my original WV because I have been drilled in the CP on the NCAA Division 1 level and below and never suffered any negative consequences.  I also love it because, well, we've been together for 23-years.  We know each other so well.  LOL.

Now, obviously, technology has changed in 23-years.  I have not kept up with the changes because I haven't even thought of looking for a new CP.  (And, for the record, I'm not really looking right now.)  But, knowing my history with CP's and how much I love my original WV...if I was forced to purchase a new CP which one would you all recommend???

[BT_Blue]

So first of all, is it an original WV? I.e. the one with the velcroed on floating chest plate? Secondly... is it a Wilson or a Douglas? I'm pretty sure you know why I ask the second question.

 

I'm a big big fan of the new(ish now) Cobalt. So that would be my recommendation. But I also won't knock someone for going back to what you know and what works either.

[lawump]

16 minutes ago, BT_Blue said:

So first of all, is it an original WV? I.e. the one with the velcroed on floating chest plate?

Yes and Wilson

[wolfe_man]

1 hour ago, lawump said:

Just curious...if y'all were in my shoes and looking to purchase a new CP, what CP would you buy?  

Now, allow me to describe "my shoes".  I have worn an original West Vest since 2000.  I own the same exact CP I bought in 2000 because I love it and it fits me like a glove.  The only thing I have done (besides routine cleanings) is change out the harness when the harness has worn.   I love my original WV because I have been drilled in the CP on the NCAA Division 1 level and below and never suffered any negative consequences.  I also love it because, well, we've been together for 23-years.  We know each other so well.  LOL.

Now, obviously, technology has changed in 23-years.  I have not kept up with the changes because I haven't even thought of looking for a new CP.  (And, for the record, I'm not really looking right now.)  But, knowing my history with CP's and how much I love my original WV...if I was forced to purchase a new CP which one would you all recommend???

Go with the new Wilson Gold with memory foam.  A little lower profile versus the original but same great protection and coverage.  It even has a flex harness with the stock CP now.

Personally, I hated the Cobalt although many liked it.  It just never fit my shoulders right. 

I've tried all and found something to like in most, but I kept going back to my F3 V3 and/or Wilson Gold.   They just worked for me.

[umpstu]

3 hours ago, wolfe_man said:

Go with the new Wilson Gold with memory foam.  A little lower profile versus the original but same great protection and coverage.  It even has a flex harness with the stock CP now.

Personally, I hated the Cobalt although many liked it.  It just never fit my shoulders right. 

I've tried all and found something to like in most, but I kept going back to my F3 V3 and/or Wilson Gold.   They just worked for me.

Same feelings on the Cobalt. Just never felt right on me so I was able to find an All Star System 7 chest protector and put on a Umplife chest harness.

If I were buying a chest protector now it would be a Wilson.

[834k3r]

20 hours ago, umpstu said:

Same feelings on the Cobalt. Just never felt right on me so I was able to find an All Star System 7 chest protector and put on a Umplife chest harness.

If I were buying a chest protector now it would be a Wilson.

 

Lower your voice! @MadMax will hear...

[TravisC]

On 1/10/2023 at 10:58 PM, BT_Blue said:

Interesting you consider the Champion to be "bulky".

 

Honestly... I have always wanted to try the V1 conversion a few guys on here have done. By connecting a WV Gold carapace to the V1 body.

 

My (most likely) MAIN ONE AND ONLY complaint about the Force3 chest protectors is that the plastic plating is inside the cp. In my mind (in backwards as it can be some times). I feel like the WV mod is safer than the current top of the line F3.

This is the Champion CP I wore. Chest padding is bulky I thought.  Shoulder protection was almost nonexistent. 

[BT_Blue]

18 minutes ago, TravisC said:

This is the Champion CP I wore. Chest padding is bulky I thought.  Shoulder protection was almost nonexistent. 

Oh yeah! I wouldn't let my worst enemy out in that thing! Go look at the Champion P200 chest protectors. 

[JSam21]

On 1/11/2023 at 9:46 AM, lawump said:

Just curious...if y'all were in my shoes and looking to purchase a new CP, what CP would you buy?  

Now, allow me to describe "my shoes".  I have worn an original West Vest since 2000.  I own the same exact CP I bought in 2000 because I love it and it fits me like a glove.  The only thing I have done (besides routine cleanings) is change out the harness when the harness has worn.   I love my original WV because I have been drilled in the CP on the NCAA Division 1 level and below and never suffered any negative consequences.  I also love it because, well, we've been together for 23-years.  We know each other so well.  LOL.

Now, obviously, technology has changed in 23-years.  I have not kept up with the changes because I haven't even thought of looking for a new CP.  (And, for the record, I'm not really looking right now.)  But, knowing my history with CP's and how much I love my original WV...if I was forced to purchase a new CP which one would you all recommend???

So for the 2020 season I switched from a WV Gold to the Adams XV HDX Chest Protector. I'm not sure if you can find them anymore... but I love it. I don't wear the biceps or extension on mine

[ATXBlue]

I second @JSam21 on the Adams XV and you can get it for almost a third of the. Cost of a F3. There are some modifications needed out of the box but I love that thing and can’t see myself changing out CPs anytime in the near future. 
 

mods needed: (@MadMax has a much more extensive list)

- remove bicep guards ASAP

- new harness (UmpLife preferred)

- remove the fabric flaps under shoulder pads

- heat it up and shape it to your body