Champion Body Armour Chest Protector Alterations

[Hudsonbandits6]

So I've had this chest protector for 4 seasons now, absolutely loved it but one thing that has started to bug me, especially recently, is these foam flaps on the sides of the chest protector. I have attached a mircosoft paint image where I tried to outline them from the photos on UmpAttire. They don't look bad when I put my shirt on, just obstructs my strike calls and feels awkward. I'd like to trim a little bit off to give myself a better range of motion with my arms, but have no clue how to do that and what tools to use and then patch it up so that I am still able to use it afterwards. Has anyone with this same champion chest protector either found solutions to remove the pads or keep them tucked in that doesn't damage the chest protector beyond the point of being able to use it? My initial thought was to just cut it off with a knife then duct tape the end to seal the foam back up but wanted to see if there were any better solutions. 

[BCBrad]

Is it part of the carapace or the padding that attaches to it?

Can you separate it from the carapace?

Couple of ideas:

1) see if you can find an used CP online with a similar padding that would connect to the carapace. 
2) take the padding part to a seamstress, cobbler or upholsterer to see if they could open the stitching, trim the foam and re-stitch the padding. 
 

I have altered a couple of CPs and always got someone with a professional  / industrial sewing machine to do the work. 
 

I think it’s just going to be an on-going hassle if you duct-tape it. Do it right and not have to worry about it. 

[BT_Blue]

You should be able to trim along the seams where you would make the "wings" smaller. I wonder if maybe you also bought a version that was to big for you. The Champion is one of the few that get wider as they get longer. So if you would normally use a 14" and got the 17" (I can't remember if those are actual measurements or not). Then it would probably be to wide for you. 

Regardless... I support Brad's #2 idea above. Take it to a seamstress, shoe cobbler, and/or upholstery place (the latter two would probably be best as they are more used to working with heavier material than your standard seamstress) to see what they can do or to close up what ever it was you butchered on your own. Lol

[Hudsonbandits6]

On 4/27/2023 at 3:22 AM, BT_Blue said:

You should be able to trim along the seams where you would make the "wings" smaller. I wonder if maybe you also bought a version that was to big for you. The Champion is one of the few that get wider as they get longer. So if you would normally use a 14" and got the 17" (I can't remember if those are actual measurements or not). Then it would probably be to wide for you. 

Regardless... I support Brad's #2 idea above. Take it to a seamstress, shoe cobbler, and/or upholstery place (the latter two would probably be best as they are more used to working with heavier material than your standard seamstress) to see what they can do or to close up what ever it was you butchered on your own. Lol

Yes I did buy it a bit larger. Was my first hard shell and liked the idea of having that extended protection so I went right to the 17". I obviously didn't take into account it might be wider in addition to longer. I ran it by a couple local umpires as well over the weekend, and they all made similar suggestions of going to see a shoe repair shop or something along those lines, so I'll have to block off a large enough break between games to get it done soon.