Tall skinny Posted May 23 Report Share Posted May 23 In Canada, on the hunt for a new chest protector with the best protection for someone tall and thin umping high school, men's, etc. A bit uninformed as I've been using a basic Wilson for 7 years. Was thinking the one in photo but $500 (after clown... I mean Canadian... exchange rate) is a bit much for me right now. Any suggestions? https://www.ump-attire.com/Products/F3-CPv3/Force3-V3-Ultimate-Umpire-Chest-Protector-With-Dupont-Kevlar- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMax Posted May 23 Report Share Posted May 23 1 hour ago, Tall skinny said: after clown... I mean Canadian... exchange rate Paging Ottawa… now paging Ottawa… 1 hour ago, Tall skinny said: Any suggestions? Yup. Save your money on purchasing a brand new Force3 UnEqual. If you’re “tall and skinny”, like your handle alludes, then the best two CPs for you will be the Douglas PDV or the Champion P2xx. The Douglas will be the most bomb-proof of the two, but I am not a fan of the upholstery (sofa, couch) foam they use in it. For the premium price, they could do a lot better. That being said, their website may not state it right now, but there is a 15” model, and I can vouch for its effectiveness for slimmer, taller body frames (not me, but direct colleagues). The Champion P2xx has been the darling of Minor League (MiLB) umpires, especially those at the “budget-aware” end of the spectrum. It appeals to these new professional umpires because it isn’t bulky, it isn’t heavy, and it isn’t unjustifiably expensive (ie. Wilson). Wearers look slim, trim, and athletic. The P2xx is offered in a 17” (P200), a 15” (P210), and a 13” (P220)… but importantly, regardless the length, the width (rather narrow) stays the same! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tall skinny Posted May 23 Author Report Share Posted May 23 2 hours ago, MadMax said: Paging Ottawa… now paging Ottawa… Yup. Save your money on purchasing a brand new Force3 UnEqual. If you’re “tall and skinny”, like your handle alludes, then the best two CPs for you will be the Douglas PDV or the Champion P2xx. The Douglas will be the most bomb-proof of the two, but I am not a fan of the upholstery (sofa, couch) foam they use in it. For the premium price, they could do a lot better. That being said, their website may not state it right now, but there is a 15” model, and I can vouch for its effectiveness for slimmer, taller body frames (not me, but direct colleagues). The Champion P2xx has been the darling of Minor League (MiLB) umpires, especially those at the “budget-aware” end of the spectrum. It appeals to these new professional umpires because it isn’t bulky, it isn’t heavy, and it isn’t unjustifiably expensive (ie. Wilson). Wearers look slim, trim, and athletic. The P2xx is offered in a 17” (P200), a 15” (P210), and a 13” (P220)… but importantly, regardless the length, the width (rather narrow) stays the same! Ottawa is deaf it seems. Huge thanks for the detailed response! If I splurge on the F3, is it also a good fit for tall/skinny? The Champion P200 is much cheaper but looks cumbersome. I really like that it doesn't get wider with length though. Any others like that? Do you have a Canadian link for the F3 by chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin_K Posted May 24 Report Share Posted May 24 12 hours ago, Tall skinny said: The Champion P200 is much cheaper but looks cumbersome. It isn't. Several years ago I went to the Champion hard shell and have no concerns. After a season I added another so I could switch them out to preserve their shelf lives. I added @Razzer's harness with each one and have not even considered another purchase since. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UMP45 Posted May 24 Report Share Posted May 24 20 hours ago, Tall skinny said: In Canada, on the hunt for a new chest protector with the best protection for someone tall and thin umping high school, men's, etc. A bit uninformed as I've been using a basic Wilson for 7 years. Was thinking the one in photo but $500 (after clown... I mean Canadian... exchange rate) is a bit much for me right now. Any suggestions? https://www.ump-attire.com/Products/F3-CPv3/Force3-V3-Ultimate-Umpire-Chest-Protector-With-Dupont-Kevlar- If you have a friend in the states maybe ask for help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMax Posted May 24 Report Share Posted May 24 18 hours ago, Tall skinny said: Do you have a Canadian link for the F3 by chance? I’ll answer your question with a question – Do you have a Canadian colleague who owns a Force3 UnEqual, by which you can try it on before purchasing it? Physically, they’re not for everyone. They are made “One Size Fits Most”, and while I endorse the technological effort and quality – and I’ve worn one* – I do not agree with the technical design, application, and the route they’ve taken in correcting its flaws (design-wise). Think of it as painting yourself into a corner; sure, the paint job looks fantastic, but now you’re stuck with it, and in that corner, for awhile. Better planning and prototyping may have remedied this. I also do not endorse it as a gear tinkerer, because I can’t modify it, size and dimensions -wise, without putting in more resources and effort than what is warranted by the unit’s price tag. This is one of the key reasons I hold such contempt and vitriol for Wilson – if you’re paying $200+ for it, it should have the latest, best materials and methodology to it, and you shouldn’t have to do much enhancement at all. I still have to tear a brand-new Wilson Gold apart to get the best fit for it. But hey! The Force3 might just fit you perfectly! Won’t know unless you try it… I just don’t want all the hoops you’d have to jump thru to get one, full retail, to exhaust you in the process. * It was a V2, and please understand, I routinely work in high-heat, both temperature (85°-110° F) and pitch velocity (85-100 MPH). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeingEyeDog Posted May 25 Report Share Posted May 25 On 5/23/2024 at 4:08 PM, MadMax said: That being said, their website may not state it right now, but there is a 15” model... Yes, can confirm the existence of the 15" Douglas! It appears in the description of the CP that they offer a 15" but, it's not an option on the drop down box when trying to select it to order however... As with all things Douglas...if you need a 15" CP or any other personal attention to your Douglas equipment purchases, please contact Jeff Cook directly. He goes by "Cookie" as a nickname. He's at 716-697-9787 or jeffcook@douglaspads.com For the final adjustment on the slim figured umpire, gently heat up the chest plates with a hair dryer and then mold the chest protector around your torso for that wrap-around fit. ~Dawg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCBrad Posted May 27 Report Share Posted May 27 On 5/23/2024 at 3:24 PM, Tall skinny said: Ottawa is deaf it seems. Huge thanks for the detailed response! If I splurge on the F3, is it also a good fit for tall/skinny? The Champion P200 is much cheaper but looks cumbersome. I really like that it doesn't get wider with length though. Any others like that? Do you have a Canadian link for the F3 by chance? https://homerunsports.com/products/force3-umpire-chest-protector-with-dupont-kevlar If this is the one @MadMax was talking about, you can order it here. Nice thing is they are a Canadian retailer. Only have to pay sales tax and shipping. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tall skinny Posted May 29 Author Report Share Posted May 29 On 5/27/2024 at 11:34 AM, BCBrad said: https://homerunsports.com/products/force3-umpire-chest-protector-with-dupont-kevlar If this is the one @MadMax was talking about, you can order it here. Nice thing is they are a Canadian retailer. Only have to pay sales tax and shipping. Thank you to all who helped! Going to splurge hoping for the best with the above Canadian link - much appreciated BCBrad. It's a two hour drive to this store but my wheels aren't overly reliable and gas... $$. Worst case scenario, have to ship back and try another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recontra Posted May 29 Report Share Posted May 29 I have a long torso as well. Started with a Wilson Platinum, it was bullet proof, but it wouldn’t cover my lowest two ribs on either side, and after taking some shots which bruised a rib (sore for weeks), I sold it to a normal torso volunteer LL umpire for $40. Three chest protectors I’ve used which definitely cover my lower ribs (and some of my tummy) are: Force3 (I had the original and upgraded to the newer version with added hard plates a couple years ago). Love it. Very customizable, and have taken 90 mph+ and just felt a “slap” that didn’t hurt. My only criticisms are the price (high), and for some reason I’ve felt impacts to the lower shoulder like in the arm pit area. Maybe I need to adjust the shoulder plates down. Douglas 3-Panel (15”) has 3 front plates This thing is bullet proof. Have taken 90 mph+ doing some volunteer D-1 Fall and Winter games, and felt absolutely nothing. No criticism whatsoever with the protection. That 3rd panel definitely covers my lower ribs and part of my tummy. My criticisms are that it is kind of bulky, and because the hard plates are so thick (a good thing), they don’t really round around/hug the torso. I tried heating the plates, bending them, etc. to make the protector lower profile, but the plates always went back to square. The protector is also hot—not good ventilation. but it is solid protection. All Star Cobalt with lower extension Great protector, light weight, and covers everything the other two do for us long torso guys. Great protection. My criticism concerns the lower abdomen extension, as it sticks out on the sides like wings. People here have posted a partial fix for that. I ended up giving mine away to a young college umpire who didn’t need the lower extension, and he continues to love it—he previously used a Wilson Platinum. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tall skinny Posted June 9 Author Report Share Posted June 9 On 5/29/2024 at 5:02 PM, Recontra said: Force3 (I had the original and upgraded to the newer version with added hard plates a couple years ago). Love it. Very customizable, and have taken 90 mph+ and just felt a “slap” that didn’t hurt. My only criticisms are the price (high), and for some reason I’ve felt impacts to the lower shoulder like in the arm pit area. Maybe I need to adjust the shoulder plates down. Do you have any difficulty with the neck being too small? The sides are rubbing against my neck. It isn't tight, just making my skin red and uncomfortable. Wondering if there is a solution. Took the small top plate off and made it tighter (so the bigger area is around/closer to neck) but still getting that rubbing/redenned area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Man in Blue Posted June 10 Report Share Posted June 10 7 hours ago, Tall skinny said: Do you have any difficulty with the neck being too small? The sides are rubbing against my neck. It isn't tight, just making my skin red and uncomfortable. Wondering if there is a solution. Took the small top plate off and made it tighter (so the bigger area is around/closer to neck) but still getting that rubbing/redenned area. See your post in the other thread . . . I think you answered one of my questions here, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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