F3 shin guard knock . . .

[The Man in Blue]

Well, my sad journey with F3 shin guards continues . . . 

Finally got the right size and will say they are comfortable.  The shell seems a little narrow from what I am used to, but the wraparound seems good so I was willing to roll with it.

I rolled with it for three games.  Ball skips past the catcher and skims the outside of my left leg.  It wasn't a direct hit, but slightly more than a graze.  I feel the strap give way and figure the buckle popped (maybe I didn't have it all the way in), but don't check.  A couple of times later in the game, I felt like something stung or bit me on the back of the leg.  Not bad enough to mess with, but definitely enough to notice.

Post game, start to strip down . . . the plastic buckle shattered.  Three games.  The buckles are sewn in, so no way to replace it or fix it myself. 

Are these really worth it?  I'm trying to decide whether to file a warranty claim with F3 or just return them to Amazon and keep searching for new shin guards.

[umpstu]

15 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

Well, my sad journey with F3 shin guards continues . . . 

Finally got the right size and will say they are comfortable.  The shell seems a little narrow from what I am used to, but the wraparound seems good so I was willing to roll with it.

I rolled with it for three games.  Ball skips past the catcher and skims the outside of my left leg.  It wasn't a direct hit, but slightly more than a graze.  I feel the strap give way and figure the buckle popped (maybe I didn't have it all the way in), but don't check.  A couple of times later in the game, I felt like something stung or bit me on the back of the leg.  Not bad enough to mess with, but definitely enough to notice.

Post game, start to strip down . . . the plastic buckle shattered.  Three games.  The buckles are sewn in, so no way to replace it or fix it myself. 

Are these really worth it?  I'm trying to decide whether to file a warranty claim with F3 or just return them to Amazon and keep searching for new shin guards.

Swap them for another pair of F3's. I'm one of the early adapters of their equipment and won't wear any other shin guards.

[The Man in Blue]

6 minutes ago, umpstu said:

Swap them for another pair of F3's. I'm one of the early adapters of their equipment and won't wear any other shin guards.

 

You believe this was a fluke, then?  I'm concerned they, like many other companies, started cutting corners to save on cost (or due to supply chain issues).

[Richvee]

That's one odd hit. The clips are almost behind the shin guard. I purchased mine when they first came out. Not one issue. God knows how many games. I'd buy another pair if needed in a heartbeat. 

[Velho]

F3 are my shins of choice. Unless it floods, then I'll put on my Wilson Platinums.

[Kevin_K]

Like others who have chimed in, I use only F3 shin guards. I haven't seen anything that any other shin guards offer that could persuade me to use them.

Is it possible that you may have been over-rotated? Or maybe that you went into the kill zone because you were getting squeezed by the batter? I'm having difficulty picturing how the ball would have hit one of the buckles if you were in the slot and mostly square to the pitcher.

If they are new I'd definitely reach out to whomever I bought them from for  replacement.

[MadMax]

3 hours ago, Velho said:

F3 are my shins of choice. Unless it floods, then I'll put on my Wilson Platinums.

“In Bay weather news, a monsoon is reportedly rolling into the region… “ 

5 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

the plastic buckle shattered.  Three games.  The buckles are sewn in, so no way to replace it or fix it myself. 

I can fix it. 

Either… 

• They’re new enough that if you order a new set on Amazon and then return those damaged ones, in the same packaging, you can claim defect / damage in shipping. 
• Or, I can locate a replacement SR buckle for you on Amazon, and send you the link. It requires no tools, other than some heavy scissors or shears. You completely remove the damaged buckle, so all that’s left is the webbing loop, and then the replacement SR buckle has an internally-threaded pin to allow you to mount it. 

[834k3r]

4 hours ago, Richvee said:

That's one odd hit. The clips are almost behind the shin guard. I purchased mine when they first came out. Not one issue. God knows how many games. I'd buy another pair if needed in a heartbeat. 

Same.

[834k3r]

42 minutes ago, MadMax said:

SR buckle for you on Amazon

I'm interested if only to have some spares with my gear.

[The Man in Blue]

1 hour ago, Kevin_K said:

Like others who have chimed in, I use only F3 shin guards. I haven't seen anything that any other shin guards offer that could persuade me to use them.

Is it possible that you may have been over-rotated? Or maybe that you went into the kill zone because you were getting squeezed by the batter? I'm having difficulty picturing how the ball would have hit one of the buckles if you were in the slot and mostly square to the pitcher.

If they are new I'd definitely reach out to whomever I bought them from for  replacement.

Yeah, it was odd.  I don't think I was over-rotated and I didn't move.  I typically have that leg in line with the batter and use my inside leg as a reference point (near the outside edge of the plate).  The catchers were squirrelly (it was a men's wooden bat league) but I don't move with them.  Like I said, it wasn't a direct hit.  No impact.  It just grazed by.  I was aware it got me because I felt the tap and then the strap go loose.  Weird.

[umpstu]

3 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

Yeah, it was odd.  I don't think I was over-rotated and I didn't move.  I typically have that leg in line with the batter and use my inside leg as a reference point (near the outside edge of the plate).  The catchers were squirrelly (it was a men's wooden bat league) but I don't move with them.  Like I said, it wasn't a direct hit.  No impact.  It just grazed by.  I was aware it got me because I felt the tap and then the strap go loose.  Weird.

Perfect Storm type of thing

[grayhawk]

Had mine for many years with nary an issue. I've taken some wicked shots and never felt a thing.