At Face Value (Magnesium Masks & Other Things)

[834k3r]

11 minutes ago, wolfe_man said:

Maybe just cut off the velcro tabs first without taking the zorbium out of the fabric casing.

A decent strategy for sure--but I'm not sure it gains (saves?) me anything. Tabs come off they can't be used in a mask--same as if the fabric cover is off.

[Rock Bottom]

Has anyone received the Cloud4 pads with sock? If so could you share the weight of the mask w/pads and socks, NOT including the harness. I have the Shear3, and haven't used them yet - they seem to be really high quality, but I think the sock/core innovation adds a fair amount of weight, so I'd like to know how much lighter the Cloud4/sock combo is. For comparison, NOT including the mask harness, these are my findings:

All-Star FM4000 Steel/AS mag pads: 15.80 ounces

Mirage 12/AS mag pads: 15.94 ounces

Mirage 12/M12 Shear 3 pads/mesh sock: 21.45 ounces

That's a significant difference, and I'm debating sticking w/the AS pads instead and I'm still in the return period, but I do like the fact the Mirage pads are custom made for Mirage 12, plus the ABS liner in the top pad which AS doesn't have. The Cloud4 might be a more apples to apples comparison. Other thoughts?

[DerekGDS]

@Rock Bottom the Cloud4 w/ skin and frame should come in around 20.88oz. 

17 hours ago, Rock Bottom said:

I think the sock/core innovation adds a fair amount of weight

It isn't necessarily the format (sure the zipper adds some weight but it is negligible), but rather the material choices. What is inside the cores and the functionality of how everything works together is far different then AS pads. 

[MadMax]

On 10/17/2025 at 1:07 PM, 834k3r said:

A decent strategy for sure--but I'm not sure it gains (saves?) me anything. Tabs come off they can't be used in a mask--same as if the fabric cover is off.

While I'm not one to argue with my esteemed gear-geek colleague @wolfe_man, I'm looking at taking the casing off the Zorbium completely, thus "freeing" the Zorbium. Here's why:

• I have yet to actually see the construct of the Team Wendy mask pads in person; I've always been chickensh!t to open one up or dissect it, because they're expensive, and I don't know how to sew so as to rebuild a casing for it (with tabs, no less). While I've had no qualms about cutting apart everyone else's pads (Force3's are a trip) so as to reveal just how shoddily they're constructed, I just can't bring myself to do so with a set of Team Wendy's... regardless of how beaten / weathered / damaged the casings are. Now that we have PadSocks on the market, I have a method of... well... (potentially) not losing that valuable Zorbium foam core. 
• I have a hunch that with proper cleansing and (pro)long(ed) drying time, possibly paired with silica beads in a sarcophagus (airtight container), that the loft and "cushiness" of Zorbium can be recovered. What causes them to compress and harden is the presence of sweat, salt, and moisture "sticking around" in the Zorbium. Of course, this is exacerbated by using laundry detergents to launder the pads; which one does when the pad casings get tarnished. Tarnished pads are (potential) demerits for umpires, and the only real tell-tale sign that pads "need to be changed". The problem here is that cleansing with a technical soap doesn't necessarily remove the red clay marks on the casing, or the salt stains, or the dip-juice stains; afflictions to the casings that often preclude the directive or decision to replace one's pads. 
• There will be weight and fit "savings" by eliminating the tabs and casing. 

Throughout my study and experimentation with masks (and mask pads), and my consultations with @DerekGDS, we've endeavored to hit the balance point between effort and effectiveness – how much effort has to be put in by the manufacturer and the user vs. how effective the resulting product will be... especially over time (frequency of games and weeks, months, years). 

The fondness for Team Wendy's is a combination of feel and the proven source (FTWDK Team Wendy's origin story is anti-TBI), and while they have their shortcomings (*cough* don't do/feel well in cold temperatures *cough cough*), they are argued as "the best" mask pads formerly on the market. By comparison, there is nothing – no research, no testing, no evidence neither empirical nor logical – to demonstrate that Wilson MemFoams are "better" than Team Wendy's... yet, MemFoams are purchased and used because "they feel good". 

So yes, feel is a big part of it. My hope with the new Davis mask pad system (cores and socks) that they not only "feel great", and they have the technical pedigree to assuage any concerns, but they also have the features and benefits that convince you to use them prolifically for season after season. 

[834k3r]

On 11/1/2025 at 8:39 AM, MadMax said:

I have yet to actually see the construct of the Team Wendy mask pads in person; I've always been chickensh!t to open one up or dissect it

Tonight, I'll pull out my daughter's seam ripper and dissect it with photos.

[Rock Bottom]

Has anyone worn the Shear3 in a game yet and can comment on it? How is the weight? How well does it absorb hits? Any other comments? 

Also, and comments on experience with the two different sock choices? I have the mesh sock - what does the microfiber suede feel like? Is it like the All-Star mag pads or something different?

THANKS!

[834k3r]

Last night I sat down with my daughter's seam ripper and dissected my TW pads.

I started with the brow pad. It took a bit of effort to get started--the stitching was really tight and well done.IMG_4720.heic

Once I got the stitch ripping started, it went pretty quickly--though the stitching where the velcro tabs are located felt more stout. Once the pad was out, it's not really anything remarkable--just black/dark gray, small cell foam. I expected a cover over the foam, but there wasn't any. Note: the areas of creasing are partly from the interior seams from the technical fabric of the TW pad, and some from the GD socks that have been covering the pads for the past few weeks.IMG_4721.heic

The foam feels more coarse than memory foam, but has the compression characteristics of memory foam. Enough so that I wonder what the lineage is from memory foam to Zorbium.

The cheek pad was definitely more of a challenge to get into--the double stitching was really tight.IMG_4722.heic

Perseverance won out over stitching though and I soon had the cheek pad out as well--and again, no interior cover over the foam.IMG_4723.heic

I tried to get a photo of just how small the cells are for the foam. First, zoomed in:IMG_4724.heic

Then, macro lens, with the seam ripper for size comparison:IMG_4725.heic

One final picture showing the brow pad (top) and the cheek pad (bottom):  IMG_4726.heic

One final note:  as @MadMax and @wolfe_man suggest, the TW pads fit much better inside the GD socks without the TW technical fabric covering.

[Velho]

15 hours ago, Rock Bottom said:

Has anyone worn the Shear3 in a game yet and can comment on it? How is the weight? How well does it absorb hits? Any other comments? 

It was fine. I'd say comfort was somewhere between Team Wendy (harder) and AS Mag (softer). Haven't noticed any difference in hits one way or the other. I've used them in ~60F+.

[Velho]

As JPEG so they show in line (previous didn't for me)

40 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

I started with the brow pad. It took a bit of effort to get started--the stitching was really tight and well done.

40 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

Once I got the stitch ripping started, it went pretty quickly--though the stitching where the velcro tabs are located felt more stout. Once the pad was out, it's not really anything remarkable--just black/dark gray, small cell foam. I expected a cover over the foam, but there wasn't any. Note: the areas of creasing are partly from the interior seams from the technical fabric of the TW pad, and some from the GD socks that have been covering the pads for the past few weeks

41 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

The foam feels more coarse than memory foam, but has the compression characteristics of memory foam. Enough so that I wonder what the lineage is from memory foam to Zorbium.

The cheek pad was definitely more of a challenge to get into--the double stitching was really tight.

 

[Velho]

41 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

Perseverance won out over stitching though and I soon had the cheek pad out as well--and again, no interior cover over the foam.

42 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

I tried to get a photo of just how small the cells are for the foam. First, zoomed in:

 

42 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

Then, macro lens, with the seam ripper for size comparison:

 

43 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

One final picture showing the brow pad (top) and the cheek pad (bottom): 

 

43 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

One final note:  as @MadMax and @wolfe_man suggest, the TW pads fit much better inside the GD socks without the TW technical fabric covering.

 

[BLWizzRanger]

Hopefully, no one takes them to the pool.

[MadMax]

On 11/3/2025 at 6:32 PM, Rock Bottom said:

Has anyone worn the Shear3 in a game yet and can comment on it? How is the weight? How well does it absorb hits? Any other comments? 

A game?! Buddy, I’ve been using them for the past 16 days straight, with a Plate game every day of my 2 daily games. 🫩

… annnnnd, every day has been over 80°, tipping more towards 90°. 🥵 5 more days to go! 

The weight, especially when equipped to the Mirage or the Trace (Davis’s rendition of the ZRO-G), makes it feel on-par with an aluminum (Wilson DynAlum, Diamond iX3) equipped with TWs or Doeskin pads. We have to remember, the Mirage frame is the lightest of the 3 cast-magnesium frames on the market. The Rampage’s standard stock pads are laughable, while the FM4K-Mag’s are substantially oversized in volume. The Davis cores are denser, and because of their laminate construction (instead of homogenous), they perform more dynamically, without “crowding your face” like the All-Stars tend to. 

Prior to getting the Davis cores & socks, I had equipped my Mirage and my Rampages (2 of them) with WindPacts, thereby achieving the lightest mask(s) in the business – you can’t beat air!! I also had my CanaryCage equipped with TWs, and a FM4K Mag equipped with LUC-Mags. And, by feel and feel only, I actually regarded the Canary w/ TWs as my “heaviest” mask. I wouldn’t avoid using any of the 5, but I began using the FM4K-Mag less and less, particularly because of the freer and less restricted sightlines with the Mirage (and the safety of the lengthened XCG!), and the experience of breaking out in zits and rashes due to irritation from the LUC-Mag pads. 

On 11/3/2025 at 6:32 PM, Rock Bottom said:

Also, and comments on experience with the two different sock choices?

By mentioning the break-outs with the LUC-Mag pads, this is where I’ve become especially fond of the lattice-mesh padsocks. At least thru the 16 games so far, I’ve shaved twice, and haven’t had any irritation, break-outs, or stubble snags. I also have the micro-suede padsocks, and I wasn’t as much of a fan. That could be because I was never a big fan of leather, either, and I was already projecting my routine use of the padcores in warm-hot temperatures. I dare say, the Davis padsock lattice-mesh is a better feel than the Team Wendy’s technical fabric, and that’s saying a lot. 

9 hours ago, 834k3r said:

Last night I sat down with my daughter's seam ripper and dissected my TW pads.

Thanks for doing this. I, too, feel underwhelmed. The TW Zorbium pads are just minimally-shaped lumps. Certainly, they are much better and have more shape than the formless sausages of Wilson, but they’ve got nothing on the All-Stars and Honig’s pads… which @DerekGDS really pursued with gusto when guiding the design process on the pads we now have. 

9 hours ago, 834k3r said:

as @MadMax and @wolfe_man suggest, the TW pads fit much better inside the GD socks without the TW technical fabric covering.

That’s outstanding to hear… I really needed this to happen. This sets up three paths to progress into: 

1. Reconditioning and rejuvenating “dead” TW pads; harvesting the cores, cleansing them (properly), and encasing them in padsocks. 
2. Pushing Derek to make (more! more! more!!) padsocks in sand/tan, sky blue, navy (for you poor bastages)… digital camo(?)… carbon-fiber print(?)… 
3. Formulating a concept brief for WindPact. 

[Rock Bottom]

Thanks @MadMax !!! I'm assuming you are using the Shear3 more than the Cloud4 (or maybe I'm wrong) but can you comment on the Cloud4 vs. the All-Star Mag pads - any preference with the Mirage12 - I'm just debating with myself whether to add the Cloud4 pads in addition to the Shear3 (I have two Mirage12 masks so I can put one set of pads on each). I'm going to use the Shear for HS games (kids around here are throwing in the high 80s low 90s), but for the 14U and below games I was debating between the Cloud4 and ASMags. Thanks again for your always helpful posts!

[834k3r]

14 hours ago, MadMax said:

Reconditioning and rejuvenating “dead” TW pads; harvesting the cores, cleansing them (properly), and encasing them in padsocks. 

Based on my experience in dissection, anything suitable for memory foam cleaning should be suitable for Zorbium, I would think.

[DerekGDS]

For anyone who has been waiting for a silver frame, it will be available late December/early January.

[boyinr]

On 11/4/2025 at 12:24 PM, Velho said:

 

 

 

 

I feel like I’ve seen the inside of Stretch Armstrong

[umpstu]

On 11/6/2025 at 10:03 AM, DerekGDS said:

For anyone who has been waiting for a silver frame, it will be available late December/early January.

Oh man

[Velho]

Just got back from San Bernadino LL week long clinic. Two MiLB umpires came to help for a day or two (in addition to the one that was there the entire time). They both circled back to my Mirage w/ gray socks 2-3 times to give it the goo-goo eyes. One fellow student also fell in love with it.

[tpatience]

On 11/13/2025 at 12:28 PM, Velho said:

Just got back from San Bernadino LL week long clinic. Two MiLB umpires came to help for a day or two (in addition to the one that was there the entire time). They both circled back to my Mirage w/ gray socks 2-3 times to give it the goo-goo eyes. One fellow student also fell in love with it.

👀

[concertman1971]

On 11/17/2025 at 8:56 PM, tpatience said:

👀

Trevor- Hit me up! You me and Bradley can get a beer. I can share all of the mask/pad colors and combos. 

 

Side by side pics of the black and silver coming soon......

[AtlUmp]

Has anyone tried fitting the current socks to either of the Japanese Mizunos? The product page only mentions fitting the Nike Ti and Wilson Dynalite style masks and I haven't seen anyone post about trying it on here.

[AtlUmp]

Fun fact, since I was bought the mask I have a set of pad socks now and tried them in both the 1DJQH120 and 1DJQH200.

The chin pad fits well in the 1DJQH120 but the top pad is...interesting.

 

Meanwhile, the 1DJQH200 is the opposite with the top pad fitting well but the chin pad either doesn't fit right or compacts the middle mold depending on how you tighten it down.

 

 

 

Looking forward to trying out the Cloud4 Pads with the late cold we're getting in Virginia and hopefully the universal socks are still in the pipeline my Team Wendy's could use a new cover.

[wolfe_man]

Anyone want to trade new black suede socks for mesh of any color? I have two sets of the suede and I prefer the mesh. I'll even trade for used ones if they're in good shape.  

[834k3r]

Took an 80-ish mph foul straight to the eyes wearing my Mirage with Cloud pads yesterday. Felt the impact, sure. 3-4 fans and both varsity coaches asked if I was okay. Honestly? It was a non-event.

Thanks for a great mask, @DerekGDS and team!

[wolfe_man]

I've now taken 4 mask shots to my Mirage with Cloud4 pads... no ill effects.  My titanium-reinforced (spinal fusion) neck isn't even sore from the impacts either. This mask with its cores/socks is a 10/10 in my book.

Over the years, I've had them all (Nike Ti, Steel, Wilson DynAlum, Mizuno 2qa-121 and 122, Diamond, Zro-G, etc.) and each time I wear this Mirage I like it a little more than my previous frames.  I really like the extended throat/chin guard.  Plus, this mask just seems to slide on and off my head so easily with the standard Davis harness - I almost  look like a pro whipping my mask on and off quickly!

Note: My setup does include a skull cap, which I also recommend.  I am confident that using a skull cap has saved me at least one concussion over the last few years. I also find it a bit cooler and don't have to keep buying plate hats now.