At Face Value (Magnesium Masks & Other Things)

[DerekGDS]

3 minutes ago, Rock Bottom said:

So, are you saying the mesh isn't good under 70? 

No, it's fine in all temps but if you're working in warmer climates/temps all the time I wouldn't recommend the microfiber suede personally. Some might not care at all but it retains more heat and might not be the most comfortable option in warmer temps. Just my personal opinion.

[BLWizzRanger]

On 10/3/2025 at 1:27 PM, BLWizzRanger said:

For those that have bought the GD mask, I did receive the email for the discounted pads today. I gotta figure out which ones compliment my TW ones since I only skimmed the descriptions earlier.

WTBS, is there anyone thinking of adding a throat guard on their mask? Comparing mine, the GD mask extends roughly an inch lower than my Wilson one and it is at a better angle reducing more exposure. But, I am not sure I feel most protected with the way I stand. Probably going to jinx myself over thinking about it.

Sent from my SM-F721U1 using Tapatalk
 

I just wanted to followup on this concerning the TG. 

I was able to use my mask with TW pads this weekend.  With my chest protector and mask, the mask did extend below my CP's neck line with me just standing up.  When in my crouch, it was the same.  Maybe the angle opened up slightly between the TG and my chest but I didn't feel exposed like I thought I would for a straight shot from a bat to my throat.  Of course, I will be taking the risk for the ball that bounces from the ground up.

[Rock Bottom]

@DerekGDS Assuming games are over 70° do you have a recommendation on which core to get? I'm torn between the Cloud and Shear (I'm not worried about the price difference). It's the extra 1.1 ounces on the Shear noticeable? Anything else to consider? 

[wolfe_man]

...

[Marcus6]

3 hours ago, wolfe_man said:

Get 'em both if money is no consideration.

thats what I did!

[Rock Bottom]

8 hours ago, wolfe_man said:

Get 'em both if money is no consideration.

Well, the Cloud is out of stock, but I texted Gerry Davis and they said they'd give the sale price when it comes back in 1Q26; I did end up getting the Shear with the mesh cover while I wait.

The only thing I'm wondering is how the Shear will feel weight-wise - one of the great things about the Mirage is how light it is - especially since I have it paired up with the All-Star mag pads right now; the Shear w/cover will be at least a few ounces heavier (the weight of the cover isn't listed).

[834k3r]

On 10/4/2025 at 7:13 PM, FranklinT said:

Looks like the Cloud4 is sold out - can us early adopters get the chance to backorder @DerekGDS?

Please @DerekGDS?

[DerekGDS]

I'll take care of anyone who cannot get them right now due to out of stock. Just shoot me a PM or derek@ and I'll get everything in line for when stock is available again.

[BLWizzRanger]

9 hours ago, DerekGDS said:

I'll take care of anyone who cannot get them right now due to out of stock. Just shoot me a PM or derek@ and I'll get everything in line for when stock is available again.

@DerekGDS I know I added the socks in the PM but I got to thinking (and someone else might ask this question)....  does this offer include the socks or should be buy them now? Either way is fine with me but it might save GD money in shipping costs if free shipping is offered for both.

[DerekGDS]

4 hours ago, BLWizzRanger said:

@DerekGDS I know I added the socks in the PM but I got to thinking (and someone else might ask this question)....  does this offer include the socks or should be buy them now? Either way is fine with me but it might save GD money in shipping costs if free shipping is offered for both.

Yes, I will honor the pricing for anyone who wishes to wait to get everything in hand at once and avoid a separate shipping fee. 

[wolfe_man]

...

[Marcus6]

8 hours ago, wolfe_man said:

This is excellent service guys!  I hope you remember GDS when considering your next umpire apparel, gear & equipment purchases.  You won't get this level of service at most retailers. 

GDS is a class act. Got my package today - the quality seems tremendous.  Little hard getting the pads into the socks but got them in without destroying the zipper on the socks.

[DerekGDS]

58 minutes ago, FranklinT said:

Little hard getting the pads into the socks but got them in without destroying the zipper on the socks.

Yes, it does take some effort to get them into the socks and requires two hands. Get the pads in there good, then compress the pads, while zippering and take it slow. It's a good 1-2 minute process but we upgraded the zippers to *hopefully* prevent the issues we had with the smaller zippers in the prototypes. Since that change we haven't had any issues with our durability testing.

[MadMax]

Just a reminder, guys... 

@DerekGDS and I came up with this system of "Cores & Socks" because:

• The anecdotal direction (or advisement) of "change your mask pads yearly" has next-to-no technical basis. Far more often than not, the innards of mask pads – the cores – are intact and will continue to perform adequately for (multiple) years. Surely, the skins / casings – the socks (in our current lingo) – take all the abuse that would intrinsically "age" or render the mask pads no longer effective. The sweat, the grime, the dirt, the tobacco juice, the UV rays, the heat, the cold, etc. 
• The materials (the foams, et. al.) used on mask pads and on chest protectors & shinguards are all largely the same... so why are mask pads advised to be changed yearly, but not the other units? Surely, then, it can't be a temporal (time) thing... it must be an "exposure" thing... 
• If anything ages Core material more rapidly, it's exposure to detergents and all those activities involved with cleaning. So if mask pads need to be cleaned to be "effectively presentable", then the best method is to separate the outer casing from the core. So we did exactly that. 
  The casings – the socks – can be separated from the cores, and washed repeatedly, or replaced outright, without affecting the cores. 
• If the anecdotal direction is based on time, then surely you want to use your mask pads as often as possible. So a set of pads just sitting on a (spare) mask frame are "aging out", too, right? Without you even using them? 
  So, with our method, you can have multiple socks, in a variety of fabrics and colors (or readiness of cleanliness), then encase your one set of cores and optimize / maximize the use of them. 

Additionally, manufacturers currently have to factor in that traditional mask pads may sit in storage / warehouse for prolonged periods of time, simply because they're in a color or fabric type of little appeal to the market (pink? black leather?). As such, the "engineering effort" on the core structures and materials hits the lowest common denominator... which is where we get the typical sofa cushions on your face. With our method, the cores can be the best-engineered pieces on the market, optimized to be put into immediate use (instead of sitting on a shelf or in a warehouse somewhere), and effective for a prolonged span of time, with the latitude to change colors / fabric with ease. 

Am I going to spend $50-$65 on a set of "special edition" pads to use on a game on a special event (Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, Canada Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, etc.)? When I already have a set of pads in black? Probably not. Would I spend $20-$25 if it meant using (all) my existing gear, and looking completely dapper for the event game? Oh heck yes. 

I'm especially looking forward to not having 5 masks anymore! Just 2, with two sets of cores... and anywhere between 6-8 different sets of socks. 😎

So! That's the story... go out there, use this system, it was made with you – all of yoU – in mind. Other colors are coming, and I'm sure Derek has a cavalcade of fabrics on his list... 

[834k3r]

Got my socks and Cloud pads yesterday--thanks @DerekGDS!

As I was putting the pads into the microsuede socks--taking off my tan TW pads in the process--I had an idea to see if the TW pads will fit inside the socks (they do).

Not sure about the compression changes and implications to pad performance (especially for the brow pad--it was a tight fit) but I can confirm the TW pads will fit inside the socks.

[umpstu]

On 10/10/2025 at 7:28 AM, MadMax said:

Just a reminder, guys... 

@DerekGDS and I came up with this system of "Cores & Socks" because:

• The anecdotal direction (or advisement) of "change your mask pads yearly" has next-to-no technical basis. Far more often than not, the innards of mask pads – the cores – are intact and will continue to perform adequately for (multiple) years. Surely, the skins / casings – the socks (in our current lingo) – take all the abuse that would intrinsically "age" or render the mask pads no longer effective. The sweat, the grime, the dirt, the tobacco juice, the UV rays, the heat, the cold, etc. 
• The materials (the foams, et. al.) used on mask pads and on chest protectors & shinguards are all largely the same... so why are mask pads advised to be changed yearly, but not the other units? Surely, then, it can't be a temporal (time) thing... it must be an "exposure" thing... 
• If anything ages Core material more rapidly, it's exposure to detergents and all those activities involved with cleaning. So if mask pads need to be cleaned to be "effectively presentable", then the best method is to separate the outer casing from the core. So we did exactly that. 
  The casings – the socks – can be separated from the cores, and washed repeatedly, or replaced outright, without affecting the cores. 
• If the anecdotal direction is based on time, then surely you want to use your mask pads as often as possible. So a set of pads just sitting on a (spare) mask frame are "aging out", too, right? Without you even using them? 
  So, with our method, you can have multiple socks, in a variety of fabrics and colors (or readiness of cleanliness), then encase your one set of cores and optimize / maximize the use of them. 

Additionally, manufacturers currently have to factor in that traditional mask pads may sit in storage / warehouse for prolonged periods of time, simply because they're in a color or fabric type of little appeal to the market (pink? black leather?). As such, the "engineering effort" on the core structures and materials hits the lowest common denominator... which is where we get the typical sofa cushions on your face. With our method, the cores can be the best-engineered pieces on the market, optimized to be put into immediate use (instead of sitting on a shelf or in a warehouse somewhere), and effective for a prolonged span of time, with the latitude to change colors / fabric with ease. 

Am I going to spend $50-$65 on a set of "special edition" pads to use on a game on a special event (Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, Canada Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, etc.)? When I already have a set of pads in black? Probably not. Would I spend $20-$25 if it meant using (all) my existing gear, and looking completely dapper for the event game? Oh heck yes. 

I'm especially looking forward to not having 5 masks anymore! Just 2, with two sets of cores... and anywhere between 6-8 different sets of socks. 😎

So! That's the story... go out there, use this system, it was made with you – all of yoU – in mind. Other colors are coming, and I'm sure Derek has a cavalcade of fabrics on his list... 

This might have been discussed elsewhere, but do these newfangled pads have those plastic plates in them like the All Star pad does?

[DerekGDS]

31 minutes ago, umpstu said:

This might have been discussed elsewhere, but do these newfangled pads have those plastic plates in them like the All Star pad does?

They have 1mm HDPE disbursement plates on all top and bottom cores.

[DerekGDS]

52 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

As I was putting the pads into the microsuede socks--taking off my tan TW pads in the process--I had an idea to see if the TW pads will fit inside the socks (they do).

Not sure about the compression changes and implications to pad performance (especially for the brow pad--it was a tight fit) but I can confirm the TW pads will fit inside the socks.

[834k3r]

3 hours ago, DerekGDS said:

In my defense it was more proof of concept than anything else. But with the shortage of cloud pads, I could have a fallback without having to swap the pads from one set of socks to the other.

[MadMax]

On 10/15/2025 at 10:27 AM, 834k3r said:

I had an idea to see if the TW pads will fit inside the socks (they do).

Not sure about the compression changes and implications to pad performance (especially for the brow pad--it was a tight fit) but I can confirm the TW pads will fit inside the socks.

... <once MadMax has been revived> ... 

Ergo, what we now need to next do is recover / reclaim "worn out" TW mask pads, and then... <ahem> excoriate* 😬 them, separating the casing – with all those superfluous velcro tabs and technical fabric – from the Zorbium (the patented foam of TW) core. Then, cleanse the core (with the proper soap) and then try it in a Davis PadSock. I can bet you the fit will be much, much better. 

Derek was initially toying with PadSocks that had the distributor plate already set inside them. It was an (inferior) alternative to what he's pushed my design concept to now in the form of a robust core structure, with a PadSock having as simple and flexible structure to it as possible. Maybe... maybe... these plated PadSocks might be the ticket, at least to try this approach out. 

 

... Now, where did I stash those "wore out" Team Wendy pads?? 🤔

 

* - medical term for scalping, flaying, (entire or sectional) removal of the skin, etc. 

 

[Velho]

Wore my Shear pads yesterday. About 65F ambient (gosh darn fall here in San Jose). They were great. Softer than my stock TW (but those are 10 years old so must be worn out).

Probably won’t bother with Clouds

Also, I love that the masks harness doesn’t have to work its way though the pads like AS. 

[MadMax]

26 minutes ago, Velho said:

Softer than my stock TW (but those are 10 years old so must be worn out).

Oh? Candidates? 

[834k3r]

20 hours ago, Velho said:

Also, I love that the masks harness doesn’t have to work its way though the pads like AS.

This. And like TWs, too.

[834k3r]

22 hours ago, MadMax said:

Ergo, what we now need to next do is recover / reclaim "worn out" TW mask pads, and then... <ahem> excoriate* 😬 them, separating the casing – with all those superfluous velcro tabs and technical fabric – from the Zorbium (the patented foam of TW) core. Then, cleanse the core (with the proper soap) and then try it in a Davis PadSock. I can bet you the fit will be much, much better. 

I'll give this a shot. And you're probably spot on--the velcro tabs for the brow pad gave me the most trouble.

[wolfe_man]

...