Mask Pads Recommendation

[VABlue]

I recently purchased a Diamond Big League mask. I love the light weight but not a fan of the cheek pad. It's pretty thick and high, taking away a lot of my view. Any recommendations to adjust the stock pad or suggestions for different pads?

[MadMax]

4 hours ago, VABlue said:

I recently purchased a Diamond Big League mask.

I love Diamond’s marketing scheme – produce an excellent mask, throw pads on it so thin and pathetic that you’d actually choose a mallet to the groin over a mask shot, and then when faced (bad pun) with the reality that your mask is being shamed for being so dangerous, you simply… double the thickness of that pathetic foam… and then call it (ahem) … Big League. 
OoooOOOoooo. 

@VABlue, you chose a really good mask frame. It was designed by longtime MLBU Gerry Davis, and produced by Diamond in aircraft-quality aluminum, which allowed it to be (relative to its contemporaries) one of the lightest masks on the market at that time (of introduction in 2007-8), with a greatly reduced chance of bending. It’s got an extended crown guard, and that square-chisel Extended Chin Guard (XCG) allows just about any DTG to hang on or behind it; or go without one! No worries!

The only Achilles heels it suffered were aluminum’s tendency to shear before bending, leading to popped welds, and the aforementioned pathetic stock pads. 
This mask was so successful, it got the big yelloW slug to finally budge, and make aluminum masks, too! 

So, just about any pads from the major manufacturers will improve the situation. Wilson’s 🐌 wrap-around pads fit (and, the dual-color “Fonzi” pads look treí sheik), as do Honig’s pads, and All-Star LUC pads. +POS AirChambers fit in there rather well. Wilson 🐌 MemFoams and indeed, Team Wendy’s, will fit, but they’ll feel a little thin if you’re not used to it. All-Star LUC-Mags will likely irritate you, because they’re just as voluminous as the Diamond BigLeaguers you’ve got. 

The best functioning mask pads on the market are the WindPacts, equipped on select EvoShield and UnderArmour masks. 

I’ll express my bias, GerryDavis Sports is debuting new pads within the next year. They’ll be incredible, and will help – alongside WindPacts and LUC-Mags – change the (mis)perception on what role mask pads play in a protection system. 

[Ump242]

11 hours ago, VABlue said:

I recently purchased a Diamond Big League mask. I love the light weight but not a fan of the cheek pad. It's pretty thick and high, taking away a lot of my view. Any recommendations to adjust the stock pad or suggestions for different pads?

100% All-Star Magnesium 4000 pads

[VABlue]

14 hours ago, MadMax said:

I love Diamond’s marketing scheme – produce an excellent mask, throw pads on it so thin and pathetic that you’d actually choose a mallet to the groin over a mask shot, and then when faced (bad pun) with the reality that your mask is being shamed for being so dangerous, you simply… double the thickness of that pathetic foam… and then call it (ahem) … Big League. 
OoooOOOoooo. 

@VABlue, you chose a really good mask frame. It was designed by longtime MLBU Gerry Davis, and produced by Diamond in aircraft-quality aluminum, which allowed it to be (relative to its contemporaries) one of the lightest masks on the market at that time (of introduction in 2007-8), with a greatly reduced chance of bending. It’s got an extended crown guard, and that square-chisel Extended Chin Guard (XCG) allows just about any DTG to hang on or behind it; or go without one! No worries!

The only Achilles heels it suffered were aluminum’s tendency to shear before bending, leading to popped welds, and the aforementioned pathetic stock pads. 
This mask was so successful, it got the big yelloW slug to finally budge, and make aluminum masks, too! 

So, just about any pads from the major manufacturers will improve the situation. Wilson’s 🐌 wrap-around pads fit (and, the dual-color “Fonzi” pads look treí sheik), as do Honig’s pads, and All-Star LUC pads. +POS AirChambers fit in there rather well. Wilson 🐌 MemFoams and indeed, Team Wendy’s, will fit, but they’ll feel a little thin if you’re not used to it. All-Star LUC-Mags will likely irritate you, because they’re just as voluminous as the Diamond BigLeaguers you’ve got. 

The best functioning mask pads on the market are the WindPacts, equipped on select EvoShield and UnderArmour masks. 

I’ll express my bias, GerryDavis Sports is debuting new pads within the next year. They’ll be incredible, and will help – alongside WindPacts and LUC-Mags – change the (mis)perception on what role mask pads play in a protection system. 

Appreciate the in-depth review and recommendations. Is there any info on the upcoming GD pads?

 

7 hours ago, Ump242 said:

100% All-Star Magnesium 4000 pads

Those look pretty large as well, and they are marketed as largest bottoms pads. I'm looking for something smaller and less profile that doesn't take view away.

[wolfe_man]

3 minutes ago, VABlue said:

Appreciate the in-depth review and recommendations. Is there any info on the upcoming GD pads?

 

Those look pretty large as well, and they are marketed as largest bottoms pads. I'm looking for something smaller and less profile that doesn't take view away.

AS does make a regular LUC pad as well that offers more of a standard-sized chin pad.  They're good, but not as protective as the bigger FM4000 mag pads of course.

I also endorse the Team Wendy's if you can find a pair.

[Biscuit]

20 hours ago, MadMax said:

I love Diamond’s marketing scheme – produce an excellent mask, throw pads on it so thin and pathetic that you’d actually choose a mallet to the groin over a mask shot, and then when faced (bad pun) with the reality that your mask is being shamed for being so dangerous, you simply… double the thickness of that pathetic foam… and then call it (ahem) … Big League. 
OoooOOOoooo. 

@VABlue, you chose a really good mask frame. It was designed by longtime MLBU Gerry Davis, and produced by Diamond in aircraft-quality aluminum, which allowed it to be (relative to its contemporaries) one of the lightest masks on the market at that time (of introduction in 2007-8), with a greatly reduced chance of bending. It’s got an extended crown guard, and that square-chisel Extended Chin Guard (XCG) allows just about any DTG to hang on or behind it; or go without one! No worries!

The only Achilles heels it suffered were aluminum’s tendency to shear before bending, leading to popped welds, and the aforementioned pathetic stock pads. 
This mask was so successful, it got the big yelloW slug to finally budge, and make aluminum masks, too! 

So, just about any pads from the major manufacturers will improve the situation. Wilson’s 🐌 wrap-around pads fit (and, the dual-color “Fonzi” pads look treí sheik), as do Honig’s pads, and All-Star LUC pads. +POS AirChambers fit in there rather well. Wilson 🐌 MemFoams and indeed, Team Wendy’s, will fit, but they’ll feel a little thin if you’re not used to it. All-Star LUC-Mags will likely irritate you, because they’re just as voluminous as the Diamond BigLeaguers you’ve got. 

The best functioning mask pads on the market are the WindPacts, equipped on select EvoShield and UnderArmour masks. 

I’ll express my bias, GerryDavis Sports is debuting new pads within the next year. They’ll be incredible, and will help – alongside WindPacts and LUC-Mags – change the (mis)perception on what role mask pads play in a protection system. 

Do you know of a way to get TWs any more? I have had my current set for a couple years, and I'm afraid it is probably time to replace them... But you know the next part. 

[834k3r]

1 hour ago, Biscuit said:

Do you know of a way to get TWs any more? I have had my current set for a couple years, and I'm afraid it is probably time to replace them... But you know the next part. 

[834k3r]

21 hours ago, MadMax said:

I love Diamond’s marketing scheme – produce an excellent mask, throw pads on it so thin and pathetic that you’d actually choose a mallet to the groin over a mask shot, and then when faced (bad pun) with the reality that your mask is being shamed for being so dangerous, you simply… double the thickness of that pathetic foam… and then call it (ahem) … Big League. 

[wolfe_man]

1 hour ago, Biscuit said:

Do you know of a way to get TWs any more? I have had my current set for a couple years, and I'm afraid it is probably time to replace them... But you know the next part. 

What color? I’ve got a friend who had access to a couple sets. I bought the last black pair he had, but I think he had tan still.

[Biscuit]

2 hours ago, wolfe_man said:

What color? I’ve got a friend who had access to a couple sets. I bought the last black pair he had, but I think he had tan still.

Tan is actually what I prefer with my rig

[grayhawk]

15 hours ago, Biscuit said:

Tan is actually what I prefer with my rig

Wilson only makes their memory foam pads in black, but IMHO, they are superior to TW. They don't become solid blocks in the cold like TW (ask @Richvee what he does when he's driving to a game when it's cold out), and their energy absorption is flat out excellent. I had two +POS steel frames bent by shots that I didn't feel thanks to the MF pads, and I've taken countless shots with them on my Nike Ti masks with zero ill effects. Nothing is guaranteed to keep you from getting injured, but my Wilson MF pads are batting a thousand so far. 

[wolfe_man]

15 hours ago, Biscuit said:

Tan is actually what I prefer with my rig

I’ll check with my contact and let you know if he still has those. I think they were 65 for the set and then shipping to you.
 

Update, he does have them if you’re interested.

[Richvee]

3 hours ago, grayhawk said:

(ask @Richvee what he does when he's driving to a game when it's cold out)

@Biscuit Put your mask with TW pads on the floor of you car under the heater vent  on your drive to the game. They'll be soft and ready to go  first pitch even on 30 degree days.  

[Biscuit]

6 hours ago, wolfe_man said:

I’ll check with my contact and let you know if he still has those. I think they were 65 for the set and then shipping to you.
 

Update, he does have them if you’re interested.

65? Oof, I guess that's what I get for not buying them while they still existed. Let me get back to you on that.

[Biscuit]

7 hours ago, grayhawk said:

Wilson only makes their memory foam pads in black, but IMHO, they are superior to TW. They don't become solid blocks in the cold like TW (ask @Richvee what he does when he's driving to a game when it's cold out), and their energy absorption is flat out excellent. I had two +POS steel frames bent by shots that I didn't feel thanks to the MF pads, and I've taken countless shots with them on my Nike Ti masks with zero ill effects. Nothing is guaranteed to keep you from getting injured, but my Wilson MF pads are batting a thousand so far. 

How do they compare in size? I can't stand pads that are big and get in the way of my vision. I know the TWs don't do that.

[Replacematt]

23 hours ago, Biscuit said:

Tan is actually what I prefer with my rig

https://belgardbaseballusa.com/products/copy-of-mk17wsp-umpire-mask-pad-cream-belgard-japan?variant=39841855701091

You're welcome.

I have used every pad mentioned here. I will not switch from these unless something better is invented.

[wolfe_man]

1 hour ago, Biscuit said:

How do they compare in size? I can't stand pads that are big and get in the way of my vision. I know the TWs don't do that.

W memory foams are same size as TW's, but are softer, compress easier, than TW.  I know some like them, but I don't trust them personally. To each their own.  If you go this route, Amazon has them for about $32 shipped, but they are only made in black.

1 hour ago, Biscuit said:

65? Oof, I guess that's what I get for not buying them while they still existed. Let me get back to you on that.

Yeah, but these are likely the last ones you'll find brand new.  I understand the price pinch though, but AS MAG pads are up there now too and they're still in production. It's totally your call, the guy I get them from supplies to MLB so these won't last long if you pass. No pressure and I get nothing out of this beyond the joy of seeing a fellow umpire find something he needs/wants.  Like I said, I bought his last black pair for $60+tax ($65), so I understand the sticker shock... but can you put a price on your head's protection?

[wolfe_man]

6 minutes ago, Replacematt said:

https://belgardbaseballusa.com/products/copy-of-mk17wsp-umpire-mask-pad-cream-belgard-japan?variant=39841855701091

You're welcome.

I have used every pad mentioned here. I will not switch from these unless something better is invented.

I will also agree there is something special about the Belgard's.  Unique thing is all of their stuff is hand-made which is why it costs so much.  They also offer a unique amount of customization for additional money.

I've only had a few pairs of them and they fit exceptionally and feel so good against your face. I haven't taken a mask shot in them, but those that have swear by them.

[Replacematt]

3 minutes ago, wolfe_man said:

I will also agree there is something special about the Belgard's.  Unique thing is all of their stuff is hand-made which is why it costs so much.  They also offer a unique amount of customization for additional money.

I've only had a few pairs of them and they fit exceptionally and feel so good against your face. I haven't taken a mask shot in them, but those that have swear by them.

I have had an Adidas frame destroyed by a crossed-up fastball, resulting in no injury to me and a quick walk to get my backup (and a random awestruck six-year-old getting a souvenir along the way.) 

Stayed with Belgard pads, immediately went back to titanium frames.

[grayhawk]

15 hours ago, Biscuit said:

How do they compare in size? I can't stand pads that are big and get in the way of my vision. I know the TWs don't do that.

They are just regular sized pads, not bulky and don't wrap around. If I ever feel any ill effects from taking a shot with these pads, I might consider something else. Until then, not so much.

[grayhawk]

14 hours ago, wolfe_man said:

W memory foams are same size as TW's, but are softer, compress easier, than TW.  I know some like them, but I don't trust them personally. To each their own.  If you go this route, Amazon has them for about $32 shipped, but they are only made in black.

What is the reason you don't trust them?

[wolfe_man]

11 minutes ago, grayhawk said:

What is the reason you don't trust them?

They feel like they compress too quickly to me when I've tried them.  I haven't taken a shot, just when testing their "squeezability" by hand I can feel the bars of the frame.   It's been a good while, maybe I need to try them again.

[grayhawk]

10 minutes ago, wolfe_man said:

They feel like they compress too quickly to me when I've tried them.  I haven't taken a shot, just when testing their "squeezability" by hand I can feel the bars of the frame.   It's been a good while, maybe I need to try them again.

I can see why you say that, but I've taken more shots that I can count and never felt the frame touch me. It's the way they compress that, I believe, they absorb so much energy.

OTOH, I use the Samurai Gears shovel, and I've has the attachment screws cut my chin when taking a shot off the throat guard. I covered the screws in hot glue to prevent this in the future.

[MadMax]

17 hours ago, Replacematt said:

Stayed with Belgard pads, immediately went back to titanium frames.

Avast! Might a Mirage be on yer horizon, laddie? 

On 2/27/2025 at 1:05 PM, Richvee said:

on the floor of you car under the heater vent  on your drive to the game.

What is this… “heater vent” of which you speak? My car has an air conditioning vent; is this similar? 

Prior to getting WindPacts in 2 of my rigs in my arsenal, I was all-TWs. Then I tried LUC-Mags on my FM4K Steel, and they fit perfectly… that distributor plate and the oversized volume is rather nice, even when I switched to a FM4K Mag. I then swapped a TW-equipped +POS ZRO-G (in Sky Blue) for a Rampage (again in sky blue), with the full intent of putting WindPacts in it. I sold off my DynAlum frame (which I was given, you smarmy dogs) and replaced it with another Rampage. And, again, paired WindPacts with it. That left my Black CanaryCage with tan TWs as my last TW mask… 

Yes, there were mornings in January or February wherein I would purposely pull Maggie Mae or Silver Hammer 🔨 out of the bag instead of Black Bird 🐦‍⬛ because those TWs were as cold as stones. I would just put the mask in the car, exposed to sunlight, and after that first game, they’d be just fine for the rest of the day. 

Sigh. Desert problems. 🌵 

Now with the new Mirage, I’m eagerly awaiting what @DerekGDS rolls out for pads; I’ve got WindPacts on the Gypsy for now. 

I just don’t trust anything Wilson. I’ve “watched how the sausages are made”, so to speak, and with how crudely they make their low-end pads, I have this nagging tic on the back-o’-me-‘ead that they just kinda threw-together these MemFoams. All-Star actually listened and applied feedback from their sponsored catchers – namely, Jonathan Lucroy – to evolve the LUCs into the LUC-Mags. Ya think Wilson is counseling feedback like this? 

 

[Replacematt]

6 hours ago, wolfe_man said:

They feel like they compress too quickly to me when I've tried them.  I haven't taken a shot, just when testing their "squeezability" by hand I can feel the bars of the frame.   It's been a good while, maybe I need to try them again.

I took a shot in a college conference semifinal with them. It was a glancing blow that shouldn't have done anything, but it concussed me and I was out of commission for ten days after the championship (it was halfway through that game that things started to go wrong.)

That was the last time I've used anything made/distributed by Wilson.