Suggestions For 8u- 12u Chest Protector

[Dish It Out]

Hello, first post!

Looking to replace my 25+ year old Diamond el cheap chest protector (see pics). Looking for something practical that will last another 25+

I know champro and diamond have low end chest protectors, but nowadays, "low end" sometimes means "junk"

Any suggestions? I see Epic Sports has a few for $40- $60 (see pics). Or does someone has have a brand/website to suggest?

Fwiw, I'm not looking for 1/4" of Kevlar that will stop a anti-tank missile at 50ft, but something that will stop a 60 mph fastball that won't leave me bruised (like my current one)

1st: Fit/comfort/side protection   2nd: $$$ 

Thanks!

Pics: The Diamond looks cheaply made, The Champion is basically my current one (pass), the Champro look good, but hard to tell size or quality 

[Velho]

The $60 Champ-Pro you show was my first CP. It's good and meets your requirements (especially compared to what you've been living with).

A used higher end CP is also a consideration.

(Paging @MadMax as well)

[Velho]

This is $100 and would serve you very well if you can spend that much.

https://gerrydavis.com/products/davis-dx-mk2-umpire-chest-protector

[stevis]

I've bought the Champ-pro Plus you list as shared gear for our juniors doing our age 12-13 50/70 ball; have had no complaints from the crew.

[SeeingEyeDog]

@Dish It Out, before you make a purchase decision, I would counsel you to consider your umpiring aspirations...if your aspiration is to move up, then you may want to consider a more substantial chest protector. That way you're equipping for the games you're trying to work towards and you'll have the right equipment.

Of course, if however your aspiration is to continue at this level then you are making an appropriate financial and protective decision.

~Dawg

[Velho]

[Umpy]

1 hour ago, SeeingEyeDog said:

@Dish It Out, before you make a purchase decision, I would counsel you to consider your umpiring aspirations...if your aspiration is to move up, then you may want to consider a more substantial chest protector. That way you're equipping for the games you're trying to work towards and you'll have the right equipment.

Of course, if however your aspiration is to continue at this level then you are making an appropriate financial and protective decision.

~Dawg

I second this sentiment even if you're not PLANNING to move up.  I only do Little League these days but I wear gear ready for older divisions because I know with the shortage of umpires the day will come that someone tries to talk me into doing 18U again on short notice.

[Dish It Out]

3 hours ago, Velho said:

 

 

 

This is $100 and would serve you very well if you can spend that much.

https://gerrydavis.com/products/davis-dx-mk2-umpire-chest-protector

 

Thanks for the responses! No aspirations of moving up, I do have a West Vest for 13u- High School, so my next one would just replace the current  for 12u & younger. I think I'll go with the Champ Pro Plus as suggested.

Besides Epic Sports, are there any other websites with umpire gear for reasonable prices? I like Epic, but their selection is limited.

[MadMax]

3 hours ago, Dish It Out said:

I think I'll go with… 

One moment good sir… ☝🏼 

May I suggest, for your consideration, a pair of models from Gerry Davis Sports, designed by… three members of this very forum? 

I completely understand your desire for something on the simpler side… a basic cheeseburger at a picnic, instead of a gourmet, exotic burger at a snazzy brewpub. This is the territory of the Davis CoreShield. 

It has embedded 3mm blast plates, backed by Davis CrossLink foam. The shoulder pauldrons are shape-molded, and re-positionable. Unlike other “basic” CPs, this has a comprehensive 4-point harness included, which is attached in the exact same way top-of-the-line CPs are – looped through D-rings at the shoulders, and then, just like the DX family of CPs, secured with “breakproof-&-idiotproof” G-hooks at the flanks. Makes for a trim, conforming fit. 

Then, if you want an introduction to the Davis DX family of CPs, the DX Mk 2. is the way to go… the growing family of DX CPs all use the same shapes and dimensions of external HDPE carapace plates, same accessories, same harness, with the only differences the foam matrices used for protection. I can say, hand on heart, each of the DXs on the market (the Mk 2 and the Enduro), and the additional ones as possibilities, completely trounce the Wilson WestVest Gold on weight, bulk, fit, and build quality. 

@Velho pointed it out above. 👆🏼 

[wolfe_man]

I highly endorse the recommendations of @Velho and @MadMax.  For your money, that $99 deal is going to be hard to beat.  I wore the first version of this for a season of HS baseball and it stood up to everything I saw at those speeds with no ill effects.  To be honest, this newer version is even better as there have been improvements made since the model I wore.  

[DerekGDS]

Had to do a double take there. Memorial Day sales apparently! 

[The Man in Blue]

You guys beat me to that one!  

@Dish It Out, I have not worn that particular model, but I believe the DNA of my first chest protector is in there (literally).  For my first few years of softball and low level baseball, I wore the DaviShield.  Great fit, very comfortable, provided plenty of protection, and stayed in place.  My only knock was that it didn't breathe very well.  I believe they have vastly improved upon that!

My wife always called it my Batman gear.

[Dish It Out]

1 hour ago, MadMax said:

One moment good sir… ☝🏼 

May I suggest, for your consideration, a pair of models from Gerry Davis Sports, designed by… three members of this very forum? 

I completely understand your desire for something on the simpler side… a basic cheeseburger at a picnic, instead of a gourmet, exotic burger at a snazzy brewpub. This is the territory of the Davis CoreShield. 

It has embedded 3mm blast plates, backed by Davis CrossLink foam. The shoulder pauldrons are shape-molded, and re-positionable. Unlike other “basic” CPs, this has a comprehensive 4-point harness included, which is attached in the exact same way top-of-the-line CPs are – looped through D-rings at the shoulders, and then, just like the DX family of CPs, secured with “breakproof-&-idiotproof” G-hooks at the flanks. Makes for a trim, conforming fit. 

Then, if you want an introduction to the Davis DX family of CPs, the DX Mk 2. is the way to go… the growing family of DX CPs all use the same shapes and dimensions of external HDPE carapace plates, same accessories, same harness, with the only differences the foam matrices used for protection. I can say, hand on heart, each of the DXs on the market (the Mk 2 and the Enduro), and the additional ones as possibilities, completely trounce the Wilson WestVest Gold on weight, bulk, fit, and build quality. 

@Velho pointed it out above. 👆🏼 

I'm game, a question though, I see they come in 12" & 14", I'm a tall person, 6' 2", should I be concerned about exposed abdomen? 

[boyinr]

4 minutes ago, Dish It Out said:

I'm game, a question though, I see they come in 12" & 14", I'm a tall person, 6' 2", should I be concerned about exposed abdomen? 

Belly shots only sting for a bit but 14” will be fine. I personally am a “hard  shell only” guy no matter the level. No one that ever got hit said “ I wish I had less protection”. 

[The Man in Blue]

39 minutes ago, boyinr said:

Belly shots only sting for a bit but 14” will be fine. I personally am a “hard  shell only” guy no matter the level. No one that ever got hit said “ I wish I had less protection”. 

[MadMax]

1 hour ago, Dish It Out said:

I see they come in 12" & 14", I'm a tall person, 6' 2", should I be concerned about exposed abdomen? 

I’m 6’2” as well, 215 lb., and I use a 12”. Due to my plate stance, I rarely take direct tummy shots. However, I have pro colleagues who favor and requested the 14”, just for that additional tummy-protectin’ length. 

As @boyinr points out, the DX family is all about protection without oversizing bulk and width. The DX units all have hook-&-loop landing strips for extensions; the DX Mk 2 comes with that 3” extension included in the box! 
So a 12” becomes a 15” tall, and a 14” becomes a 17” tall. 

26 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

Stop bleeding on me! 

[Dish It Out]

7 hours ago, MadMax said:

I’m 6’2” as well, 215 lb., and I use a 12”. Due to my plate stance, I rarely take direct tummy shots. However, I have pro colleagues who favor and requested the 14”, just for that additional tummy-protectin’ length. 

As @boyinr points out, the DX family is all about protection without oversizing bulk and width. The DX units all have hook-&-loop landing strips for extensions; the DX Mk 2 comes with that 3” extension included in the box! 
So a 12” becomes a 15” tall, and a 14” becomes a 17” tall. 

Stop bleeding on me! 

Whoa!  3" Extension?  Why didn't you lead with that?!? That's a game changer! Suddenly I feel like a real man, complete! She is going to be soooo happy!  Oh, wait, you were talking about the chest protector, weren't you?

So disappointing 😔

[concertman1971]

@Dish It Out get the GD model on sale for $99. Customer service is top shelf, and the product design is amazing. I am 6'4 205 and wear the 14" D30 version. It hits me right at the bottom of ribs. If stomach protection is an issue, get the 3" extension!

[orangebird]

40.15 (plus shipping) here for one of the Champro ones. I've used it for u10/u12 baseball and u13 softball without feeling even the slightest pain 

https://www.leagueoutfitters.com/products/champro-varsity-umpire-chest-protector?_pos=7&_psq=champro+chest+protector&_ss=e&_v=1.0

[The Man in Blue]

On 5/24/2025 at 6:50 AM, Dish It Out said:

Whoa!  3" Extension?  Why didn't you lead with that?!? That's a game changer! Suddenly I feel like a real man, complete! She is going to be soooo happy!  Oh, wait, you were talking about the chest protector, weren't you?

So disappointing 😔

[Dish It Out]

Ordered the Gerry Davis, tacked on a couple of shirts and got free shipping, thanks for the input!!!