Low-cut Plate Shoes Options?

[Rock Bottom]

I loved the low cut New Balance plate shoes but hate the mid-cut. It seems like everything is mid-cut now, except the 3N2 which get poor reviews. Does anyone have any suggestions for low-cut plate shoes that I hopefully am missing?

[umpintosh]

3N2s are pretty good (although I wouldn't trust them for 16u+)

[Rock Bottom]

1 hour ago, umpintosh said:

3N2s are pretty good (although I wouldn't trust them for 16u+)

Yeah, I need shoes that can handle up to solid 18U pitching.

[834k3r]

I used to really like my NB mid-cut plate shoes. But now I have completely changed my tune. I love my Mizunos--but particularly my Japanese model (bought off ebay for about the same price as the US version from retailers). The Japanese model has no white logo (it's stamped into the leather") and the toe box is wider.

[umpintosh]

2 hours ago, Rock Bottom said:

Yeah, I need shoes that can handle up to solid 18U pitching.

Sadly, 3N2s are pretty much the only choice. Everything nowadays is mid-cut. What about mid-cuts do you dislike?

[Jonump]

Yes and lest you get tempted to try the 3N2s I loved them for a while, especially for turf--SO light after the NB mids--and then took a foul ball off the toe in 12U and it hurt A LOT. What the heck?

Trying the mizunos this upcoming season and they seem significantly lighter and the ankle protection less 'intrusive' if thats the right word?.

The NBs are bulky but reassuringly so. 

[Rock Bottom]

On 12/8/2025 at 2:05 PM, umpintosh said:

Sadly, 3N2s are pretty much the only choice. Everything nowadays is mid-cut. What about mid-cuts do you dislike?

They felt like boots also also didn't fit well with my shin guards which sit higher with the mids.

[Scissors]

I have a pair of Reebok magistrates which I snagged off here. If you can find them, get them. Also got matching base shoes, they look good. Don’t know why all the new stuff is high cut, I hate it too. 

[The Man in Blue]

On 12/8/2025 at 2:05 PM, umpintosh said:

umpintosh
"How did you call 5 balks in 2 games?"

 

Just jumping in for fun to say: "How did you NOT?  Were you watching this kid?"

[Rock Bottom]

Update - the only real problem with my current shoes is the padding along the heel/sides, so I took it to an old-fashioned cobbler to see what he could do and he said he can't fix the padding but could cover it with leather, so I'm waiting to get them back. Only $20!  If this works it will be well worth the investment - I'll update with comments and pics later if warranted.

[NavyBlue]

I did the same thing with a cobbler to three pairs of plate shoes.  Held up all season and ready for upcoming season.

[BLWizzRanger]

Do either of you have pictures of the cobbler's work?  The Mizunos I just purchased (and probably going to keep), are high enough that my F3 shin guards could be a rubbing.  I was thinking black duct tape being applied to the shoe, but, maybe having a leather piece sewn in is the better, more lasting way....

[Rock Bottom]

5 hours ago, BLWizzRanger said:

Do either of you have pictures of the cobbler's work?  The Mizunos I just purchased (and probably going to keep), are high enough that my F3 shin guards could be a rubbing.  I was thinking black duct tape being applied to the shoe, but, maybe having a leather piece sewn in is the better, more lasting way....

I'll post them when I get them back. I tried the black duct tape thing on a different pair and it got me through about half a season, but now they are a mess - I'm hoping maybe to revive that pair too depending on how this better pair works out. I'll keep you posted.

[NavyBlue]

I did the black duct tape thing and it just got messy after time, so I went the cobbler route.  Very happy with the result.  He just does the heel, not the sides.  My other pair has more damage on the sides from shin guard rubbing.  Those are my "mudder shoes" now.

[MadMax]

On 12/9/2025 at 3:27 AM, Jonump said:

Yes and lest you get tempted to try the 3N2s I loved them for a while, especially for turf--SO light after the NB mids--and then took a foul ball off the toe in 12U and it hurt A LOT. What the heck?

Ask @JimKirk about my 3N2 fiasco… keep in mind, I see Professional – uppercase “P” – velocities, and I had 2 pair of 3N2 toe caps shatter on me. One in particular physically felt like if you put a lightbulb 💡 in a leather glove, then hit it with a hammer, and then re-feel the leather glove. Yikes. I need something with a lot more reliability. 

On 12/14/2025 at 7:05 PM, Rock Bottom said:

Update - the only real problem with my current shoes is the padding along the heel/sides, so I took it to an old-fashioned cobbler to see what he could do and he said he can't fix the padding but could cover it with leather, so I'm waiting to get them back.

I had the same thing happen with NB lows. I then began duct-taping the rim preemptively, and it worked rather well… at least as long as the shoes lasted before they finally “slicked” the bottom, and I had a chance to buy-&-try the Mizuno Japan 🇯🇵 11GU1800(?). I then sold the NBs to a new umpire, and he understood why I had duct tape on them, and with his just starting out, he was fine with the little traction left. 

But, @NavyBlue has the right idea. 

[834k3r]

9 hours ago, MadMax said:

Mizuno Japan 🇯🇵 11GU1800(?)

Based on the knowledge gained when I bought my 2300s, 1800s may be few and far between. I couldn't find any online (granted, I was looking for new ones).

[Rock Bottom]

Just got the shoes back from my cobbler - he did an INCREDIBLE job (see pic). VERY comfortable too - I'm mad at myself that I didn't think to do this with my previous pair of shoes, the black duct tape pretty much has ruined them I fear - pulling the tape out destroyed the padding and the leather is a mess, but at least I think I saved at least another season with this other pair. Again, this cost me only $20 too!