Davis DX Kuta

[blue32]

Just arrived via UPS today: the limited edition “Kuta.” 
Same plates as the Enduro, with a different pad and color way. Same great quality coming from Derek and his team. Looking forward to strapping it on in 4 weeks!

[mikeburnett298]

What is different between this pad and the normal DX?

[blue32]

14 hours ago, mikeburnett298 said:

What is different between this pad and the normal DX?

This one does not have the D30 pad that the Enduro comes with, which is outstanding. I don't know if this has the same pad as the DX Mk2, just in a different color fabric outer shell. We'll have to see what @DerekGDS says about it.

One note about the Enduro with the D30 pad: I have owned just about ever protector on the market, and this pad is the best one I have used, and is on par (or dare I say better?) with the Power, which I also own.

Hoping to see some shin guards with D30 in the future? 😁

[DerekGDS]

The DX Kuta is a prototype we were field testing in 2025. The DX was simply a carrier for Covalta which is our chemically cross-linked closed cell foam to get some additional real world testing. The foam itself is engineered to be extremely good when dealing with high speed, localized impacts. It is already used in some pad cores and in the DX Mk2 as well in a limited role.

The feedback was very strong but Covalta is being considered for different product lines so this is a limited edition product, we only produced 60 pieces. The Kuta itself weighs about 18% less then the DX Enduro with the same thickness.

If anyone is interested in picking one up early, please contact me. What is remaining is likely to go on sale in mid-February.

@blue32 stand by on the shins. We're working through a number of prototypes at the moment.
 

[Marcus6]

2 hours ago, DerekGDS said:

If anyone is interested in picking one up early, please contact me. What is remaining is likely to go on sale in mid-February.


 

Price?

[DerekGDS]

7 minutes ago, FranklinT said:

Price?

$229.99

[The Man in Blue]

Damnit, @DerekGDS . . . I'm contemplating getting out (or taking some time off), and you just keep throwing out reasons for me to stay . . . 😋 

[Marcus6]

20 hours ago, blue32 said:

One note about the Enduro with the D30 pad: I have owned just about ever protector on the market, and this pad is the best one I have used, and is on par (or dare I say better?) with the Power, which I also own.

Sheesh high praise indeed!

[834k3r]

20 hours ago, DerekGDS said:

We're working through a number of prototypes at the moment.

[The Man in Blue]

Boo, @834k3r.  He's not nearly as cute as the gif you usually use.  😋

[Marcus6]

On 1/20/2026 at 9:40 AM, FranklinT said:

Sheesh high praise indeed!

So what are your impressions of this compared to the Davis DX protector with the D30 pads? Understand you haven’t worn it for a game yet but just curious.

[Velho]

On 1/19/2026 at 7:02 PM, The Man in Blue said:

Damnit, @DerekGDS . . . I'm contemplating getting out (or taking some time off), and you just keep throwing out reasons for me to stay . . . 😋 

 

[MadMax]

On 1/21/2026 at 8:47 PM, Marcus6 said:

So what are your impressions of this compared to the Davis DX protector with the D30 pads?

If I may interject... (cue Peter Falk) 
There is something crucial to point out regarding the entire DX -family of chest protectors (and, this is likely something that will project further into forthcoming shinguards as well). All of the "plastic plates" that comprise the carapace of the Davis DX protectors are HDPE. High Density Polyethylene. What's the alternative? ABS. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. Other than the +POS Cobra and the All-Star Cobalt, everybody else uses ABS. Here's why, straight from the... "not a real" AI horse's mouth → 

 

Quote

 

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

 is generally heavier than High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). ABS has a typical density of approximately 

1.03--1.06g/cm3

1.03--1.06g/cm3

, whereas HDPE is lighter, with a density ranging from 

0.945--0.97g/cm3

0.945--0.97g/cm3

. 

Key Differences in Weight and Density: 

• ABS (Heavier): Known for being a rigid, tough engineering plastic with a density over 
   

  1.0g/cm3

  1.0g/cm3
  .
• HDPE (Lighter): A versatile, durable plastic that is lighter and more flexible than ABS.
• Density Comparison: ABS (
  ≈1.03g/cc

  ≈1.03g/cc
  ) vs. Starboard HDPE (
  ≈0.955g/cc

  ≈0.955g/cc
  ). 

While ABS is stronger and more rigid, HDPE's lower density makes it a better choice when a lightweight material is required. 

 

 

ABS is used so much because it's cheap. Not only is it heavier, but it doesn't hold to a cast shape as well as HDPE. ABS is desirable for its impact resistance, surely, but what the professional sports are starting to recognize, is that the added weight (mass) brings with it more strain on the body. 
It's a double-whammy with... particular manufacturers who produce entire runs in ABS (as cheaply as possible), and then ship them over crammed into a crate/box to maximize quantity per container, then distribute them to wholesalers or retailers where they sit on a shelf, flat, then are sold to us, flat, whereupon we stick them in our trunk, or gear bag, and pile everything on top of them... again, flat. No wonder it has all the contouring of a brick wall when we put it on!

By contrast, by using HDPE, not only are Davis (and All-Star) CPs lighter, but they also can achieve lower-profile shapes, and hold that shape better and much, much longer. 

The entire DX family is based off one (set of) shape(s). Instead of cultivating 3-4 entirely different CP designs at one time (as many other manufacturers do), that do not share parts or fastening methods, once you wear one DX, they all feel virtually the same. The difference comes in the pad vest (and rightly so). And while D3O is so vigorously promoted (by me especially), it's for the specific, proven reason that it is hydrophobic – it sheds water (near-)instantly. Why would you want to lug around all that extra sweat moisture when you don't need to?? The Crosslink foam that @DerekGDS sourced has equivalent characteristics, just lacks the proven pedigree. 

... and it isn't orange. 😎