Davis DX Kuta

[Jonump]

Hi Derek,

New England ump and enthusiastic buyer of your stuff here, including the enduro. Only used once last season in warm weather. 

 Can you speak a little more thoroughly to the temperature issues? We are going to have a fair amount of cold HS games here in April and I didn't realize these have temperature constraints.

What would the protective loss be in 40s-50s? How much can body heat mitigate the cold would you say? If it can, how long would you suggest?

Thanks!

[DerekGDS]

@Jonump Thermal physiology/thermodynamics is not my expertise, so please take this with a grain of salt. The best determination will be how it feels on you. You'll want to make sure it is flexible and can properly wrap around you. Squeezing/manipulate the padding a bit. If you're not getting any movement or it is very hard then it has a high degree of crystallinity. In this state, the foam is no longer absorbing energy, it is transmitting it. 

If you know you're working in these temps, I would store the CP in your house when not in use. or make sure to get it warmed up well in the car. This will help substantially when it comes to putting it on. You wont need what I would estimate to be 15-30 minutes to get it up to temp with your body heat.

I believe your skin on average sits at roughly 92 degrees and the chest/torso is on average warmer then that. If you're wearing the CP with a jacket it should with time rise to well above the 60 degree ratio. Realistically, the foam towards your chest is going to get above low to mid 80s and the outer foam should realistically be well above the 60 degree threshold.

Adding an insulating layer around the chest protector would make a huge difference in these temperatures. Without that, I would say at 40 degrees you'd really be pushing the limit of safety without some sort of insulating layer that encapsulates the Kuta.

Hope that helps a bit.

[The Man in Blue]

@DerekGDS . . . I want to say that I really appreciate the lengths you are going to in an effort to explain this important fact.

For too many years, umpires have just thought of our gear as something between us and an impact.  Just throw something hard over something soft, and it will be fine.  Think of a car crash in a 1970s Buick versus a car crash in a modern vehicle.  Which vehicle would you rather be in?

Historically, we have not given adequate consideration to the capabilities of our equipment and, more so, how those capabilities diminish over time and under certain circumstances.  Most types of safety equipment, from a child's car seat to professional PPE, have recommendations as to when it should be replaced.  Yet, many older umpires wear gear that has been umpiring longer than I have.  It is kept in the car, exposed to temperature extremes, doused with chemicals that can harm it . . . all without a thought about how the effectiveness deteriorates.

Foam is not always what it was.  It breaks down, it behaves differently, and its properties can change due to time, temperature, moisture, or whatever.

Take care of your gear so it can take care of you.  Replace and upgrade your gear regularly.

[Jonump]

Derek, that helps a great deal thank you. Especially the physical clue of it being flexible and the keeping it warm beforehand. Sounds like flexible= working, stiff=too cold. That's easily testable and reassuring.

I think for the coldest weather I'd have it in the warm car, do a long sleeve compression undershirt then a looser fit over the protector, then the shirt/jacket. Sounds like a lot but I think it would work.

Again, thank you.

[catsbackr]

Last report:

 

I took another direct chest shot this past week.  Zero ill effects, mid 80's again.  I do find the CP a little hot.

 

I may return to my old All American.

[MadMax]

On 3/3/2026 at 9:54 PM, The Man in Blue said:

It is kept in the car, exposed to temperature extremes, doused with chemicals that can harm it . . . all without a thought about how the effectiveness deteriorates.

"Hrmph! Jest use dem Scrubbing Bubbles and Lysol on everything you got! Dat'll work! Dat's all ya need!" 

We are such creatures of habits... and habits that were impressed on us by our "elders". 

[Velho]

On 3/3/2026 at 7:54 PM, The Man in Blue said:

It is kept in the car, exposed to temperature extremes, doused with chemicals that can harm it . . . all without a thought about how the effectiveness deteriorates.

PSA since my son is recovering from a staph infection: let your gear dry out. I hope the guys I see that take their gear off and directly shove it in their bag pull it out to dry at home.

I Lysol anything padded and set it out uncovered in my garage overnight, at a minimum. On top of that, if I'm driving my truck, I leave it in the bed as I drive home.

[MadMax]

7 hours ago, Velho said:

PSA since my son is recovering from a staph infection: let your gear dry out.

 

7 hours ago, Velho said:

I Lysol anything padded and set it out...

I favor and recommend OdoBan instead. Just as effective at killing bacteria (unlike FeBreeze, which masks it), less caustic on your skin, (much) less caustic on the modern foams and materials. 

[wolfe_man]

7 hours ago, MadMax said:

 

I favor and recommend OdoBan instead. Just as effective at killing bacteria (unlike FeBreeze, which masks it), less caustic on your skin, (much) less caustic on the modern foams and materials. 

You got me switched about 6-7 years back and it's my go-to now as well.  I get the big gallon one from Sam's and it lasts a very long time!  I like the citrus smell too.

[The Man in Blue]

Diluted wintergreen rubbing alcohol.

Dual purpose: pour some of it in your "ice towel" cooler.

[Rock Bottom]

23 hours ago, MadMax said:

 

I favor and recommend OdoBan instead. Just as effective at killing bacteria (unlike FeBreeze, which masks it), less caustic on your skin, (much) less caustic on the modern foams and materials. 

Somehow I've missed this all these years and have been using Lysol - just ordered some OdoBan now!

[johnnyg08]

OdoBan---I'm going to give it a try this Spring.