Davis Enduro vs +Pos Cobra

[Nik]

Looking for a new chest protector after a lifetime with Wilson WV.  Narrowed it down to the Davis Enduro and +Pos Cobra because of the low profile.  Anyone use or have heard any pros/cons for them?  I do college so need good protection and also would like good airflow for summer.  Any other recommendations or comments appreciated

[tpatience]

Having tested both CPs, the Davis is way better than the POS. My crew tested out the POS when we were in Akron and it didn’t fit one of us very well. And they gave us the 12 and 14 inch to try out. Davis is the way to go 

[Nik]

Thanks! Exactly what I needed to hear.

[MadMax]

I have close ties to both CPs, and yes… I have… bias to one in particular. 

Where they’re the same: 

• They both use High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) for their carapace plates. They represent 2 of the only 3 CPs on the market to use this material (the 3rd being the All-Star Cobalt), which is integral to how shape-conforming they can be. HDPE is thinner, but just as strong as ABS, and is much less resistant to “shape creep”… meaning it won’t lose its shape and flatten out. 
• They both have advanced foam laminate systems for their padding protection. While they behave differently, the crucial characteristic they share is they do not retain heat and moisture… which open-cell foams (such as on Wilson, Douglas, and Diamond CPs) do, weighing you down and fatiguing you. 

Now, where they critically differ: 

• The DX Enduro’s pad components are all removable, attaching to the plates with hook-&-loop tabs (ie. Velcro). In what must be a cost-shaving method, the Cobra rivets the pad parts to the plates. This is a challenge for thorough cleaning, sizing, and the lack of connecting splines (holding the plates together) occasionally hinders achieving and maintaining a good fit. 
• The DX units all use anodized aluminum G-hooks for the all-so-important fastener. Don’t break, don’t corrode, don’t damage your shirts on impacts. The Cobra uses plastic side-release buckles (SRBs), which, of course, are prone to breaking… and are a PITA to replace. 
• The harness on the DX units is a really secure operator, and got the endorsement of the UmpLife harness’ creator. The Cobra is actually using an imitating knock-off of the UmpLife. 
• Lastly, the big one – the DX Enduro uses the latest and best rendition of D3O’s award-winning foam. It’s mesomorphic, meaning that it changes its structural composition when impacted by an energy, and absorbs and dissipates it. This allows the Enduro to be a mere 5/8ths of an inch thick! By contrast, the Cobra is using a “structural pyramid”, which means that it redirects impacting energy on angles away from the main vector. While it’s far better than the bulky open-cell foam of other CPs, it still works off compression alone. 

[Nik]

Great information, thanks MadMax 🫡