[IowaMike]

I sold my WV Platinum earlier and ordered a new model Honigs K-1 Pro Elite. No lectures please; I wore the old model K-1 for many years and liked it just fine. I've worn the Platinum for the last 3 years but still rotated in my old K-1 particularly on back to back nights in hot weather. Anyway, the new K-1 came today and it was a total disappointment. Major problem in the neck area, it is so tight my neck was rubbed raw just having it on in the house for 2 minutes. I'm 6'2 275 lbs and an avid weight lifter so I do have a big neck and shoulders, but the old K-1 fits my neck just fine as did the Platinum. Also, the shoulder plates are huge on the new K-1. I put a shirt on over it just for fun, and it looks ridiculous it's so bulky. I'll be sending it back tomorrow.

So the problem now is finding a protector. My old K-1 is still OK but it's nearing the end of its life span and I like to have two protectors to rotate when it's really hot and sweaty weather. My main problem with the Platinum was it was a bit too short for my liking and I was always hiking it up (yes I tightened the straps to the max and taped them). I know other guys have complained about the same problem with the neck in the new All Star protector so that's out. It looks like I'll have to go with the WV Gold as the XL is an inch longer than the Platinum. For anybody that has one, is the neck area an issue with the Gold too? I wouldn't think so since there are some pretty hefty dudes working MLB games that wear it. Thanks for any feedback.