Remember a few years back when the umps went on strike and they had to use the "replacement umps" There was one guy, he was doing a Yankee game and he was using the balloon. About dropped over when I saw it.

I've owned the +POS armour, I've used the WV, and I own the K-1. K-1 is the best protector on the market today. It is light, breathes very well, and does not compromise my safety one iota. It is AWESOME.

BK:

Thanks that helped a lot. Since posting this I have continued to be back and forth between which I wanted, whether it be the K1 or the WV Plat. Your post really helped. Everyone else's helped too though.

Again thanks to all for helping me out

how about this for you?
 

what about the Douglas Vest Chest Protector??? (douglaspads.com) heard that they're pretty good too. have even heard that it could be better than the West Vest brand.

The douglas Vest looks sharp. Though it looks to be bulky. this is on the net. But it looks very sharp something worth looking into. Thank you

Douglas made the West Vest prior to Wilson. I have one of the originals (along with a newer West Vest model). It is bulkier than the new west Vests.


The newer Douglas Vests are also bulkier. What Douglas does VERY well, is shin guards.

I merely glimpsed across the shin gaurds as i went to the chest protectors

i honestly think i have a very good, excellent, set of shin guards. i bought mine thru pluspos tho.

thank you

I currently use the West Vest, and I absolutely love it. It is very comfortable, and it does the job very well.

One of the shots I ever took while wearing the West Vest was one right down the pipe in the chest, and I never felt a thing.

The West Vest is the only chest protector I will ever use.

johnsandlin

what size are you? I am 5'7 around 155 lbs.

The WV looks to be superior as far as protection goes but is it bulky? (your opinion) I have read others say no and yes to that question.

thanks for you help

brandon

I'm 5' 10" and weight 150.

I started with the K-1. After taking a shot during a LL Big League game that left me with a bruise in the shoulder area (the older K-1 has less protection in that region), I decided I wanted a hard shell protector. I tired the Platinum, but gave up on it after one year. It was too bulky for me and just didn't fit well. I tried a couple of other protectors but had the same problem.

I was going to try the Douglas this season until I ran across the new ITECH UMP3000 from Lester's Upstate Sports. It seems to fit well and is quite comfortable. It has the Cool Max lining for those hot days (if we ever get them again). I eager for our snow and ice to get out of here so I can give it a try. You might want to give it a look.

where can i find the itech protector?

Here's a link to Lester's Upstate Sports.

Click here:
<A HREF="http://www.lestersupstatesports.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LUS&Product_Cod e=BA818&Category_Code=CH" target="_blank">Lester's Upstate Sports - ITECH UMP3000</a>

[Edited by Delaware Blue on Jan 30th, 2004 at 05:51 AM]

Hmmm... maybe you could try itech.com

i have a regular Douglas protector that i bought 4 years ago, and i will say it is 10X the protector my wilson west vest was. reason is, i'm about 5'8" and 170 and the wilson WV was too bulky. i looked like robocop, as someone put it. i was working a tournament and a guy my size had a the douglas and he said he loved it. he let me wear it a game and it was smaller fitting, lighter, and was much better in forming to my frame. for me, the douglas is THE way to go. i have taken some legit shots with it with college kids runnin' it up there better than 90 and i noticed no difference in protection in comparison to the WV.

I just purchased the Platinum WV and tried it on. It was not only bulkier than I expected, it was hell getting my umpire shirt to go over the shoulder pads(I ripped a seam on my shirt). Its almost a 2 man job. Does anyone else who uses the WV have that problem? I'm 6'tall and about 225lbs.
Not sure if my size is the problem.
Even getting the shirt off was not an easy task.
I'm tempted to return the WV and stick to my Honig's.