Plate Shoe Update Wanted
 

Now that the season is half over, I am wondering what the reports are regarding the New Balance 450 Plate Shoe. I have the Honigs Low Cut with about 300 games on them and have been thinking about buying a new pair (the Patent Leather ones look interesting), but the New Balance shoe looks great. I am not unhappy with the Honigs, just wanting some opinions. I do semi-pro, pro, summer college wooden bat leagues and College mainly so want good coverage. Thanks

Nice shoes
 

I looked at these close up at an NCAA rules clinic earlier this spring. My opinion... they are extreamly light! They seem to weigh only slightly more than a base shoe. As for protection, I don't know... they are similar in design to the spot-bilt u55 or the Nautalis shoes. I don't think there is as much protection as the traditional style shoes. I could most certainly be wrong.

The only things that have kept me from purchasing a pair is the buttons/rivits on the toe and the unknown protection factor.

How do umps out there like the spot-bilt and Nautalis shoes as far as protection?

Stay away from the Spot Bilts! I just purchased a new pair this season to replace my old +POS and I'm sorry that I did. Here is a correspondence I had last week with Aaron from Honigs that explains why.

Aaron:

I wanted to drop you a short note about the Spot Bilt U56 plate shoes I purchased from you. Think of this as a "for your information" message. I have been extremely happy with both the look and the comfort of the shoes. However, tonight my overall opinion of the shoe has taken a downturn.

While working the plate in a 14U baseball game I took a fastball to the toe of the shoe. I'm not sure if the toe is broken, but it's sure messed up if it's not. It looks like I hit it with a hammer tonight. Hopefully I won't have to have it x-rayed tomorrow. I guess it's my fault, as I never thought to ask or even look to see if the shoe had a steele toe. I just assumed that it did. Other than that I'm still a pleased customer, and always will be.

Best regards,

Tim Haag
South Bend, IN

Tim,

Yes, we try to be careful to list them as “hard toe”, while our other styles specifically say “steel toe”.

That being said, we’ve had as many instances like this with steel toe models as we have with the Spot-Bilts. We’ve been assured by the company that they meet all the applicable safety standards, although you’re toe may take issue with that.

Thanks for the feedback.

Aaron

I never even thought to check to see if they had a steele toe. Judging by the weight of the shoe I just assumed they did. I know, my bad.



Tim.

I switched from the Honig's Steel Toed High tops, to the Spot-Bilt Steel Toe High Tops (U56-1) two years ago, and I love them.

They are super light, very comfortable, and offer great protection all around.

Who sells the U56-1, Nick? Mine are the U56 and they are not steele toed.

Tim.

I'm still looking for a Spot Bilt shoe with the number one denoted after it's letter designation. I've found only U55, U56, and U57. None of which have a steele toe.


Tim.

Interesting, none of the write ups for the Spot Bilts say anything about having a steel toe. The GD, Honigs, and Riddell's all specifically say they have steel toes.

None of the Spot Bilt plate shoes are steel toe, rather "thermoplastic." I dont see how the New Balance plate shoes offer less protection than a low top shoe.

Just from physical inspection, the plate on top doesn't appear to wrap around the foot as far as the traditional designs.

My 2 cents:

The NB are just plain ugly. Frankenstein boots, if you ask me. Fine if you're working in a smelting plant, just not very classy on the field. (yes, I'm patent leather belt guy, and no, I don't have Honig's leather ball bags. THAT'S where I draw my line.)

Me, I've got +POS and GD patent leather shoes. The GD's really look sharp, but the interior lining is wearing through at the heals. The +POS don't have a lining, so that's one less thing to wear out. The patent leather sure is pretty, and a breeze to clean, but it's tougher to fix when scratched. Both have the same soles. I bought a pair of Honigs patent leather shoes for an Internet challenged friend, and I kinda like 'em. Light, shiney and well built.

My question would be one of comfort. While I'm all for looking my best while on the diamond I think if they're more comfortable it's worth a little compromise. They really don't look all that bad do they?


http://www.bijoucreeksports.com/catalog/umpplate.jpg


Tim.

This is the first photo I've seem of them-
They don't look too ugly- no more so than other boots I've encountered, but I'd be concerned about the sole.
It looks like a New Balance running shoe sole- not a lot of traction there, plus if you get a little bit of mud, those things will wad up, and you lose any benefit you had from the light weight.
I'll stick with my +POS shoes, but I'm sure there'll be a bunch of guys who'll go for these.


Bainer.

my +POS shoes are the absolute worst when the dirt turns to mud. they go from weighing a lot in the first place, to weighing twice as much. its pretty bad. id almost rather work barefoot and take a few off my toes than use +POS in the mud.

im probably getting these NB plate shoes once honigs gets them back in stock. i absolutely love my NB base shoes

If they're anywhere near as comfortable as the NB 350 base shoes they're worth it!


Tim.

Brian,

Might try Between The Lines, http://www.btlofficialsgear.com , I believe they have them in stock and if they aren't cheaper, they'll price match whoever is.

question: does NB really make these shoes with a black 'N'? purchaseofficials.com has them in stock with my size, but i dont see anywhere to select a black 'N' like they say, nor have i ever seen pictures of them. i dont mind teh white 'N' but would like to see the black one if anyone has pictures. im just going to go for these NBs, white or black i dont know yet

All I saw on their site was Nautilus,Riddell, and Spot-bilt.

Chuck:

Look on this page.

NB Plate Shoes


Tim.

they show up in the picture, but they arent in the product list for plate shoes. at least for me.

Might try calling them, I don't have their catalog in front of me right now, but I thought I saw them in there earlier. Then again, they might be sold out of them too... if so, that's probably why they aren't showing up on the site but in that picture.

Same here.

The NB plate shoes do not seem to have the studded bottoms that the GD plate shoes have. This can be quite a problem, IMHO.

2 years on my +POS mid cuts, and am still VERY happy with them! Look good, great protection, and they are not molded plastic soles! When these soles wear out, I will have them replaced.

EVERY other pair of plate shoes I have had always wore out on the inside. :(

The +POS are heavy, but they have held up so much better than anything else I have tried.

I concur on the durability of the +POS. I wore mine for quite a few years before I decided to replace them this season. Now, I wish I had just gotten another pair rather than switching to the Spot-Bilt.


Tim.

Sorry...Typo

They are U55-1

New Balance isnt filling any orders from BTL. Rex spoke of the defective met. guard that seems to be floating around the internet. Either way, BTL is not selling them any time in the near future. Thats why they are off the product page but still in that picture.

Anybody have any feedback on the Nautilus plate shoe while were on topic?

Have a pair on order. They will be here Tuesday
 

I've used the combo shoes (as plate shoes only) for the past two seasons. I really like the way they feel on my feet. I decided to give the hi-tops (true plate shoes) a try for two reasons. 1) I got tired of fooling with the velcro on the combo shoes and second I think a high top will keep my Davis Wilson shin guards a little higher on my legs and they won't come down as far out of the legs of my pants (I wear plate pants and the guards still come down a little far for my liking). The only general drawback I've seen to either shoe is the soles aren't a turf type like you'd find on some other models of plate shoes. Occasionally I do find my self sliding a little on hardpan surfaces behind the plate. But it's a not much of a tradeoff for the comfort factor.

I have a friend in AA ball and he swears by his Nautilius plate shoes as well.

I wear the crappy Spot-Built model that Tim wears. I liked how comfortable they are and how I could run like the wind (okay, a gentle breeze:) ). After getting nailed in the right big toe by a foul and thinking my toe was broken, and then taking a fastball directly off the left big toe two days later (and thinking that I might as well be wearing tennis shoes), I have decided that I am going back to steel toes, no matter how uncomfortable they may be.:mad:

i dont have personal experience with them, but my partner last night had them and he loves them. he likes the protection, the comfort, and how light they are. the only problem i remember him having was with keeping them clean, as there are a bunch of areas that arent leather and look like they attract more dirt maybe.

I bought both the NB base and plate shoes this winter and they are extremely comfortable and light. I was wearing the Reebok base shoes and they are too narrow. The NB plate shoes started coming apart in the stiching around the toes about three weeks after I bought them ( I call HS or college five days a week). After about five weeks the guard started tearing off and finally came completely off. I have come to realize that I am hard on plate shoes for some reason. I have been through the GD patent leather and Honig's hightops. I just buy a pair every year.

Mine would be much more comfortable if they actually came in
a wide width.

This doesnt sound normal to me.

plateshoe update wanted
 

Several of my associates and I have bought and been using plate and turf shoes from an ad in "Referee" magazine for Inhouse Sports. We all got the patent leather lowcuts and love em. They are the exact same shoes that Honig's sells and are much cheaper (plates are $64 as opposed to $115, and the turf shoes are $39 as opposed to $64). They are the exact same shoes. In House sports pays the shipping. They have a lines of clothes and equipment for all sports. The website is www.inhousesports.com. Check em out

i just ordered the NB plate shoes from purchaseofficials.com ($95), and im hoping they come in by the weekend for my games.

My experiences
 

After completely wearing out a pair of +POS Hightops, I went on a serious search for replacements.....During the last year I wore my "old faithfuls", I asked each of my partners who wore something different about thier plate shoes and got to look over the construction and signs of wear on the shoes.....

First off.... I excluded patent leather shoes.......purely personal reasons, I just dont like the look, although Id love the ease of clean up.

I even got to try out a pair of tanels and a pair of spot builts.....and decided to repurchase the +POS high tops.

When they arrived, I compared them to my old pair and initally thought the leather quality was lesser than my old ones, however after a few evenings of shining, they seem to be very nice....The fit is super and I believe they even have inproved on the sewn seams where the metarsal is connected.. My old ones seemed less securely fastened.

Having taken a few shots off the feet, I mayhave given up some lightness with going back to my +POS, but I am confident in thier protective ability and very happy with thier appearance.....

Stan

I think I may go with these puppies here. They are Timberland 6" Met-Guards. The specs on them are incredible, and I can make them shine like patent with Shape Up.

http://www.zappos.com/images/721/721...3-223889-d.jpg

Steve, buddy. Those look like they belong on a production line welder in a factory. Yuk!


Tim.

That's what the Nautilus models are designed for too, but they seem to be very popular with umpires. They are uglier than sin, too.

If you go read the specs on these Timberland's at http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/11797054.html you will find that they are superior to any plate shoe on the market for quality of construction and protection. I'm not out there to put on a fashion show, I want my feet protected.

Do you really think those New Balance look much better? They are no beauty pageant contestants themselves.

Edited to correct error in link given.

I have the Nautalis shoes and I love them, the protection is great, they are light and I don't notice them weighing me down as I run around the diamond.

my only compliant about them is I have hard time keeping them clean, as its been said before parts of the shoe are not leather and take to dirt very well.

but other that that I would highly reccomend them, good protection and comfertable too, I've gone 18 with them and they have treated my feet very well...better than my base shoes sometimes

joe

I'm using these right now, work well so far:

http://www.lehighsafetyshoes.com/ima...l/5248_reg.jpg

i got my NBs in the mail today. im not working a game for a while but i cant wait to try them out. they fit great and are incredibly comfortable so far, we'll see how they do in a game

I like the Lehigh's, but they are thermoplastic toe. Have you taken any shots to the toe area yet?

plate shoes
 

i love the comfort of my NB base shoes, but hate the look of the NB plate shoes.
I was wearing GD patent leather and love the look and fit, but they are very heavy.
just purchased Honigs K90 Hi top. excellent shoe, great protection and looks and extremely light weight compared to the GD or POS shoes.

Hey all,

I have the KCHS from Honing's. It's basically the same as the K90, just in patent leather. have taken a few foul balls/missed pitches/ and even one step on. I have had no ill effects from any of these, and they are very light and comfortable.

LomUmp:cool:

Actually, yes, a couple right on my left toe in 18U games. Just scuffed the toe a bit, thats all :cool:

I hear what you are implying about the thermo-toe....I can only say it has been OK so far.

Well, I don't know what the heck they use for a toe in those "hard toe" Spot-Builts, but it isn't hard enough to protect the tootsies. It is no exaggeration that it feels like your wearing tennis shoes when hit in the toe. That makes me want to run out and buy ugly industrial boots.

I have had Xclusive, Vans, Riddell, a couple of Honigs and a couple of +POS. I have found them all to be heavy, but good protection. I want a lightweight shoe with the protection of a heavyweight.

Believe me, buddy, I've got one messed up toe right now that illustrates your point about the Spot-Bilts.


Tim.

http://workingperson.com/products/22...ots_E-069.html
http://workingperson.com/products/22...ots_E-069.html

Has anyone seen or heard of new plate shoes supposedly by Mizuno? A friend of mine with whom I worked a while back told me he and one of his partners ordered a pair. He said they were just being introduced and sell for around $250.00. He also told me they're patent leather, very protective, and quite light.

I searched for them but have been unable to find them.

These are the only Mizuno plate shoes I've ever found, and they are from Mizuno Korea, and not patent leather.


http://www.mizuno.co.kr/baseball/up_file/2KU-812002.gif

I don't think those are the ones to whom my friend was referring. I told him to show me what they look like when he gets them in.

mizuno makes a white patent leather plate shoe, but it's only available in japan.

Here are the only two models I found on Mizuno Japan. Still looking for the white patent leather model. Perhaps since it's after Labor Day, they are not available?

http://catalog.mizuno.co.jp/media/im...0_00_11f87.jpg

http://catalog.mizuno.co.jp/media/im...0_00_11f83.jpg

Here is an unusual umpire chest protector (the one on the left, of course). I wonder how effective it is.

http://catalog.mizuno.co.jp/media/im...0_00_11f61.jpg

Looks exactly like the Davis-Wilson protector doesnt it?

No, I don't think it looks the same to me. It looks like better protection, especially in the collar bone area. It is similar in shape, if that's what you mean.
http://www.sportskids.com/sportskids.../0204-0300.jpg

Yeah I see that now.