Plate Shoe Update Wanted

[bcargnel]

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

[ctblu40]

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?

[BigUmp56]

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.

[nickrego]

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.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by nickrego

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.

[BigUmp56]

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.

[nickrego]

Originally Posted by nickrego

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.

Sorry...Typo

They are U55-1

[ToGreySt]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

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

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

[LMan]

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

[briancurtin]

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

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by LMan

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

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

[LMan]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

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

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

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