Wilson West Chest Protectors
 

Hey guys. I'm 17, and I ump Little League and Travel ball. That being said, I plan to start umping high school soon (maybe even varsity eventually) but will probably never go higher than that. It has come time to purchase a chest protector, and I'm trying to decide between a few different Wilson brands. The price is irrelavent since the league will be paying it for me, and I probably won't have to pay a penny. I was hoping some other, more experienced umps could give me their input as to which they think is best AND what the differences are between the three. Here are the choices:

Wilson Gold
Wilson Platinum
Wilson Major League Hard Shell

Thanks!

The West Vest platinum is a good vest that I enjoy wearing, along with several people in my area (it seems every week I am working with somebody who uses it). The Gold is very similar. Not to start a debate on soft/hard, but IMO, if you are going to be working HS games, you should be getting an armor type protector.

I changed from the soft protector to the Wilson Gold 2 seasons ago and could not be happier.

I you plan on working HS ball I would recommend the hard shell protector and you can't go wrong with either Gold or Platinium

I have a west vest original and a platinum. The platinum is more comfortable and has slightly more protection in the pectoral area. It also is structured better (it's held together with firm straps and permanent fasteners, as compared to velcro). But both are excellent.

My personal feelings:

If you are bigger (over 6'0 200 lbs) the Platinum will fit well. I am smaller than this, and there are some minor sizing issues with the Platinum. If I could do it all over again, I would purchase the Gold because of the fit. However, the Platinum is an excellent protector.

As others have stated, go with a hard-shelled protector. I use the Wilson Platinum and I'm happy with it but I'm sure the others will offer similar levels of protection. Try them on and go with what feels best. Just a word of advice, if you want to ask someone if they'll let you try on their chest protector to see how if fits do so before the game, not after!

I use the Wilson WV Platinum protector, the wilson WV pro leg guards, and bounce between Wilson WV dyna-lite mask and a All Star helmet, and absolutely love the Wilson WV line of umpiring gear.

It protects you well and it is well worth the cost of the equipment and shipping to use this equipment.

The placement of the "shoulder pads" make the WV gold a better protector if you use a heel-toe, GD, or squared off stance. The shoulder pads on the platinum are positioned better for the scissors stance.

what about the Honig's K1 protector? Any advice on that? I just know one guy that uses it and he says he absolutely loves it. I use the WV platinum and love it, but like Tuss said, I wish I could get it to go tighter due to the very reason of it not coming up high enough on my neck.

K1 isn't a hard shell. I would be okay for lower level ball, but would not trust it for High School (maybe I'd trust it, but not as much as I do my WV).

The Honig's K-1 is used by umpires calling NCAA D1 ball, so I think it's proven protective enough to work those levels.

That said, I've owned a K-1 and liked it well enough, but no matter how many chest protectors I give a whirl, and it's been more than a few - I always end up coming back to my West Vest Gold. For comfort, fit and protection, it can't be beat. As Garth mentioned, the shoulder pads are "front mounted" rather than the Platinum's "top mounted" style, so the Gold gives you better collarbone and shoulder protection if you're working a more vertical stance such as the Gerry Davis, heel-toe, etc.

I use the K1 for everything I call. I have a WV Gold and I prefer the K1.

I agree with rich, I've used both at all levels up to varsity and men's leagues and I like the K-1 better, also if you are on the larger size, the K-1 is longer than the WV and I found it does cover up more of my stomach, and that's good

just my 2c

Joe

I respect your opinion and decision Rich to go with the K1. To each his own. If it wasn't quality 'm sure Honig's wouldn't sell it. I'm just too scared to use a soft shell, when I hear stories of people's hearts stopping and the such (not that its a defective CP, it just scares me) so I go for the thing that to me, will protect me the best. If you feel the K1 does that for you, then great. We all have to feel safe so we don't worry about safety while doing our jobs.

All of the "top of the line" products protect well. The big difference is FIT, in my opinion. You need to try on several to see which fits your frame the best. You will be surprised at how different each model feels and fits.

Personally, I use the Honig's K1, because it fits my large athletic (stomach doesn't stick out past my chest) frame best. It molds to my shape, and stays put very well.

The Platinum felt like a stiff board with pads to me, and made it hard to put a shirt or jacket on. The Gold fits just about anyone under 6' well. No experience with the Hard Shell.

I use a WV Gold. When I first put a brand new one on, it was a little uncomfortable, felt "like a stiff board with pads." But after about 1/2 a season, it has conformed well to my body. I love it.

The important things are to be comfortable, and trust your equipment. Most umpires that flinch on pitches in the dirt do so because they don't trust their protection. I suppose you need to take a few shots to the chest, mask, and legs to have faith that you won't get hurt.

When I was looking for a top-o-the-line protector, I borrowed different styles and brands from others to use for a game, then based my decision on my own experience. I assured each owner that I would thoroughly clean the stuff with Lysol and such after use.

Thanks so much for your help guys. I need to try on some different types I guess, but the problem is I don't have stores near me that sell them. I'm in Deerfield, Illinois, by the way. ALso I'm 6'3'' 190 lbs. so it seems like the Platinum would probably fit better than the Gold from what I've heard. Anyway, I gotta figure out a way to try them on.

Thanks

Your HS association should be having multiple vendors come in to display / sell their products at their meetings at the beginning of the season. At least that is what ours does. Honig's has a special crew that does nothing but road shows at association meetings. It's a great way to avoid shipping charges. And if Honig's shows up without something you want, they ship it for free.

Many of the vendors attend the IACAO clinic each spring (it's been at Hinsdale South for a number of years). well worht the trip from Deerfield. You'll get information in your IHSA packet or it will be on the IHSA website.

well in that case, buy sheets of kevlar and carbon fiber, then custom fabricate a chest protector out of that. it will be very lightweight, and bullet resistant. hopefully the league has deep pockets.