to cut or not to cut
 

How many of you guys who have the black west vest 3409 shin guards cut the black foot protector peice off?

I did. It made no sense to leave it attached AND wear plate shoes with a
metatarsal plate.

Not sure we're talking the same shins, but I got a set w/ the silly metatarsal plates: left 'em on exactly ONE game. Beside clanking like "the Iron Giant works the plate" every time I ran, the blasted things had an annoying tendency to hang on my shoes somehow and push the guards up.
I have plate shoes w/ instep protection the dangles on the shins are almost as worthless as "bicep protectors" - I say cut 'em off.

I wore shin guards with the toe plate for one season (thought about that ounce of prevention thing), and decided at the end of that season that since they were cumbersome and I had a shoe plate anyway they were unnecessary. My lastest set of shinguards don't have the toe plate. I've worn them for two years and haven't missed the plate.

JJ

I have never owned a pair of plate shoes without metatarsal plates. I thought that was one feature that made them plate shoes. And, I don't use a metatarsal guard on my shin guards.

I have always wondered why Wilson included the metatarsal flapper on the 3409 in their design to begin with. If someone were going to be investing in these high-dollar, professional quality shin guards, you would think they would be wearing plate shoes with built-in metatarsal plates. I just went with the Douglas shin guards, which I love because of their superb fit, comfort, and protection.

They make them so that the amateur bozos can go to the local work-boot store and grab the $29.95 steel toe special and go out and umpire LL level ball. Obviously, those of us who have a clue buy real Plate Shoes.

well, you're not calling me an amateur bozo, i own a REAL pair of plate shoes :D

That is exactly my point, Ozzy. The bozos who go cheap on steel toed work boots usually do not invest $100+ on shin guards. The folks who usually go for the high-dollar shins, usually go for the high-dollar plate shoes too. Wilson should target the 3409's toward the serious umpire market, and design a new model sans the flap.