Riddell Power
 

Watch out Carlucci, a used Riddell Power may just weigh in on the price scale above your product. I saw this on ebay and wondered what it is about this particular CP that would garner such a price.

Riddell Power


Tim.

Wow, it could be the same one I used to have (it looks the same...:D ).

Tim, it's just the best chest protector ever made (Carlucci excluded). If I had the spare ducketts, I would be bidding on it. I could just kick myself (and have) for getting rid of it for what amounted to 3 magic beans.

The thing stops a bullet. The only protection I find even comparable on the market these days is the WV Platinum, but even that pales by comparison.

Iwas thinking thesame thing when I saw what the bid was up to.....I wondered if it came equipped with a radar that called balls and strikes for you as well as a chilled beer holder......wow!

I watch a lot of stuff on eBay and that one had me scratching my head, too.

What about this protector makes it that much better than any other hard-shell? It looks to be constructed about the same as the various Wilson models. Thicker padding, maybe? Thicker plastic panels?

It certainly is a long sucker though! Not only would that one cover my chest, but it looks like it would be tucked down into my pants below the belt line.

By the way, did anyone notice that several pieces of Carlucci gear were on eBay this week?

Joe West's $.02
 

When I asked him, Joe West has said that the Riddell is "weaker" than his protectors because the padding is sewn through, where the Wilson products (Gold & Platinum), are not. He might have just been puffing up his products, but with the Power off the market for 10+ years now, why would he?

I know of atleast 1 MLB umpire who uses this exact same one.

At least one MLB? How could there be more using this exact one? Do they share? And why is/are he/they selling it?

Garth, the exact same model chest protector.

Joe West has been running this smack since before he sued to get the Riddell taken out of production. Because of Mr. West's lawsuit, umpires everywhere have been denied the superior protection that the Riddell Power afforded. This is also why I've never owned a West Vest (stupid little protest, really). At the time I traded my Power for some other gear, I did not know that they had been pulled off the market. The guy I traded it to did.http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_1_102v.gif

The reason this is getting bit so high is the same reason some joker paid about 2 bills for my Douglas West Vest. They're collectors items, and MLB umpire groupies want to just like their heroes. Trust me, that Douglas was nothing special, and the $29.95 West Vest we all got off of Amazon.com last December (you all did get a couple of those, right?) is just as good, if not better.

I've had the Riddell in my hands, and wouldn't take it over my Gold or Platinum. IMO, it's the geegaw factor of wearing a collectors item, as opposed to a superior product. And that's ok. I drive a '67 Mustang for probably the same reasons. A '07 Shelby is better in every way than my old car. But I like my old sled because it's cool.

You've had the Riddell in your hands. I've worn and trusted it for a couple years. It took every shot imaginable, and I never felt a thing. That's good enough for me. I wouldn't want one for a collector's item, or any "geegaw" (like Grandpa Jones, I don't know Gee from Haw anyway) factor. I really wish Riddell would come out with a new, non-patent infringing model, and just go ahead and put ol' Joe out of bidness.:cool:

So, that's your opinion of the guy that bought your DWV? Remind me not to buy anything off you!:eek:

I'm not slamming the Power or the Douglas. They're fine rigs.

Are they better than the thirty dollar WV I bought on-line? I didn't see it. Perhaps they fit some builds better than others. That would certainly be a plus. The Douglas is the exact same thing as my $30 WV, that someone paid me nearly $200 for. And it was old and used.

But I was just poking fun at the bidders on my Douglas. Much like the guy who paid huge money for my old +POS SUL.

Again, nostalgia is great. I wish I had my '67 Shelby GT500 again. Although I'd probably sell that too, seeing that it would fetch $100K+ now.

Same seller has a Carlucci up for sale as well

http://cgi.ebay.com/Umpire-Chest-Pro...QQcmdZViewItem

It cost some guy $426 to wear an old, used chest protector.

Only in America.

Hey, I'm no better. I've got an old American League plate coat that I sport from time to time. It's not that it keeps me warmer than my new +POS jacket, but it's definitely cooler.

The Riddell sold for over $400, eh. Hmm, might be time to put mine on the market.

I've owned one for a few years. I used to whip it out when working with umpires who would recognize it's collector item status and be impressed.

I do not think it's as protective or more protective than the West Vest Gold, though. I have never taken a shot I've felt wearing the Gold, whereas I have taken a shot to dead center chest wearing the Riddell that, while not posing any particular problem, definitely had some sting to it. The Riddell's padding is a skotch thinner than the West Vest, and the result is as one would expect.

HAD is the operative word. I've had a bunch of old Mustangs, '65 GT-K, '65 GT 2+2, '69 Shelby GT350 and the 500. The GT500 was just scary. I'm working on a '67 coupe, with '88 roller that Mr. Edelbrock has breathed heavily on. My first crack at a hotrod.

The plate coat is definitely for show. Dust off that Power, and you can afford headers and a Flowmaster systems for the Mach 1. Keep the '69, the GTCS is just a plain ol' '68 with some do-dads. You won't like it. But friend of mine made a GTCS convertible, and that is really cool looking.

I should have won
 

I had a max bid of $325 on this one, and when I woke up Sunday morning, I had lost. I really wanted that chest protector.

Why? I'm not trying to be a wise***, I'm just curious.

The Carlucci chest protector (from the same seller that sold the Riddell) went unsold and has been relisted, with $10 knocked off the starting price ($89).

Personally, I'd rather have the Carlucci at that price than the Riddell at four times that price. I'm tempted to go for it, just to hold one in my hands see it up close. Since these protectors are custom made to the users exact measurements, I would be concerned about it fitting properly if I ever decided to use it.

Same seller had three sets of Carlucci shin guards up last week. It looks like one set sold, the other two have also been relisted.

Notice how snug the riddell sits on the clavical and on the front of the neck. I have a west vest and no matter how tight I tie it, it still sags down throughout the game. I have colleagues that have the riddell power and it fits the same as it does when the walk off the field as when they walked on the field. The carlucci is a great proctector as well, but I don't like the longer bulky shoulder pads. Also, I have worn the riddell power before and loved it, so I guess thats why I bid so much, I think its worth it. I have been trying to get one for 2 years! People complain that umpire equipment/apparel costs so much, but if you get the best and look good, it will help out in the long run.

Not sure what your problem is. I have a Platinum and have worn a Gold, and they fit the same on me, from beginning to the end of a game. ??

Don't blame Joe West for what happened to the Riddell. As someone who has designed and patented products that are currently in the market place, I have to back him up. Joe was simply protecting his intellectual property, and revenue source. I would do the same thing, if it came down to it.

If Riddell wanted to, they could have designed a product that would have been defendable against his patent. Believe me, it doesn't take much. My guess is they didn't have the stomach for the effort, or decided there wasn't enough profit in chest protectors.

I wonder if they tried to license their product from Mr. West ? You see, although a good product was lost (in some opinions), do you really think Riddell looked at it that way ? They could care less if the absolutely best chest protector that could ever be designed never makes it to the market, if they aren't the ones reaping the profit.

We on the other hand, WANT the opportunity to buy the perfect product, and do get PO'd when we can't. Been there also, so I feel for ya.

Good point as i do this myself- although i use athletic tape. Before last year, without doing this, i noticed my CP straps gradually wiggling more and more loose with every game, but it was very subtle. After taping my straps, my CP fits the same way everytime.

Perfect answer.

Why is it that you have to add tape to get the perfect fit? Seems like a good chest protector would do all that without adjustment. The Riddell Power does that.

Fyi
 

From Joe West himself:

Riddell had a dishonest employee who was involved in making the Powers. They ended up admitting they were infringing, and paid him for every one they sold.

I use black cloth tape. Not that the straps move, it's just to keep them from flapping. I just hope I'm done "growing".

Tim C
 

What happened to his post where he said, "whatever" that was funny. It made me and everyone in the office laugh.

I use the black tape hockey players use for their sticks...blends right in w/the black straps.

Hmmm... weird, i just put my CP and all of my shirts (navy and powder), and i could not see either the straps or the red W that you claim shows through...

I have cliff keens, so maybe that's different from what you own which would show through.

Hey all,

Black duct tape on the CP straps and black electrical tape on the mask straps. No slippage AND a clean and professional look.

LomUmp:cool:

Why put tape, of any color, on mask straps?

Hey all,

I adjust the straps, cut to leave about an extra 1-2" and tape down to hold in place and clean the look.

LomUmp:cool:

I have been having a miserable afternoon. It's snowing, my basketball game's been postponed, and I'm in a bit of a funk for some reason.

And then the Riddell Power showed up on my doorstep this afternoon.

I've tried it on. Need to adjust the straps, etc. but I can see why people want to get one. It's the perfect balance of a hard shell but lightweight protector.

I have an option to buy it and it looks like I probably will.

A Question
 

Rich, if you are having such a bad day, let me ask: You willing to sell the power so your day can get a little better? :D

It's not mine to sell. I was promised a "friend price" and if I don't keep it, it goes to someone else or back to the owner.

It's not going back, though. 4 or so basketball checks pay for it.

I know the Riddell Power is the "Holy Grail" of chest protectors, but, I recently found what I consider one of the best CP's I have ever worn on Ebay. I found a lightly used All American Pro and paid only $75.00 for it including shipping.

To each his own, I guess!

I have a Carlucci. Now I'm spolied, I will never wear anything else as a chest protector.

Every guy who has one says that.

And then they each tell their particular Cece Carlucci story.

What a legend.

So YOU were the lone bidder. Congrats. You got a very good, very hard-to-find CP at about $40 off.

I left that one alone. I was going to recommend it to another umpire who has concerns over how short the Gold is. I did like that original Gold one the guy was selling, but his reserve was too high. You can get a new Gold for $135 now. So used ones are barely worth more than $100.

I do still love that Douglas I picked up on ebay a while back for a price so low I don't even want to reveal it. I work it into the rotation every now and then, and it is a comfortable, low-profile hard shell. Yours will offer more coverage, however. A good friend has one, and he loves it.

I went up on ebay and I couldn't find a Riddell Power CP (I never can), but this time, I did come across a rare Riddell Black and Red umpire's mask.

You can buy it now for only $29.00, or make an offer!

Here's the link:

Nice RIDDELL Black and Red UMPIREs 10" Face Mask - eBay (item 110379926753 end time Jan-15-10 19:50:28 PST)

Actually, there were 4 bidders I think.

I already have the All American in the 14" model, just wanted to give the 17" one a try. They are very good CP's, I don't think people know about them though. Lucky for me!

Searching for Riddell Power protectors (call it a hobby) and I found this old thread.

I've had my Power for 6 seasons now. It's been on ESPN, I've worked 2 state HS championships while wearing it. I bought one of those Unequal Protectors when they came out (and I still have it), but I went back to the Power after wearing that thing for about 8-10 games.

The only alteration I made to it was I sent it to Team Wendy and had them put their padding on it. I also put a new harness on it. The original harness and padding were falling apart and I needed to do something to get the rest of my career out of it.

A friend of mine has a Carlucci. It's a nice rig...he thinks he can get $5k for it.

I told him...sell it now and good luck.