Lighter, thinner, more comfortable, breathes better than the +pos and protects as well or better.

Ordered the shins Monday, arrived today.

I can see that these things would stop a train, but they are bulky. I may stick with my existing shins which are lighter and less bulky. I will have to wear them around the house before I take them on the field and USE them.

I use the K1 for college games. You'll feel the direct shot, but the job of a chest protector isn't to make you immune to feeling anything, it's to protect from a damaging shot. And the K1 is much lighter that anything Wilson.

I've never heard of anyone breaking a rib with a west vest.

I know someone who broke his clavicle wearing one (I don't know whether it was the gold or the platinum)

There must be a story there. Do tell.

My M-I-L broke a rib coughing last winter.

It's all about risk/reward for me. As I see it, the reward for wearing the K1 (lighter, cooler) outweighs the risk. The equation clearly doesn't work out the same for you.

I would guess the Gold worn improperly. The Platinum goes over the shoulders and it would be pretty hard to leave a clavicle exposed with one.