new balance plate shoes

[ggk]

any opinions on the new balance plate shoes now that they have been around for a couple of years? how is the durability? i'm sure they are lightweight and comfortable. i'm really not sure about the look. i don't like the look of the rivets on the front of the shoe. are they covered by your plate pants?? thx.

[cowbyfan1]

Originally Posted by ggk

any opinions on the new balance plate shoes now that they have been around for a couple of years? how is the durability? i'm sure they are lightweight and comfortable. i'm really not sure about the look. i don't like the look of the rivets on the front of the shoe. are they covered by your plate pants?? thx.

I like them overall.. They are a bit snug putting them on for some reason tho. I feel like I can barely get the laces loose enuff to put them on.

[kylejt]

Maybe you bought a too small size.

I've bought two pairs for friends of mine, both a half size over their normal shoe size. Both rave about comfort and performance. Everyone I know that has these shoes love them. The looks are a personal preference, but they're starting to grow on me. I've switched to the NB 350 shoes for the bases, and they are fabulous.

No one I know of has complained about any sort of break down in the shoes.

[GarthB]

1. They come small. Order at least a half size larger.

2. If you have a high instep, they are difficult to put on.

3. Several MiLB umpire who wore them this year reported tearing of the leather where the metatarsal plate attaches to the shoe. I have seen four pairs so torn. (Mine aren't) One theory...the difficulty with which they go on creates the need to bend the plate back too far.

4. They are extemely comfortable and light.

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by ggk

any opinions on the new balance plate shoes now that they have been around for a couple of years? how is the durability? i'm sure they are lightweight and comfortable. i'm really not sure about the look. i don't like the look of the rivets on the front of the shoe. are they covered by your plate pants?? thx.

Durability suffers to comfort and lightweight on all surfaces.

[newump]

i'm sure they are comfortable - i love their base shoes- but the area of rivets looks terrible.

[etn_ump]

I wore the NB plate shoes for 34 plates this year. They are very comfortable, light and offer great protection.

I've never noticed the rivets, myself. I had to go out to my equipment bag and take a look. Yep, they are black just like most of the shoe. I guess that's why I never noticed them.

Get a pair, you'll love 'em!

[UMP25]

A longtime fan of the look and protection of the Davis plate shoes--I wore the high tops--I switched this year to the NB ones. In my 30-year career, they are by far the best plate shoes I have ever worn.

They do have a nice sheen to them, and they're the lightest, most comfortable ones I've ever worn. I've taken some hard shots off them in some D-I and independent pro ball games and have suffered no negative consequences.

Take Garth's and others' advice: order the next size up, and even the next width. I take 3E in width but went with 4Es on these and am glad I did, because the 3E ones were too tight.

[newump]

i have the Davis plates now. you guys have convinced me to give these a try.
thx.

[justanotherblue]

I love mine. Just make sure you get the proper width also. As already mentioned, they run a little small, so at least a half size larger than normal. There was a problem in the past with the plate, however NB re-designed them from what I was told. I haven't had any problem with mine.