DaviShield review

[kylejt]

I bought this for a guy that works at our field, and here's my first impressions.

It's very light. I got the medium, and it's a bit smaller than a standard platinum.

It's thin in the chest, and it molds to your body. The velcro straps are a neat adjustment feature.

I really like the lining, and the mesh back. Very comfortable. My friend worked the dish in it this afternoon, and said it was much cooler than his standard WV.

He didn't feel confident in its ability to protect him, and this was a LL Majors game. He does adult league stuff, and will not use it there. He didn't like the way it fit around his collarbone at all. And he really didn't like the straps that hold the shoulder/arm guards in place. He never took a shot, but he wasn't "feelin' it".

I'm not sold on a bunch of little plates, as opposed to a few big ones, deflecting the blows. I'll run a few experiments (i.e. had someone hit me with a bat) and see how it stacks up with my Platinum, Douglas, K1 and Cooper. I'll wear it later this week, and let y'all know how I like it.

[DonInKansas]

Originally Posted by kylejt

I'll run a few experiments (i.e. had someone hit me with a bat) and see how it stacks up with my Platinum, Douglas, K1 and Cooper. I'll wear it later this week, and let y'all know how I like it.

Please take video of this and post it on Youtube for us. This would be awesome.

[MajorDave]

Originally Posted by DonInKansas

Please take video of this and post it on Youtube for us. This would be awesome.

That would be EFFIN AWESOME!, i.e. wickedly funny. Right up there with the Nutty Buddy guy. Do it, man, just do it.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I bought the Nutty Buddy based on that video.

Luckily, they take returns, so it only cost me $13.00 shipping it back and forth instead of $28.00 if I kept it.

Once you actually put it on, the odd shape makes it dig into your legs so you can't walk, run or squat with it on. Other than that ...

It was odd returning a protective cup, but $28.00 shipped?! That's a lot for a friggin' cup that you can't even wear. I don't understand who wears these things or how they do.

[Bishopcolle]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

I bought the Nutty Buddy based on that video.

Luckily, they take returns, so it only cost me $13.00 shipping it back and forth instead of $28.00 if I kept it.

Once you actually put it on, the odd shape makes it dig into your legs so you can't walk, run or squat with it on. Other than that ...

It was odd returning a protective cup, but $28.00 shipped?! That's a lot for a friggin' cup that you can't even wear. I don't understand who wears these things or how they do.

The video (I just watched it) sold me, but Kevin....no good, huh? Wow, the guy took a shot, didn't he?

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

I bought the Nutty Buddy based on that video.

Luckily, they take returns, so it only cost me $13.00 shipping it back and forth instead of $28.00 if I kept it.

Once you actually put it on, the odd shape makes it dig into your legs so you can't walk, run or squat with it on. Other than that ...

It was odd returning a protective cup, but $28.00 shipped?! That's a lot for a friggin' cup that you can't even wear. I don't understand who wears these things or how they do.

I'm surprised. I like mine quite a bit.

Maybe you got one that was too big?

[midmoump]

Really great info, kylejt! Thanks for posting!

Please post more after you get a chance to give the DaviShield a test run. The Davis website advertises hard plastic panels that overlap without gaps and conform to your chest. Is that right? Are there gaps when you wear it? The photo makes it look like the neck opening is wide and doesn't offer good collar bone protection.

I love my Platinum protector, but it really is big and cumbersome. Something lighter and cooler would be great if it offers the same protection.

Looking forward to hearing more!

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by Bishopcolle

The video (I just watched it) sold me, but Kevin....no good, huh? Wow, the guy took a shot, didn't he?

The "anatomically correct" design has two bulges on the sides that make it uncomfortable to wear--especially if you wear it properly. It seems that it would be extremely protective, if you could wear it comfortably. They should just make a standard-design cup with the same material.

[MajorDave]

I HIGHLY recommend that you try the Under Armour cup. It is very comfortable and strong. I have taken some direct shots and some deflected shots in this thing and I have not felt anything greater than a push on the cup. It is made of carbon fibre and some rubber on the sides where it touches the legs. I kid around but it might even have some Kevlar in it. Because it seems as if it would stop a bullet. Price is around $15 to $20.

It fits nicely into the cup pocket of my McDavid tights and shorts. No special rigging like the Nutty Buddy. I almost tried it but was not interested in a jock and shorts/tights.

My two cents. Your mileage may vary.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Oh, I forgot; I had to buy a jock that I no longer need to wear the Nutty Buddy that I couldn't use. So, actually the expense incurred in trying the Nutty Buddy was really a little over $20.00, instead of the $40.00 it would have cost to keep it.

[umpduck11]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

I bought the Nutty Buddy based on that video.

Luckily, they take returns, so it only cost me $13.00 shipping it back and forth instead of $28.00 if I kept it.

Once you actually put it on, the odd shape makes it dig into your legs so you can't walk, run or squat with it on. Other than that ...

It was odd returning a protective cup, but $28.00 shipped?! That's a lot for a friggin' cup that you can't even wear. I don't understand who wears these things or how they do.

I wear the Nutty Buddy for every plate I work. I have had no problems at all walking, or running with it in place. And the thing I love the most about it is that you don't get tagged by a bouncing ball from underneath.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by midmoump

The Davis website advertises hard plastic panels that overlap without gaps and conform to your chest. Is that right? Are there gaps when you wear it? The photo makes it look like the neck opening is wide and doesn't offer good collar bone protection.

No overlap, but no gaps on the chest. Just lots of little plates.

Two problems I see. One, the collar bone is a bit more exposed than I like. It rides high enough, but it's not narrow enough. And that's a problem with most c/p's, you can't adjust that. Either it fits, or it doesn't. Sure, you need to get your head in there, but my neck is narrower than my dome, as are most non-offensive linemen.

Next, the little plates. Common sense would tell you they wouldn't displace as much energy as the big ones. And since they don't overlap, every plate is on their own.

Now, this rig is really well built, and has some great features. The velcro, pull-down adjustment on the back is really neat. It cinches up the c/p very easily. The mesh in the back, and the liner is better than anything I've ever seen.

Hey, maybe I'm all wrong on this, and I'll find some secret way to adjust this thing over my collar bone. And maybe it will take a blow better than I think it will. Stand by, as I just opened the box yesterday.

[DonInKansas]

Where's the assault with a deadly weapon video, kyle?

[outathm]

Originally Posted by MajorDave

I HIGHLY recommend that you try the Under Armour cup. It is very comfortable and strong. I have taken some direct shots and some deflected shots in this thing and I have not felt anything greater than a push on the cup. It is made of carbon fibre and some rubber on the sides where it touches the legs. I kid around but it might even have some Kevlar in it. Because it seems as if it would stop a bullet. Price is around $15 to $20.

It fits nicely into the cup pocket of my McDavid tights and shorts. No special rigging like the Nutty Buddy. I almost tried it but was not interested in a jock and shorts/tights.

My two cents. Your mileage may vary.

I cannot imagine a more aptly named piece of equipment than an 'under armor' cup. This is worth the price at twice the cost.

[kylejt]

Alright, I did a game in the DaviShield this evening. My impressions.

It's really light, and very thin. I've got lot of room in my shirt, and it felt like it wasn't there some of the time. I work the box, with my left hand tucking under the c/p. I had to feel around for it when I started, as it's just a hair shorter than my platinum.

I had it in the back of my mind that the collarbone coverage was not as narrow as I'd like. I think I'm covered, though.

I HATE the velcro adjusted arm bands. My shirt kept riding up, and exposing my bare arm to the elastic strap. It bugged me several times.

The small panels DO overlap, but only when laid flat. Once it's curved to your body, it's every panel for itself.

This is a really cool feeling vest. The mesh backing is the best of any c/p I've ever worn. The quality is top notch.

I didn't take any shots, so I tried a little experiment (sorry mates, no video). I use a baseball , drilled and Gorilla glued to a golf club shaft for training umpires. I had a fellow umpire wail away on me with my Davis, K1, an original WV, and my platinum. The last three laughed at the pelting baseball, but I felt every shot to the chest in the DaviShield.

I busted a rib last fall, and one shot reignited the pain I thought I got rid of months ago. F!

I really, really wanted to like this rig. It really looks cool under a plate coat, and it has some nice features that others don't. Just not enough to get hurt over. So back it goes.