Looking for new chest protector

[mo99]

I am real happy with my Honigs K 2 Fastpitch Elite chest protector which is designed exclusively for F.P. softball..It is really light weight and gives protection for the shoulder/collar bone area and sternum area.I was one of the "old school diehards" that have umpired without a chest protector for years.I like the Honigs K 2 because it gives me the protection where I need it without be restrictive.I lot of guys I umpire with use the "Ump"by Bodyguard Products which is a nice light weight CP as well.I work varsity high school,Division 3 College,and upper level girls and women ASA games and this CP does a great job.

Jeff
NCAA Umpire
NFHS Umpire
ASA Umpire

[blu_bawls]

Best I ever had

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by blu_bawls

Best I ever had

Change the blue pads to black and it looks identical to the Pro 9.

I got this one because of the hard shell caps on the shoulders - before taking a couple of fouls, I was very satisfied with "the Ump".

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by mo99

I am real happy with my Honigs K 2 Fastpitch Elite chest protector which is designed exclusively for F.P. softball..It is really light weight and gives protection for the shoulder/collar bone area and sternum area...I like the Honigs K 2 because it gives me the protection where I need it without be restrictive.

I also use the K2, but I am thinking about replacing it, probably before next season. I've used it for 3 years. I agree about all of the advantages Jeff lists, which is why I bought it in the first place. Very light, very cool, nearly invisible beneath your shirt (except for the shoulder area.)

Excellent shoulder-area protection. Excellent sternum protection. Little to none elsewhere, which is my concern with it. I'm not worried about the lack of belly protection, since a hit there can be painful, but rarely will it be anything serious. My concern is the lack of good protection for the upper chest / rib cage - meaning heart area. There is some half-a$$ed attempt at padding there, but it is really minimal.

[JFA67]

I have been using the UMP for many years and really like it. I use it to do DI softball. I tried the honigs k5 once. I felt too exposed. JMO

[Skahtboi]

After using the All-Star for many years, this season I switched. After trying virtually every chest protector out there, I narrowed down my choices to either the Pro Nine that Steve mentioned, or the Champion that Blu Bawls shows. They are virtually the same chest protector, offering the best protection of any out there for the higher levels of ball. (serious varsity and NCAA.) I decided, largely on the cost difference, to go with the Champion. However, you couldn't go wrong with either of these chest protectors.

[DaveASA/FED]

Has anyone used the Schutt Kool chest protector? I used it once and really liked it, would prefer if I had one slightly larger.....long story but my partner really loved it and wanted me to try hers.....following the game when she saw how much I sweat she didn't think it was such a good idea but anyway does anyone else out there have any experience with it? I liked it it fit snug (ya it was at least 1 if not 2 sizes too small) and seemed to have less limiting feel than the UMP that I have used for years.

[Skahtboi]

My problem with the Ump is the same as what I had with my old All Star. Not near enough protection for the collar bone and shoulders in the higher levels when you take that hard foul shot. The Pro Nine and Champion have hard plastic plates sandwiched between low rebound foam, and the hard shoulder pads. I took a shot off of it in a college game this season and was thankful that I had it.

I will still use my All Star, due to the coolness and lightness of it, in 14U ball. (maybe.) The Champion isn't all that much heavier, though it is a little hotter.

[Steve M]

Skahtboi said
"My problem with the Ump is the same as what I had with my old All Star. Not near enough protection for the collar bone and shoulders in the higher levels when you take that hard foul shot. The Pro Nine and Champion have hard plastic plates sandwiched between low rebound foam, and the hard shoulder pads."

That is exactly why I went with the Pro 9. I went with it AFTER taking a foul off of the top of the shoulder while using the Ump (that I had been using for more than 10 years) - and that one hurt a lot more than I'm willing to take.