Umpire Chest Protector Buying Guide

The Basics | In-Depth Discussion | Compare Soft Shell Protectors | Care

THE BASICS

Umpire chest protectors should actually be called chest and shoulder protectors as there is protection available for both the chest and shoulders.

When choosing a chest protector, you must first choose the level of protection needed. Chest protectors come in either a hard shell with soft inner padding or with soft padding with or without hard plastic inserts. Obviously, you’ll get more protection from the hard shell than you will the soft, but the soft will be lighter, cooler and relatively more comfortable.

The hard shell chest protectors are now made with lighter materials than ever and do contour better to the body than older styles for a more comfortable fit.

Chest protectors will cover from the bottom of your neck down to your belly button. Depending on your position, you’ll be in a position where anything lower will not be exposed. The chest protector will not protect your throat. Some face masks have an extra extension that should cover you. An additional throat protector will help bridge any gap that might leave more than your throat exposed.

All chest protectors come with an adjustable harness that will fit around your back and latch into the other side to keep in place when behind the plate. Our umpire shirts are made to fit over any chest protector style.

IN-DEPTH

Hard Shell Umpire Chest Protectors
Many of the chest protectors we carry were designed by umpires. They include the Wilson West Vest Gold and Platinum (shown above) designed by MLB umpire Joe West. The hard shells offer the best protection and are surprisingly lightweight.

The Gold (at left) offers more protection around the shoulders and is more contoured and a little tighter around the clavicle. The Gold has the thickest underneath padding of the 3 hard styles. The Platinum has additional sternum protection. All offer good rib protection.

We think the Platinum fits more comfortably, but some umpires think the Gold is the most comfortable fit possibly because there are two chest sizes in which to choose for a closer fit. We might suggest a mock turtleneck for the Gold as it may fit too snugly and cause some chaffing without. If you can’t decide, the Platinum is the least expensive model of the two.

Soft Shell Umpire Chest Protectors
The soft shell chest protectors have come a long way as most provide more protection than in the past. Besides being lightweight, all provide some type of perspiration management and are less expensive than their hard-shell cousins.

Soft shells vary on whether or not they have additional extensions for the biceps, whether multiple sizing options are available and whether or not they offer added protection through plastic plates embedded within the chest protector itself.

The Diamond soft shell chest protector is a very basic chest protector that does offer some shoulder protection and only should be used for youth level. Other soft shells such as the Pro Nine, Gerry Davis and Diamond iX3 have embedded plastic inserts, provide biceps extensions and are also worn at the high school levels. The only difference here is that whereas those are purchased separately with the Pro Nine, the Diamond variety is included.

Diamond iX3 Umpire Chest Protector

Gerry Davis Umpire Chest Protector

Pro Nine Umpire Chest Protector

Regarding sizing, the Pro Nine offers the best range. There are 12", 14" and 16" sizes. With the optional sizing plate, sizes 18" and 20" are also possible. Besides this chest protector, the Gerry Davis and Diamond iX3 will cover nearly the same range together. The Gerry Davis comes in smaller sizes of 11" and 13", a preference for many women, whereas the Diamond is either a 14" or 18" depending on whether the sizing plate is used.

Regarding price, it is no surprise that with an increase in features comes an increase in price.

Umpire Chest Protector Care
Don’t throw your chest protector in the washing machine. Use a mild soap instead and wash by hand without immersing into water. Check your straps periodically.