WOW, I know it was only for one night doing two games, but these shoes are amazing.
Andrew E.
Binghamton, NY
August 14, 2023
The Mizuno plate shoes feel lighter than the New Balance shoes. They run a little narrower than New Balance plate shoes, but overall very comfortable. My only complaint is the flat shoelaces. I can triple-knot them and they’ll still somehow come untied by the 5th inning. Great plate shoe if you swap in oval shoelaces.
Michael L.
Seaford, DE
July 15, 2023
Very comfortable but don’t seem to be holding up. One of the plates stitches has already worn out and now flops around. Looks like this shoe only lasts one season.
Eladio V.
Clifton, NJ
July 15, 2023
Oh my! I have been umpiring for years and I have used New Balance and 3N2 but these are the ONES!! Light and extremely comfortable! Finally a plate shoe that makes the job easier and bearable! Thank You Mizuno!!!
Daniel D.
Southaven, MS
July 3, 2023
I bought these because a lot of people I know that has bought the new model New Balance plate shoe has a problem with the toe of the shoe coming lose. After wearing these for a couple of tournaments I'm extremely satisfied that I purchased these. Very lightweight and comfortable. Only thing I can knock them for is the shoe strings. They're not as good as the ones that New Balance uses.
Troy M.
Pulaski, TN
June 19, 2023
I am very impressed with this plate shoe. I have been wearing New Balance for years, but the Mizuno is far better. Fit is true to size. Feels great on my feet for multiple games behind the plate.
Dale H.
South Williamsport, PA
June 18, 2023
Very comfortable shoes.
Jim T.
Oshawa, ON
June 17, 2023
Remarkable plate shoe. I have been a loyal New Balance customer for years but the Mizuno is a few steps ahead. It is very comfortable and lightweight. I have a wide foot and went up half a size with no issues. Hats off to Mizuno.
Brock C.
Tulsa, OK
June 16, 2023
These shoes are by far and away so much more comfortable than my previous New Balance shoes. They are also very lightweight but protect my feet perfectly. I highly recommend these and thank you, Mizuno, for coming out with a plate shoe!
TP
Niagara Falls, NY
June 8, 2023
Well made shoe and very comfortable.
Eddie B.
Toledo, OH
May 22, 2023
Beautiful and comfortable. Great customer service from Ump Attire. I strongly suggest ordering the next size up from what you usually wear. I wear a size 10 1/2 ordered them, the length was good but very tight. Contacted customer service they issued me a return slip and suggested a re-order of a size 11, which I did. Perfect! In a matter of four days, received the size 11s. I couldn't be happier with both the shoes and Ump Attire!
Timothy T.
Charleston, IL
May 16, 2023
Switched over from New Balance. These are the most comfortable plate shoes I've worn.
Dean H.
Morehead, KY
May 14, 2023
Lighter than my old New Balance shoes. I like that they have a minimum of the "impossible-to-keep-clean" mesh materials designed into this shoe. I like the look of the shoe itself; very clean design with a minimum of nooks and crannies that attract dirt and make the shoe difficult to clean. The metatarsal plate is attached very similarly to the New Balance design. Time will tell if this model will endure or suffer the same failure as some models of the New Balances. I will probably take them to a cobbler to reinforce in the off-season. The fit seems to be a bit snug. If I were to order again, I’d probably go up a half-size. Also seems a bit narrow, but the fit for me is good. My advice to any who order is to order one pair in your normal size and another in a half-size up and try them both on and return the one that doesn’t fit as well.
All in all very happy with these shoes. Don’t have a lot of games on them yet, but very much recommend.
Stephen W.
Laguna Niguel, CA
May 10, 2023
LOVE these new plate shoes! I think they are lighter than the NB, and I like that they are made of leather. Very satisfied with them.
Ismael P.
San Antonio, TX
May 9, 2023
It might be the best shoe since the Unicorn Reebok. It's not heavy, has great fitment, and, most of all, feels like a tennis shoe. Have had them on for 5 games on Saturday, 3 Sunday, and 2 Monday. With other brand plate shoes, my feet would have been killing me just from the weekend work. Put them on this past Monday. I had no problems at all.
Brett D.
Box Elder, SD
May 8, 2023
Great shoes! Wonderful fit in the arch and around the side of my feet. They breathe in an outstanding manner which leaves my feet feeling very relaxed, and thankful that we bought these!
Stephen D.
Wichita, KS
May 7, 2023
Very comfortable and they fit true to size.
Dana H.
Olivet, MI
May 7, 2023
These shoes are comfortable, look good, and easy to clean. I am very impressed with the Mizuno plate shoe.
Jason P.
Belle Plaine, MN
April 29, 2023
Awesome Fit and are very comfortable they look really sharp. I would highly recommend buying these Plate shoes to anyone.
Len
Burbank, CA
April 20, 2023
I far prefer these Mizuno plate shoes to the New Balance. Feels less like a heavy boot and more athletic to run in. Better "leather" and also not as wide, which suits me better. Yes, you will need to buy new shoelaces as these are awful but other than that, they are better in every way. I wore a size 11 in the New Balance shoe and the size 11 Mizuno fits the same.
Drew A.
Lexington, KY
April 17, 2023
Great shoe! Very light and fits true to size. Much more support than my New Balance and is lighter as well.
Bill W.
Madison, AL
April 14, 2023
I bought these to be my "Turf only plate shoes." I had a couple of games yesterday on an all-turf field so I wore them for the first time. WOW! Rotations were a lot easier. By the end of the game, they had gotten a little broken in and felt almost like base shoes. Not only are they super light, but they also have more flex than my other plate shoes, so they are way easier to run in and are more comfortable. They may end up being my go-to plates and my others get relegated to "Turf-only." I wear a "D" width but have to get EE in New Balance, but these were perfectly fine.
Scott D.
Birmingham, AL
April 14, 2023
These shoes are more narrow than the New Balance but run pretty true to size (I wear a 15 in each). I find them much lighter and easier to umpire in than my old shoes. I'm very happy with the fit and the level of protection.
Matthew B.
Manhattan Beach, CA
April 13, 2023
These shoes have cheap dress shoe strings. The shoes run very narrow and small. The logos on sides are poorly done. The cloth will be very difficult to clean. The shoe is cheap!!
Smitty is much much better. On 1 to 10, I’d give a generous 2.
Bob R.
Glenwood Springs, CO
April 12, 2023
I wasn't sure what to expect. I ordered a pair of the turf shoes for football last fall and they weren't comfortable at all. New Balance don't work well for me so I thought I would go ahead and give these a shot. I am so glad I did! I haven't had comfort and support in a plate shoe like this ever and I have had Reebok, Smitty and a couple different New Balance. I am glad Mizuno finally became available!
Anthony L.
Berlin, CT
April 9, 2023
I love the new Mizuno plate umpire shoes. Just have to make sure you order up a size as they run narrow and small. Other than that they're awesome. Very comfortable and durable.
Robin M.
Sierra Vista, AZ
April 7, 2023
No hyperbole, just great fitting, extremely comfortable shoes. If you are looking for new plate shoes give these a try, you won't be disappointed.
Walter C.
Sparks, NV
April 5, 2023
These shoes are extremely comfortable. The metatarsal guard attaches in a way that allows me to lace my shoes nice and tight, just the way I like them. Plus, they look great.
Tony C.
Conyers, GA
April 4, 2023
Great shoe, I like the tight fit. Not bulky, like the New Balance.
Bobby N.
DeKalb, TX
April 2, 2023
Wow, these shoes are so much lighter than the New Balance shoes. To combat the already perceived narrowness, I bought a half-size larger than I normally wear. Great shoe, and as always, incredible service from Ump Attire.
Janet T.
Woodstock, GA
March 31, 2023
I have the all black Mizuno plate shoes and wanted to have a back up pair so I ordered these. Mizuno is the one of two companies to offer a size smaller than a men's 8 (I need a 7) and I don't trust the other brand. I received them on a Wednesday and wore them Wednesday night, Thursday night and Saturday and many times since then. They're amazing. The fit is great, and it feels like I'm walking/running on cushions. I did change the lacing at the top and that made the fit a little better at the top of the foot - felt more secure. The tread on the bottom is tight so it's a little tough to get the mud/dirt out, but it's not horrible.
I highly recommend these shoes. They look SHARP and feel GREAT!
Lane M.
Allen, TX
March 27, 2023
I picked these up to replace my well worn Smitty plate shoes. My Smitty plate shoes are a little roomy, I wear double-socks when using them and they are still a little roomy for me. I also wear a 12 2E New Balance base shoe because I'm kinda in-between a standard and mid-wide size foot. I got the size 12 of these shoes. These Mizunos are SUPER comfy, and look great, love the way the protection plate lays over the foot. The fit is a tad narrow though (not tight on my foot, but feels narrow on the bottom of the foot); the shoe seems to fit fine and comfy, but the sole of the shoe is very narrow, so it feels like I'm standing on a 2x4 edge kinda even though the shoe itself doesn't seem to NOT fit. I am going to return them and hopefully they'll come out with a slightly wider sole for the shoe soon, because these look fantastic.
Justin K.
Bedford, PA
March 22, 2023
After my first plate game of the season, I can say that I like both the look and feel of these umpire plate shoes more than that of the NB v3 shoes. They were comfortable, protective, and look great!
Michael H.
Johnson Creek, WI
March 17, 2023
Purchased these after not liking the New Balance V3 (didn't like how high the toe cap sits and interfered with my shin guard fit). Just got them earlier today; the first impression is great! Very comfortable and the fit was as expected (10.5 for both New Balance and Mizuno) and the shin guards sit perfectly behind the toe cap. I'm looking forward to using them on the field. I appreciate the free return policy. It made it easy to send back the New Balance and I've already received the refund.
What is the length of the laces supplied and does the tongue have a hidden pouch to store excess? – Nicholas Travis
A:
The laces on these plate shoes are 60" inches (5 feet) in length. There is no pouch to store any excess laces.
– Holly Montgomery Customer Service Specialist
Q:
Are they steel toed? – Kelly Cook
A:
No, there is no steel in these shoes. In an attempt to decrease the weight of umpire shoes, manufacturers began changing steel toes with composite materials several years ago. Therefore, the "plate" in plate shoes is short for "home plate", not "steel plate".
– Cortney Anderson Customer Service Specialist
Q:
do the insoles come out to accommodate orthotics? – Eladio Villanueva
A:
No, the insoles of these shoes are not removable.
– Holly Montgomery Customer Service Specialist
Q:
Is this made with 100% leather or man made leather? – Joseph Carter
A:
The upper portion of these Mizuno Umpire Plate Shoes are constructed of a synthetic leather material.
– Hunter Fry Buyer, Customer Service Specialist, Former Basketball Referee
Q:
How is the sizing of these vs. New Balance? Are they true or size up? I normally wear a 10.5 plate shoe from New Balance. Thanks! – Michael Henningsen
A:
We encourage umpires to order their true size. If necessary however, take advantage of our Free Returns Policy.
– Brandon Lawson Support Specialist, Pro Umpire School Graduate and Umpire, Football Official & Basketball Referee
Q:
I use 8.5 in New Balance because, at the front, it's a little tight. What size is better for me in Mizuno; 8 or 8.5? Is Mizuno wider in the front? My real size is 8. – Magali Báez
A:
The Mizuno Plate shoes are true to size. Also, at this time, Mizuno only makes their plate shoes in standard width, not a 2E or 4E width. Remember that Ump Attire offers a generous Free Return Policy, so you can order with confidence and return any unused, non-game-worn product that doesn't fit quite right.
– Holly Montgomery Customer Service Specialist
Q:
Do these plate shoes come in wide or extra wide? – Eddie Duff
A:
These Mizuno umpire plate shoes are only available in a D width.
– Sherie Sandifer Office/Service Manager
Q:
How does sizing with the Mizuno plate shoe compare to the Smitty plate shoe? Should you order the same size as Smitty? Any significant difference in the width between the two? – Nathan Huang
A:
The sizing will be similar in length, however the Smitty All-Black Mid-Cut Umpire Plate Shoe is a generous D width while this Mizuno is a standard D width. We would encourage ordering the same size but also rest assured knowing Ump Attire is happy to offer Free Returns.
– Ty Unthank Marketing Specialist, HS & College Umpire
Q:
Do these shoes fit to size? – Brian Jackson
A:
Yes, we have found these shoes are fitting true to size. However, if you find the sizing unsatisfactory, please take advantage of our Free Returns Policy.
WARNING: Participants in any sports activity assume risk of injury. This equipment may be used to help aid in preventing or reducing the extent of injury. No equipment can guarantee umpire or player safety from injury during participation, and use of this equipment carries no such guarantee. Do not use any umpire equipment that is damaged in any way.