Official Review: Smitty All-Black Mid-Cut Umpire Plate Shoes
The first umpire plate shoe by Smitty is an ode to the previous New Balance 460 plate shoe. Excelling in comfort and a professional genuine leather shine, this is a wallet-friendly, all-level protective pair of plate shoes.
These shoes are comfortable out of the box, protect well against direct shots to all of the foot, and are easy to take care of. However, like others have said, the quality is not perfect, and I am another owner whose shoes are experiencing advanced signs of aging in under 1 full calendar year. The bridge by the eyelets is coming apart at the seams. I don't like buying new shoes every season, but I will have no choice but to by new ones or get them repaired in the middle of the busiest time of the year.
Joffrey W.
Tuscaloosa, AL
May 26, 2023
Some of the best plate shoes I’ve ever had!! Very comfortable out of the box, hardly any break in time needed! I will be honest, due to some of the negative reviews I read, I took my time ordering this pair of plate shoes! However, time will tell. The "18-month and already tearing up" reviews concerned me the most! However, fresh out of the box, I’m very happy with the shoe. Time will tell on the rest!! I’m kicking myself because I didn’t order them sooner! I’m even considering ordering a second pair to put away in case the 18-month thing is true.
Martin S.
San Bernardino, CA
May 4, 2023
I regret that these shoes are only 18 months old and they are already coming apart. Overall the shoes performed well but for $35 more I can purchase a better quality product. The ankle padding is what is failing and I have never had this problem with other brands. Sad.
Will P.
Twin Falls, ID
October 6, 2022
Shoes fit great. My feet got a little sore this summer when I wore them for more than 3 games in a row with softball tournaments this summer, and the metatarsal guard is starting to tear and I'm not sure how long it will last. I've taken a few missed low balls off the guard, barely felt a thing, pretty good shoes over all. Make them a bit better cushioned for those long multiple games you're in them but aside from that, it is a good shoe.
Scott U.
New York
May 17, 2022
I love the shoe. Only drawback is they are very hard to get on without a shoe horn.
Ralph B.
Victoria, BC
May 5, 2022
The Smitty umpire plate shoe is a solid well-built shoe. But umpires have to run and be flexible when moving on their feet. These are akin to steel toe work boots. The shoe is too stiff. I found them too heavy. The width is too narrow. I do many games alone at the plate with the umpire shortages and your feet swell after wearing them for two games it's painful. I wore 3n2 plate shoes for a few years and do over 70 games a year in them. I just bought another pair in 2E width. So if you have a wide foot do not buy Smitty.
Kirk B.
Rapid City, SD
April 24, 2022
These were surprisingly comfortable from day one. The fit was true and I was pretty impressed with how good they fit.
Joe C.
Soulsbyville, CA
January 26, 2022
Purchased because I really liked the New Balance style and these were so similar. They are quality made as I have a long narrow foot so I did have to put in an insert but ready to put them to the test Tuesday, Feb 1st with my first plate job of 2022.
JD
South Dakota
December 13, 2021
Unfortunately, my feet are too wide for the D width. I owned a pair of New Balance 4E's that are essentially identical and they were awesome. Wore them for years. Only drawback is Smitty doesn't have a wide foot option. My toes rubbed the toe box. If you have a "standard" foot, you'll love them.
John B.
Valrico, FL
December 8, 2021
Just ordered my second pair. These plate shoes are really comfortable and easy to move in. I got hit in the shoe plenty of times while wearing these and never felt a thing. Highly recommended!
Elio S.
Lincoln, NE
October 17, 2021
Excellent.
Lane M.
Allen, TX
September 16, 2021
These plate shoes are wonderful. Comfortable, enough space for double-socks if you want (even at the normal shoe size, no need to go up a size etc). Easy to clean and look great. Still comfortable after 3.5 hours of doing squats each night.
Darrell L B.
Laurel, MD
September 14, 2021
I was about this website and boy am I'm glad this is the site for all things umpire. You need these Smitty umpire plate shoes. They are very comfortable. Let me tell you, I was nervous about ordering them, I'm glad I did. Great plate umpire shoes.
Gustavo G.
Brownsville, TX
August 14, 2021
Comfortable, professional, stylish, affordable, and just the way to go.
Keith M.
Harrisburg, PA
July 8, 2021
Needed to wear right out of box, great fit and comfortable. No blisters or hot spots.
Blaine Y.
Woodsboro, MD
July 8, 2021
After the last few weeks wearing the Smitty plate shoes I have been very pleased! I was very weary of buying these due to the unavailable width options for my typical fit. I have found that my 4E width is not a problem for these in my normal size. These shoes clean up very well unlike others with newer mesh options. I'm sticking with these for good!
Patrick K.
Bluefield, WV
June 12, 2021
Solid umpire plate shoe for the price. A little less protection then the new model New Balance but solid for most high school games and down. A little hard to clean would be my only complaint. It’s pretty comfortable. I’m very flat footed and these shoes are good to my feet.
Derrick R.
Machesney Park, IL
May 16, 2021
Good umpire plate shoes for the $. Bought them right before a big weekend tournament where I did 10 games in them. Feet felt fine after 2 days in them. Happy I bought them.
Bob R.
Glenwood Springs, CO
May 11, 2021
Great fit, great protection, great price. Smitty has upped their game on equipment and apparel over the years and are putting out some great products!
Adam H.
Dyer, IN
May 10, 2021
I'm a new umpire, and I have to get used to coaches trying to take advantage of my age. (I'm 15). I got licensed this year and when I got these plate shoes, I was a little skeptical on how much protection I would have. But after having them for a month now, I've taken a 60 MPH fastball off the toe, and I didn't even feel a thing. These plate shoes are absolutely amazing, and with proper maintenance, I can probably use these for a whole season. To those out there who are skeptical about the shoes, and if they are "worth the money"; trust me when I say this, they are worth every penny.
Bobby J.
Tifton, GA
April 1, 2021
Great pair of plate shoes. Break in very quick. I usually have to put in extra insoles but not with these. Very pleased.
Jeff R
Virginia
March 12, 2021
Great plate umpire shoe. Wear good and last a long time if you do proper maintenance.
Jeremy H.
Centeral, OH
March 4, 2021
These plate umpire shoes arrived on Friday. I wore them for three games indoors on Saturday. No pain, no issues. At the of time of writing this, they have 12 games in them. Fit and feel better than the plate shoes they replaced which were New Balance. Those lasted 300 games before the insides fell apart. If the Smitty's last 200 to 300 games or more, well worth their money - heck, even if they only go half the distance of the shoes they replaced. Very pleased with my purchase.
Dan C.
Tennessee
June 14, 2020
Bought because of the price. Nice umpire plate shoe and lightweight.
Amir B.
North Liberty, IA
November 13, 2019
These umpire plate shoes feel really nice. I haven't had time to field test them but have been walking around with them on and seem very comfortable. Great price!
Perry A.
St Charles, MO
July 26, 2019
I've been wearing the same plate shoes for 12 years. Yeah, I know how to stretch a dime. But I was overdue for new. The problem was the price tag. So I chose Smitty's because of the cost so I did not have high expectations. Talk about exceeding expectations! These shoes are awesome! Comfort, great protection, lightweight...A+.
James M.
Cumming, GA
June 25, 2019
Just bought this plate shoe and wore it for first time. Very comfortable shoe. I had a pair of New Balances and like this plate shoe a lot more. I have the base shoe as well by Smitty and it's just as comfortable. Good shoes for long days of umpiring.
Jason P.
Belle Plaine, MN
May 20, 2019
OMG, these umpire plate shoes are the-bomb! I immediately put them on and knew I was gonna like them. Very lightweight and very, very, very comfortable and not bad looking either. Wore them the other night and my partner asked what kinda plate shoes they where and I said Smitty and he just looked at me. He said he was going to go home and order himself a pair. Just another awesome product from a awesome company. Ump-Attire.com has the best products!
Mark D.
Camden, DE
April 29, 2019
I am impressed with these Smitty plate shoes - not a fan of the New Balance V3 - These are almost identical replacements for the older NB 460's which I really liked.
Matthew B.
Manhattan Beach, CA
February 28, 2019
Same shoe as older new balance 460's. Only difference, sole pattern and easy to clean. Nice shoe!
Scott S.
Chinook, MT
February 27, 2019
I am very pleased with these plate shoes, they went beyond my expectations. Very comfortable and were right on for fit.
Is there a lace management feature on these shoes or do the laces just flop around on the plate of the shoe? – Tim Zemaitis
A:
No lace management on these Smitty shoes. The laces come through the eyelets and tie on top of the guard plate.
– Sherie Sandifer Office/Service Manager
Q:
Do these shoes fit big? I’m a size 9.5 and was wondering if I should order same the size or go down half size. – Brian Constable
A:
These Smitty plate shoes feature a standard D width with generous fit. We find you should still order your traditional size and not size down.
– Ty Unthank Marketing Specialist, HS & College Umpire
Q:
How generous are we talking? I wear 12 4e and want to purchase these shoes since it matches my favorite style of the New Balance...but do not think it is generous enough? Thoughts? – Parker Shibuya
A:
As a generous D width fit, we mean between a D and 2E fit. If you are a 4E, these will not fit.
– Brandon Lawson Support Specialist, Pro Umpire School Graduate and Umpire, Football Official & Basketball Referee
Q:
Are the metatarsal guards on these shoes prone to tear away? I've had this problem with 3n2 and with New Balance plate shoes. Curiously, with only one shoe in each pair. – Dan Martin
A:
Experiences vary with the degree of usage and care.
– Ty Unthank Marketing Specialist, HS & College Umpire
Q:
How in the world do you lace these plate shoes?? I currently have an old pair of New Balance. – Lisa Dilullo
A:
Lace these shoes in a traditional crossing pattern, through the loop on the tongue to the top desired eyelets. Feed laces through the eyelets in the metatarsal plate, then securely tie the shoes.
– Brandon Lawson Support Specialist, Pro Umpire School Graduate and Umpire, Football Official & Basketball Referee
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.
