best catchers gear?

[mikedg22]

I've worn out my Easton catchers gear and am looking for a new set. I play wood bat, adult league baseball and would like to get the best set possible. In particular, I need the best ball deadening chest protector out there. Right now, I'm leaning towrds the TPX Pulse, as they claim to be the lightest protector. Any suggestions?

[Jake Patterson]

I've worn out my Easton catchers gear and am looking for a new set. I play wood bat, adult league baseball and would like to get the best set possible. In particular, I need the best ball deadening chest protector out there. Right now, I'm leaning towrds the TPX Pulse, as they claim to be the lightest protector. Any suggestions?

Ask CatchingCoach what he thinks. His catchers had a variety of equipment so I am certain he has a good basis for whatever opinion he may have.

[cubsphill]

if you can get ahold of the pro line nike gear, get it. they came out with a new line this year, it has grey on it, joe mauer and a few others use it.

i have the gear that some still use but its the old model
http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/71748735.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=08A1899B41887FDFBB22EB6F15844BC9

the way to tell the difference from the pro and the retail versions are the locations of the nike swoosh. on the chest protector, there is only one swoosh, and thats on middle of the chest. and on the leg guards there is only one swoosh also, on the middle knee cap (as you can see in the picture).

as for a mask/helmet, i use an all star hockey style mask because the traditional style is not legal in hs. but i do have the nike mask and helmet which i use in practice and such.

this gear is hard to find. i suggest searching ebay every few days, thats what i did. if you want, i can direct you to a seller that found me the red nike mask. he can also get you the other gear...

the difference from the retail chest protector and the pro one is the thickness of it. its extremely light weight and its made with nike's dri fit material. after a season of use, my chest protector doesnt stink like most will from excessive sweat. the leg guards are really nice too, dri fit material also and the most comfortable leg guards ive ever put on.

the nike gear price beats every other brand pretty much as well. this gear will cost you about $60 for the leg guards and $60 for the chest protector

[BallCoach06]

I spoke with a former professional catcher and current college catching coach this past winter and asked him about this same question.

His answer, was that he likes to find a chest protector that does not have the crease that runs down the middle. In his opinion, this fold can sometimes create a "V" shape in the middle of the chest and stomach area and makes blocking a little more difficult because the ball bounds off to the sides. He looks for protectors that are fairly flat and have creases that run horizontal.

Not sure if that stuff actually is true, but it made sense to me when he grabbed a Mizuno chest protector off the shelf and showed me what he was talking about.

He told me he likes Nike chest and leg guards and All-Star helmets.

So, based on that his info, Nike, Pro Nine, and some Rawlings aren't too bad. All-Star makes some nice stuff, but based on the above he did not like the chest protectors from All-Star and Easton as well.

Again, take this for what it is worth. It is one persons opinion, and I am sure there will be people who swear by All-Star or Easton, which are great products.

[Arnie#6]

while were still on subject, can anyone give me some info on mizuno's samurai gear? im thinking on purchasing it in my school colors.

[bbfreak8]

Is Ebay the only way to get the Nike ProLine gear. My team is the Dodgers and I noticed Martin wearing the stuff way early in the season and instantly liked it. Its pretty slick.

[cubsphill]

Is Ebay the only way to get the Nike ProLine gear. My team is the Dodgers and I noticed Martin wearing the stuff way early in the season and instantly liked it. Its pretty slick.

well, its very tough to find. ive only been able to find it on ebay online and ive searched all the stores around me and havent seen them there either.

[Arnie#6]

http://www.eastbay.com/catalog/productdetail/module--productDetail/action--view/sku--10050004/model_nbr--82011/supercat--home/cm--57831P/id--0/mvp--/

is that it?

[cubsphill]

http://www.eastbay.com/catalog/productdetail/module--productDetail/action--view/sku--10050004/model_nbr--82011/supercat--home/cm--57831P/id--0/mvp--/

is that it?


thats this years version. i was talking about the previous years'. most people dont like this year's because of the grey.

[bbfreak8]

Where would you get the pro style mask to go along with this gear?

[cubsphill]

players with the new nike gear use the same mask. and ive only been able to find it on ebay.

actually though, there is one difference in the mask, the newer ones have a silver frame. but the padding and strap is exactly the same.

[Arnie#6]

http://www.baseballsavings.com/customer/category/product.jsp?SUBCATEGORY_ID=4866

i think this is the retail version (2 swooshes)

[cubsphill]

http://www.baseballsavings.com/customer/category/product.jsp?SUBCATEGORY_ID=4866

i think this is the retail version (2 swooshes)

correct, like ive said, ive only found them on ebay after a couple of months searching online

[Arnie#6]

what is the real difference between the pro version and the retail?

[cubsphill]

what is the real difference between the pro version and the retail?



the retail chest protector is way too thin. the pro one absorbs impact better.

as for the leg guards, the pro ones have better thigh coverage and the straps are more durable