Updating Catching Gear: I Have reviews on Helmets with specs.

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JRG

Aug 2, 2017
17
3
Hi all,
Thought I could contribute some information...My DD has drastically outgrown her Diamond ix3 catchers gear and really needs larger stuff ASAP. Where we live there are really zero stores to try on equipment so I had two shipped to compare and will ship back what she does not like/fit. I narrowed my choices on the helmets based on reviews and customer feedback.

Helmets reviewed: Schutt, Diamond (this is her existing old helmet), All-Star

Anyone who has ever wondered what some of the differences are in helmets, I can provide some feedback. Oh, I also have a scale leftover from the pinewood derby with my son so I also have helmet weights to provide for anyone interested.

Old helmet Diamond ix3 (I am told the new Diamond ix5 is identical so you should expect all aspects to be similar to the ix3)
Diamond ix3 size Small: Fit is very true to what head it says it should fit.
Weight: 36 ounces: Ridiculously feather light. Most enjoyable to wear!
Field of Vision: Poor. This one provides the least amount of peripheral vision (side to side) as well as vision above your head.
Quality: Very well made. Has lasted her many years. Foam on the ix3 is not replaceable in the helmet, but it has lasted well. Chin pad is replaceable but has lasted as well. Snaps are super strong and sturdy. Note: the newer ix5 has replaceable helmet padding.
Summary: High quality helmet, that is super light but offers the worst field of vision.

New Helmets we are trying:
All-Star MVP 2500 series. Size large. (this helmet fits very large and is too big for her and we would have to go down to a small. Helmet runs large so keep that in mind.
Weight: 44.5 ounces. This was the medium weight helmet of the three.
Field of Vision: Descent. This one was better than the Diamond ix3. The peripheral vision (side to side) was excellent and on par with the Schutt. But sight above the head is hindered.
Quality: All padding inside including the chin is replaceable. Buckles are all metal and well made. Very comfortable to wear.
Summary: High quality helmet, that runs a little big on the sizing and it has overall descent field of vision. Good peripheral vision and just okay above the head vision.

Schutt Air Maxx 2966 series:
Size: one size fits all. Found it to be very adjustable and fits very well.
Weight: 46.5 ounces. The is the heavyweight of all 3 helmets. It is heavy but my daughter says she does not mind.
Field of Vision: out of control good!!! Best peripheral vision and the best vision above your head. It easily provides 25 degrees more field of vision over your head than even the All-Star.
Quality: Very good. All padding is removable including the chin and the padding inside the helmet is the same type of padding used in their football helmets. My one issue are the snaps. The part attached to the helmet are metal but the buckles including the female side of the snap is plastic. There is no doubt in my mind that if you pull apart these snaps too many times it will eventually stretch out and stop snapping tight...but that is just my opinion.

Which one will we keep?
The Schutt.
Very good protection
Fits well and very adjustable
Outstanding field of vision. You can see everything with this.
Buckles? I'm trying to find metal replacements or at least order a set of OEM plastic replacements in preparation for if and when they go bad.

Hope this information helps someone else looking to buy a new helmet.
 
Feb 19, 2016
280
28
Texas
Thanks for the post. There are a lot of folks lost in the fog of the fading Shock FX2 availability that will be looking for new helmets.

At this rate we could put together a helmet weight database.
From my measurements earlier....
Wilson Pro Stock 34.3 ounces
Wilson Shock FX2 41.9 ounces
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Very good info and review!! Thanks, JRG.

Recently, we needed to replace my DD's Wilson FX (S/M). Our first try was the larger size FX, but it was too big. Next was the All-Star, but the way it sat on her head put the horizontal bar below the eyes too much in her field of vision. She didn't like the fit of the new Rawlings helmet at all. She ended up with an Easton M10. She said it's the most comfortable helmet she's had (M10 has extra padding that the "softball" M7 does not).
 
Feb 19, 2016
280
28
Texas
Very good info and review!! Thanks, JRG.

Recently, we needed to replace my DD's Wilson FX (S/M). Our first try was the larger size FX, but it was too big. Next was the All-Star, but the way it sat on her head put the horizontal bar below the eyes too much in her field of vision. She didn't like the fit of the new Rawlings helmet at all. She ended up with an Easton M10. She said it's the most comfortable helmet she's had (M10 has extra padding that the "softball" M7 does not).

The Large FX is definitely larger. It rattled around on DD's noggin like a bobble head.
 
Apr 5, 2013
2,130
83
Back on the dirt...
Im really surprised that is all the schutte weighed. It fit DD the best of all we have tried (Rawlings, Schutte, All star, mizuno) but its also the heaviest! Its a brick and it feels like its all in the mask, too. Currently has a 2 year old Wilson Shock FX.
 
Feb 19, 2016
280
28
Texas
DD's teammate had a mask, LS, that just felt unbalanced. It felt like too much of the weight was up front in the cage. The FX2 DD was used to was probably actually heavier overall, but it felt more balanced. So the distribution of weight might affect the overall weighty feel to a helmet while wearing it.
 
Sep 29, 2010
1,082
83
Knoxville, TN
DD has worn a LS helmet since she was 9. She just turned 16 and still wears the LS intermediate mask. We have tried Allstar, Mako and Wilson and none of the chin pads on these are firm against her chin. Have to buy the whole set now to get the helmet! Wondering what helmet dd's with smaller heads are using. Got a never used black Allstar youth if anybody is looking.
 

JRG

Aug 2, 2017
17
3
Im really surprised that is all the schutte weighed. It fit DD the best of all we have tried (Rawlings, Schutte, All star, mizuno) but its also the heaviest! Its a brick and it feels like its all in the mask, too. Currently has a 2 year old Wilson Shock FX.

Yeah, the Schutt weighed just a bit more than the All-Star but it felt much heavier. It is clearly the "tank" out of the 3 helmets. The All-Star was very well balanced and very comfortable but just way too big in a large for my daughter. She said she really didn't notice or care how much the Schutt weighed, she just liked the outward vision from the helmet. She says it was much better than the All-Star and worlds better than her old Diamond ix3.
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
DD has the Schutt Air Maxx as well. The protection due to the integration of the football inspired protective padding is unparalleled IMO. I wouldn't worry about the snaps though. DD played a HS season, a season and a half of TB and is now using it for her first college season and she's had Zero problem with them.
 

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