What I don't understand is that while every manufacturer claims to have a lightweight mask in their arsenal, they almost never share upfront how much it weighs. To solve the mystery, we simply purchase samples and weigh them ourselves.One example is a particular single-bar mask from a company called Champion Sports they refer to as their "Ultra-lightweight" mask for what looked like an excellent price. Our interest was now sparked for 2 reasons: weight and price. So, we ordered a sample and weighed it. The result? The mask weighed almost 2 pounds! "Ultra" lightweight? Not even close. "Light" weight? I don't think so.
Now if you've been around us long enough, you know we list the weights of all our umpire masks and more. We even have a page where we list a comparison weight and features chart (see bottom of the linked page). But most other retailers don't list the weights of their umpire masks labeled as "lightweight", "ultra-lightweight", "feather-weight" or other.
So, how do you as a customer know which lightweight mask is truly lightweight from one retailer to the next? Well, the bad news is you can't know, that is unless the weights are listed or unless you're trying them on locally.
It's the same way you don't really know how low in fat some food product is unless you read the label. And when it comes to umpire masks, most manufacturers and retailers don't have a label.
Common sense tells me that if a manufacturer or retailer has a truly lightweight umpire mask, you're going to want to shout from the mountaintops just how light it is by sharing the actual weight. If you just call it a lightweight mask without listing the weight, my logic continues that while it's probably lightweight compared to a welder's or astronaut's helmet, it's probably not lightweight at all relatively to other umpire masks.
Would love to hear your thoughts on your "lightweight" mask or your buying experiences related to them.
2 comments:
I believe there has to be a point of diminishing returns on these lightweight masks. I started with a +POS double bar mask. I was always comfortable with it and never thought about the weight. This year I replaced that mask with the Wilson Dyna-Lite Mask (From Ump-Attire of course). Yes, it is lighter, but had I not held each in my hand directly comparing, I would not know.
At what point will there start to be a sacrifice on safety as the weight continues to go down?
Warren
Umpire-Empire
Warren, excellent point and good hearing from you. Baseball season is right around the corner.
I don't know how much lighter we can go than where we are right now given the limitations of things. I mean how lighter can go than titanium or hollow core steel.
For instance, you could take out half the stuffing of any mask to make it lighter, but it will make it less safe. Or you could make the frame out of maple wood which would do the trick but also to bad effects.
Continued good job with your website discussion board. For others reading this, Warren has a website where he posts product reviews, writes articles and hosts a discussion board at Umpire-Empire.
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