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First things first. I want to give a big thanks to the officiating community at large for rallying around the 2010 launch of our Reaction Pro Plate Umpire Shoe. We truly appreciate your support as well as the continued, and often pointed, feedback that has made the Reaction one of our most well received product lines ever. I’ve just been told by our good friend Dennis Mader – the Supervisor of Officials for the NPF – that many of the NPF officials who worked NCAA post season play wore the Reaction Pro Plate and Reaction Base Shoe and that they “love them.” Great to hear, guys.
Many of you have asked what separates the 3N2 Reaction line of officiating shoes from other brands? It boils down to price, function, weight and comfort. You will find the Reaction line is very competitively priced and uses the existing proprietary last and midsole technology that is found in our successful Turf Line. These proven technologies reduce stress on the knees, joints and back and allow you to officiate multiple games over a day or weekend without feeling the aches and pains associated with other footwear brands.
The weight and function of our officiating shoes are two sides of the same coin. Our Reaction footwear is by far the lightest on the market. How do we do this? It’s not by reducing function and protection. It really comes down to modern technology. For years, a steel-toe plate was the only option for industrial, military, police/fire services and behind-the-plate umpires. Steel toes result in a much heavier shoe that can provide a great deal of discomfort as – no surprise here – there is a piece of steel wrapped around your toe.
Modern advancements in protective technology have enabled 3N2 to provide a composite carbon fiber toe and plate that provides the needed protection for umpires without the extra weight, foot rub and pain associated with a steel toe.
Although we’ve had a lot of tremendously good input on the Reaction Pro Plate, I understand that there are those who question our use of carbon fiber. I completely understand the concern. Steel toes have been in use for many, many years and still serve a purpose in very specialized fields. However, that purpose no longer involves the ball field.
The truth is that today steel is really only necessary for industrial jobs involving heavy moving objects or machinery. Today’s advanced carbon fiber composite materials provide far more protection than you’ll ever need behind the plate, while being infinitely lighter and more comfortable than steel. The proprietary carbon toe and plate we’ve developed for the Reaction is fashioned from a material that is basically identical to that of our factory partner, which produces footwear for the FBI, Police, Fire and Military services. Their material rates at ASTMF 2413.05. In addition to a superior strength to weight ratio, carbon fiber also provides added protection from electrical hazards.
If you love steel toe shoes and/or are OK with the added weight and discomfort, I say stick with them. There is no questioning the toughness of steel. However, unless a piece of airplane engine falls from the sky and onto your foot, a steel toe isn’t going to do anything more for you on the ball field than today’s modern carbon fiber composites.
Funny story. I’m a serious stickler for testing. For our products, I require that we meet all protection related standards and the Reaction goes through a battery of official and rigorous crush and impact tests, such as the vice test. To take it one step further, we undertook and documented our own in-house test as well. Let’s call it the “Jackass” test. We asked for volunteers among the 3N2 staff to put on a pair of Reaction Pro Plates and let one of our 200 pound office brutes wearing Pro Metal Baseball Spikes jump from a ledge spike first on to the carbon toe of the Reaction. The result?
Partial amputation and workers comp claims?
Not at all. Volunteers reported what we knew would be the case. There was virtually no pressure from the direct impact of the cleat on the toe. I hope to pop up a video showing our “Jackass” Reaction test soon. No interns were injured during the filming of the test and please, please do not try it at home!
What’s the bottom line? The carbon composite protective toe technology in our Reaction Plate Umpire Shoe provides above-and-beyond protection for officials, without the weight and discomfort of an outdated steel toe.
So, if you’re a baseball or softball official struggling with steel toe shoes, you should really give the Reaction Pro Plate a look. The carbon fiber Reaction Pro Plate is likely less expensive, more comfortable and just as protective as those steel toe dinosaurs.
You can learn more about the Reaction Pro Plate Umpire Shoe on our website which will also be available in a Mid Cut and EE width in 2011.
Kudos for using modern materials. Now you need to work in the aesthetics, as these are just as ugly as the New Balance shoes. (Actually, they look like they came out of the same Chinese factory). Consider the classic +POS low tops, and the Gerry Davis patent leather models as something to shoot for. You have the function, you now need the form.
I like my NB and Reeboks, but would like something good looking, which neither of them are.
Kyle,
You are right. It is hard to find a sharp looking Umpire Shoe and, as you know, design is relative. Throughout the years we have learned that no design pleases everyone and that for umpire shoes function often trumps form.
Both the POS and the Gerry Davis you mention are nice looking kicks. I have to point out that they retail at about $30-$40 more than the 3N2 umpire shoes but also have many design lines and leather cuts that allow for dirt build up which makes it more difficult to polish and clean.
One thing we learned from our loyal umpire community is that being able to clean the shoes easily is a very important attribute for an umpire shoe. When you design a shoe for premium function there are certain restrictions we have on the overall shoe design.
What you will see in our new Reaction Flat Bottom Referee shoe is that we have broken the bounds of the traditional clunky midsole and outsole and developed a non-marking outsole that is made to reduce the stress on the joints and back and made to run…It is definitely a more design-forward referee shoe, while maintaining optimum functionality.
It remains our goal to marry form and function in 3N2 products and as footwear technologies and materials evolve, we continue to get closer to the point where form and function will become synonymous.
Thanks again for your honest insight.
The Pro-plate is a great shoe. Light weight, comfortable, and good looking. I’ve been umpiring and coaching for more than 30 years while also running marketing and sales organizations for business solution software companies. Ump mostly high school baseball, fast-pitch and youth ball – have done some college.
Have owned and worn out just about every shoe you can think of. Some plate shoes were industrial work shoes altered to have a metatarsal support affixed. Heavy and uncomfortable. Some of the new stuff from major shoe manufacturers have excessively large irritating logos while remaining heavy like a steel-toe work boot.
Glad to see the Pro-Plate will be introduced in a high top. Offering a size 12.5 was good, and I recommend strongly to order a size 1/2 to 1 size larger than your true size.
Ralph,
We appreciate your candid review of our Reaction Pro Plate. Your 30 years of umpiring experience certainly gives you a deep and wide perspective.
Listening to the positives and negatives from professionals like yourself have really made our officiating line what it is today. We are continually trying to improve our product so we appreciate not only hearing about areas where we can improve, but also what you you think we are doing right.
Thanks again for the post! Hope to see you in the Mid Cut next year!
Sean, just ordered the 3N2 polo shirt! Can’t wait to get that silky smooth garment on my back!
Lee B
Lee,
Silky smooth. We should add that to the product description.
This will not help shave strokes off your golf game but I hope you enjoy the look and feel of the Polo. Please provide us a product review when you have a chance. Thanks for trying us out!
Thanks,
Sean
Live in North Carolina, where can i find this shoe here. asked all ump friends in N.C. nobody knows or have not heard of it. shoe really looks good, need to find one in N.C.
Mike,
I am not sure where you live in North Carolina but All Pro Athletics in Charlotte, N.C. carries our Reaction line. You can also check out the dealer locator on the main 3N2 website and enter your zip code to find a local dealer in your area.
Thanks,
Sean
I just finished our leagues fall ball season and I wore the 3N2 plate shoes for 10 games and they are lightest plate plate that I have ever worn over 30 years of umpiring.
At first I did not like the style on the top but I got used to it and it does not even bother me any longer.
Also the price was mush lower that any plate shoe that I have purchased and used working the plate.
I would like to see the tounge a little longer.
Since I liked the umpire plate shoe I purchased 4 pair of the LO pro turf trainer shoes in 4 different colors.
I purchased a pair of your 3N2 plate shoes and really liked them. I have been umpiring softball for over 25 years and they are probably the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. The problem I have is that the sole of the shoe at the front is coming loose from the body of the shoe. Please advise what I should do. I had to use shoe glue to keep it from coming apart totaly. It is the only pair I currently have and use them a lot since I live in AZ.
Lester,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the Plate Shoe. We are truly sorry for the troubles you have been having with the bonding of the midsole and outsole bonding. It sounds like a factory defect but please send us further information so we can process a return for you and forward this information to our factory development team.
To process a return, you can access our online “EASY RETURNS” form at the following URL address:
http://www.3n2sports.com/cs-returnex.aspx
Thank you for your patronage and we look forward to getting your problem resolved expeditiously.
Sean