Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
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tim2000s

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Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« on: January 14, 2013, 09:20:35 AM »

Just reading the comments in the Gloves thread regarding D3O, and I wondered. Do we worry too much about the weight of our protective gear?

Would you prefer to pay more for very light protection or pay less to get the same level of protection, but a little heavier?
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Ciaran

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Re: Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2013, 09:29:55 AM »

Im actually torn on it.
I prefer the feel and suppleness of top range gloves. With that comes the added protection that you get with the higher end gloves.
However when I analyse it I dont play at a high enough level to need much more than a newspaper taped to my leg! Therefore lightness should be my primary concern when buying my equipment. Realistically if I was to buy some Ayrtek pads and gloves, I would buy the Elite out of vanity I think!However in reality I buy what I think looks nice and I love a gimmick!
I do own the D30 909 range, but in all honesty I think I prefer the SAF plain range that they make.
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The_Bird

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Re: Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2013, 09:41:53 AM »

i'll ask this, would you pick a crash helmet over the lightest strongest Ayrtek? the crash helmet would be far too cumbersome but provide ultimate protection for the job required. We require the lightest pads to give us better movement and flexibility whilst batting, so they are therefore more suited to the job as a lighter product in my opinion.

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fatbats

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Re: Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2013, 09:44:36 AM »

I prefer protection as would prefer to be safe rather than have light softs

Others may go other way but I suppose its horses for courses

The_Bird

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Re: Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2013, 09:47:12 AM »

I prefer protection as would prefer to be safe rather than have light softs

Others may go other way but I suppose its horses for courses

In an era when you can have both lightweight and high protection combined, there is no need for us to compromise.
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tim2000s

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Re: Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2013, 09:47:34 AM »

i'll ask this, would you pick a crash helmet over the lightest strongest Ayrtek? the crash helmet would be far too cumbersome but provide ultimate protection for the job required. We require the lightest pads to give us better movement and flexibility whilst batting, so they are therefore more suited to the job as a lighter product in my opinion.
But, and herein, you've missed the point, do you really need to fork out £90 for the lightest, best protection or would you be fine with forking out £45 for something that gives you enough protection, and costs a lot less?

The extreme position you have taken is a redundant argument, simply because you don't need that level of protection at any level of cricket. Even with those who have been hit through the grille of a Masuri or Albion, have they been killed?

In an era when you can have both lightweight and high protection combined, there is no need for us to compromise.
It is not a two argument question though. It is also about cost. The majority of cricketers, unlike most of the forumites, cannot and do not afford to pay loads for the best.

Compromise comes either in weight, protection or money available to pay for it...
« Last Edit: January 14, 2013, 09:52:05 AM by tim2000s »
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Red Ink Cricket

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Re: Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2013, 09:51:25 AM »

You have to look for a healthy balance i think. There is no point having ultra lightweight pads that offer little protection or high protection which is heavy. Excluding the Ultralite morrant style pads and the modern pads(puma style etc) i think most of the traditional pads probably weigh very similar. Unless a pad is particularly heavy or bulky do you really notice the difference? in certain sports weight matters - extra weight on a F1 car will affect its performance to .0010 of a second or something silly but will 100g extra on a batsmans pads really slow him down that much that we could actually measure or notice? do our legs notice a difference when we wear shorts or jeans? probably not
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The_Bird

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Re: Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2013, 09:51:57 AM »

but you can get light and highly protective pads for way less than £90 so the argument as a whole is redundant. if you asked this question in the early 90's then yes maybe but technology is at a level where it doesnt matter. The fact the D30 isnt really that groundbreaking proves that people can get cheaper, better alternatives anyway.
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Ciaran

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Re: Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2013, 09:52:11 AM »

Its a vanity thing for us! Does your average village cricketer buy top of the range? No. We do, as we obviously all have the desire to have the best we can afford!
Out of interest Tim, what softs do you have?
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tim2000s

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Re: Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2013, 09:52:47 AM »

but you can get light and highly protective pads for way less than £90 so the argument as a whole is redundant. if you asked this question in the early 90's then yes maybe but technology is at a level where it doesnt matter. The fact the D30 isnt really that groundbreaking proves that people can get cheaper, better alternatives anyway.
I'd argue that for your average club cricket, £90 is a lot...
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Ciaran

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Re: Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2013, 09:53:15 AM »

but will 100g extra on a batsmans pads really slow him down that much that we could actually measure or notice? Probably not

Not when most of us are a good 1/2 stone plus over weight!
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tim2000s

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Re: Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« Reply #11 on: January 14, 2013, 09:54:42 AM »

Its a vanity thing for us! Does your average village cricketer buy top of the range? No. We do, as we obviously all have the desire to have the best we can afford!
Out of interest Tim, what softs do you have?
I have two pairs of pads that I have bought in sales. £35 GM 909 D3O pads and £40 Puma Pulse 6000s from PDC. Gloves I have also bought all three pairs in sales. GM Original LEs, Newbery SPS and SAF, again nothing cost more than £35. I will never pay £90 for a pair of pads or gloves.
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Ciaran

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Re: Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« Reply #12 on: January 14, 2013, 09:59:28 AM »

I have two pairs of pads that I have bought in sales. £35 GM 909 D3O pads and £40 Puma Pulse 6000s from PDC. Gloves I have also bought all three pairs in sales. GM Original LEs, Newbery SPS and SAF, again nothing cost more than £35. I will never pay £90 for a pair of pads or gloves.

Mine wasnt meant as a criticism, as actually my current pads, i bought from the sports direct outlet near mansfield, D30 909's for £5! My 909 gloves £8 from the same sale as both had slight faults, ie the strap on the pads had one piece of the strap coming off (easy fix) and the gloves had a stitching fault on the logo.
I also have the SAF gloves, which offer the best protection and comfort out of everything. My total soft outlay is around £45 so its not too bad
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The_Bird

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Re: Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2013, 10:00:34 AM »

I'd argue that for your average club cricket, £90 is a lot...

I agree, i know club cricketers wont pay that, i didnt say they would........ ???

 if you look at the generic newbery sps style softs that are very similar across alot of brands, You can get identical pads to sps by a different brand for £40 less, as they have a different label. like H4L softs for example, so my point was there is no need to compromise as there are better cheaper alternatives to D30.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2013, 10:03:54 AM by The_Bird »
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Ciaran

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Re: Weight versus Protection - do we overthink it?
« Reply #14 on: January 14, 2013, 10:09:01 AM »

You seem to be highlighting D30 as the topic. Its not!
It seems more to me that are we over thinking the protection we get? Are we buying the top of the range gloves and pads for situations we will never face? Most of us will never face test level speed!
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