Official Reviews
August 6, 2024 Verified Purchase
I wanted a lower profile hardshell and chose this over the Force3 because it was less expensive and I wanted the hardshell on the outside. I'm 5'6", 145 lbs and this protects me well without making me super bulky. I removed the bottom extension the oblique wings and extra shoulder protection to make it as slim as possible. Players in adult league have asked me in surprise if I am well protected with how low profile this looks and I am. I have taken direct fouls back to the chest and shoulder and have felt nothing. If you are a shorter, smaller umpire this is a great choice. Also the inside pads are easy to clean. I throw mine in the washer on the delicate cycle (I do not know if this is recommend but I do it) and then I let them dry at room temperature. I love this chest protector and I could not be any happier with my purchase.
June 6, 2024 Verified Purchase
Purchased a West Vest memory foam low profile first. Tried it on at home and just felt bulky and uncomfortable. Could not get used to it no matter what I did. Returned it and ordered the All-Star Cobalt. Fit was nice and it felt great. Removed the extension as I am only 5ft 10. What a difference! Am very happy with it!
March 19, 2024 Verified Purchase
Extremely lightweight!! I love it. I feel safe when I put it on. The only drawback to me is the harness is kinda on the small side. But once I adjusted it, it felt great.
January 8, 2024 Verified Purchase
Very low-profile chest piece but still amazing protection. I ordered this after I returned my AMT Champro and I’m glad I made that decision! Easy to get your shirt over the top of the chest protector, super light-weight, and very clean matte black design compared to the glossy finish you see on other chest protectors. You will see the quality and protection of spending the money to get a nicer chest piece.
September 29, 2023
Love this chest protector. Light weight and keeps you cool. Took two foul tip shots off the chest in a row and didn’t feel anything.
August 24, 2023 Verified Purchase
Low profile, super customizable, and over all a great umpire chest protector!
March 18, 2023 Verified Purchase
The chest protector is lightweight and you can't feel anything when hit. I love it.
February 23, 2023 Verified Purchase
This was the perfect CP for me. Lightweight, adjustable (important for a woman who is shorter), and lower profile, so I don’t look like a Transformer behind the plate. It is stiff at first but I am looking forward to it starting to soften up and mold to my body over time.
February 21, 2023 Verified Purchase
Misleading with the size/levels because it doesn't fit men that are 6 foot and over with broad shoulders even with adjustments. You get the same bad results. The shoulders padding is facing front and close to under arm area. When adjusting it, the whole chest protector moves up to your neck and also gives strict movements like you trying on a toddler-size shirt. For highly-priced, you expected to do as it was described in detail. This chest protector is made for shorter and slimmer peeps.
August 21, 2022 Verified Purchase
Working on this one now. Wearing it around the house a little at a time with a plate shirt and tucked in. Typical "in house" w/out live games break in period.
Looking forward to using it for real.
July 29, 2022 Verified Purchase
I also own a Force3 and a Wilson West Vest, but the All-Star Cobalt is my favorite. I feel on my body type (5’10” 200 lbs) it fits me as low profile as the Force3 while being as protective as the West Vest. Super customizable but requires tools (don’t lose the hardware!), still only took me 10 minutes to remove the lower extension and re-position the shoulder caps. My only complaint is it traps more heat than it should, but that is mostly balanced-out by being so lightweight and low-profile. Overall great job by All-Star!
July 20, 2022 Verified Purchase
Excellent umpire chest protector. Wore it straight out of the box (after adjusting the straps of course). Good fit, solid protection. I've now taken off the lower pad and extra shoulder plate. Waiting to see how that feels. Definitely worth the $$$.
July 8, 2022 Verified Purchase
This is a great umpire chest protector. I have taken 70 mph fastballs off it and barely feel anything. The comfort and adjustability is also great as well. I honestly have no complaints with this chest protector. All-Star makes great products.
May 6, 2022 Verified Purchase
Great Fit, comfortable, light weight...I'm confident with it.
April 21, 2022
I was lucky enough to get this second-hand off another umpire who purchased this from Ump-Attire.com. He shipped it to me in the Ump-Attire.com box it came in. I have to say, this is by far the best umpire chest protector I have used to date. It fits tight. It breathes. I can move it. I don't look like a linebacker like I did with my Wilson West Vest Platinum. It covers more area. I am 5'8", 235 lbs and this feels like a second skin.
April 21, 2022 Verified Purchase
Best chest protector I have had as a umpire. Really comfortable and very solid. You can’t hardly feel when you get struck with a baseball. All around great chest protector.
March 21, 2022 Verified Purchase
I am a big guy, wear a 3x or 4x shirt. This chest protector was too tight on my neck. I liked everything else but it wouldn’t fit my neck.
November 26, 2021 Verified Purchase
Great chest protector. It feels robust from the thick padding to the plating without being bulky. This CP provides the best side protection I’ve seen with a slight wrap around due to the plating breaks. I love that it can be cleaned.
November 11, 2021 Verified Purchase
This protector is all flash and no substance! I've already lost a screw and they don't have replacements. It's been over a year so I can't return it. Overpriced. Get the West Vest instead for better protection and a product that will last!
July 8, 2021 Verified Purchase
High school game. Took one last night straight back just below the mask throat protector. POW! Easily 85-90 mph off the bat, dead center body mass. It was loud. Decent size crowd gasped and then went "Ooooh". Everyone froze. Ball went half way back to the pitcher. Catcher grabs it and runs to the pitcher saying, "You ok André", I smiled. Both teams coaches come towards me as does my partner out the B. I FELT NOTHING. They looked puzzled and expected injury. Game changer did its job. All-Star Cobalt is the best chest protector on the market. Very comfortable and it is customizable to your needs and body.
May 17, 2021 Verified Purchase
UPDATE - After taking three direct hits this past weekend from 14 Major and 13 AAA age groups, I personally will not be wearing this for this level of play or higher. I will only be wearing it for competitive youth age levels of 12 and under. Yes, it is a very comfortable and lean chest protector. I am 5'10' 170, and it fits well to my frame, but the body shots I took this past weekend were significantly felt throughout my upper core area. I would recommend some added protection in the core area of the chest protector. I personally will not be wearing this for high school level of play.
May 11, 2021 Verified Purchase
Really like being able to remove bottom plate and shoulder plates if I want to. Also like the idea of being able to remove the chest pads to wash them. It’s well ventilated gives a little cooling although I haven’t used it yet on a 95 degree Alabama Saturday afternoon! Haven’t taken a good shot yet but I feel real comfortable behind the plate with it on.
May 9, 2021 Verified Purchase
I have purchased many chest protectors trying to find the perfect combination of protection with the slimmest fit possible. The All-Star Cobalt Chest Protector has provided me with exactly what I’ve been looking for. The Cobalt chest protector provides the protection equal to the Wilson West Vest or the Force3 while providing a slim look that matches anything on the market. This chest protector is the ideal protector I’ve been looking for. Thanks.
April 30, 2021 Verified Purchase
This protector is all that it promises. The price is high, however, you get all of the bells and whistles that you would want if you were designing your own. The removable padding is nice for cleaning, and being able to take off plates and pieces to give you a minimalist look is what makes this one beat out all the others.
April 21, 2021 Verified Purchase
Four weeks after purchase took a foul ball right off the color bone pad. What would have been a season-ending (not to mention horribly painful) injury with my old protector was almost nothing. Worth every penny - and then some!
April 20, 2021 Verified Purchase
The Cobalt umpire chest protector is definitely a sight to see. I got it to fit just how I like it. Had to adjust the vest so many times but I finally got it right. At first, the shoulder cap's didn't fit how I wanted it to they were too short. Took a couple things off added some of my pieces on and I love it now.
April 16, 2021 Verified Purchase
This is the first umpire chest protector that I have bought in almost 20 years. Boy has the technology changed. This Cobalt chest protector is so much better. It is slimmer, slighter, and the fit is better suited. It is also nice that there are 2 screws in the front to allow the bottom plate to be removable. The slimmer style is also super nice so when you bend over, it doesn't come up and pinch you in the throat. It also doesn't give you that bulky style or feeling on the field. The straps and clips seem to bit better then the previous designs and metal turn style brackets.
April 8, 2021 Verified Purchase
This is a great umpire chest protector! Lightweight and stays in place. The pre-curved shoulders definitely help keep this protector in place along with the comfortable DeltaFlex harness. I removed the extension and the shoulder gap caps for a nice low profile look. Haven't taken a good shot to the protector yet, but I feel confident that it will do the job under fire. Very impressed so far!
April 6, 2021 Verified Purchase
Awesome Chest Protector. I really like the low profile it gives me and the protection is outstanding. My co-officials really like it too and seriously thinking about purchasing one themselves. Thank you guys again!!!
March 15, 2021 Verified Purchase
Out of the box I really was surprised at the fit. I have taken a few shots and unfazed. I have a couple things that I think need improvement. 1) The straps where they connect to the buckle. 2) The extension plate seems to be rigid in the center. Just take it off and you have an outstanding umpire chest protector.
March 3, 2021
Game Tested - Umpire Approved! The Cobalt Chest Protector is everything I was looking for in replacing my All-Star System 7 predecessor. Much lower profile under my shirt and giving off a sleek athletic appearance (which is definitely not ALL me). At one point during the first game I had to remember I had a chest protector on it was so lightweight and hardly noticeable. The shoulder caps molded over top on the first wear and fits fabulously! My favorite part though was being able to zip balls on a solid line back to the pitchers when needed, something that was hindered before. Overall, amazed how the hype truly lived up to this rig.
February 4, 2021 Verified Purchase
Right out of the box!!!!! If you are a small frame umpire like me and looking for a real low profile chest protector, this is the one!!! I am 5' 4" 140 pounds guy. I have tried many umpire chest protectors, including the Wilson Gold. Obviously, I looked like a NFL linebacker. I loved the protection, but hated the look. I was a little worry, I was going to spend more money and not look the way a professional should. To my surprise, the new All-Star Cobalt umpire chest protector fitted perfectly after taking (very easily) the extension off. It feels very light and looks awesome. I am very happy with the purchase and will recommend it to all of my fellow umpires.
January 23, 2021
Only giving 4.5 stars because I haven't actually used it in a game yet. Overall impressions:1) Incredibly adjustable 2) Super professional look and profile 3) Robust yet thin! Check out my comparison video: https://youtu.be/6Yp1qeF5fKI Awesome umpire chest protector. Can't wait to use it in a game!
December 30, 2020 Verified Purchase
Excellent quality. Easy to adjust based on the user's needs. Only felt the impact of a baseball, with good coverage. Being average size, I removed the middle shoulder cap. Kept the extension, but it doesn't look bulky and doesn't noticeably add to the weight.
November 2, 2020 Verified Purchase
Just received the Cobalt chest protector. I have enjoyed trying different configurations. I am still looking for the perfect fit. I have a long torso so the extension looks promising. I saw some hacks about moving the buckle to the extension. I will try adding a second buckle and let you know. It looks to be a quality product. Lightweight. Should be great for those hot Louisiana summers. I am able to modify the shoulders to fit my wide frame.
October 6, 2020 Verified Purchase
I think the Cobalt combines the best features of the Gold, Platinum, System 7, and even the Holy Grail of the Power. Then adds padding that they actually put a lot of thought and testing into. Add to that the adjustability of it, and you have a giant leap forward in our protection.
October 5, 2020 Verified Purchase
I have used just many different chest protectors over the years. Original Douglass WV, Gold, Platinum, Honig's K1, F3, Diamond hardshell, All-Star System 7, and even my current favorite Champion P215. All very good chest protectors in their own right. I have followed and anticipated this All-Star Cobalt for some time now. After watching the webcast a month or so ago, and understanding the R&D that went into this chest protector, I had to give it a try. I was not disappointed. The low profile look, the ability to customize to my liking as well as the quality, have me looking forward to the first game I can use it; I live in California currently. I have played around with different adjustments and I do have this rig now dialed in to fit like a comfortable glove. Thanks Ump-Attire.com for the solid service as well as taking the time to provide the webcast with All-Star. It really did help me make up my mind.
September 22, 2020 Verified Purchase
Wanted to give this 5 Stars, but can’t. The lower abdomen extension has these unremovable protruding (and unnecessary) Love Handle wings that stick out, look weird, and catch my forearms. The center part of the lower abdominal extension is perfect, as is the rest of the chest protector. It’s light on the body, facilitates movement, breathes well, is easy to adjust, fits snuggly, is low profile for a hard shell, is comfortable, is easy to put on, and gives “Didn’t even feel it!” protection for hard shots to the body. If they fixed those annoying love handle wings, I’d give this 6 stars if I could, the rest of this protector is that good.
September 17, 2020 Verified Purchase
This All-Star Cobalt chest protector is the one. I have used their products and my boys have for over 20 years and they keep getting better. The All-Star Series 7 chest protector was one of the best-designed ones, that they made when they first came out. I had one of the first ones because Jim Kirk and his staff at Ump-Attire.com care for their officials. This new Cobalt chest protector is even better. With insights from professional and amateur umpires and Jim Kirk and his staff, All-Star added comfort, protection, ventilation channels, and reduced weight, which are keys in the hot sun or long days umpiring. I love the design and how snugly it fits and yet allows great movement. Can't wait to get nailed by high-velocity pitches and up and coming pitchers.
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Join us Thursday, August 27th at 8:00 PM ET for a live episode of The Dish. Get an in-depth look into All-Star's new line of Cobalt Umpire Gear featuring Stan Jurga, Matt Arcovio and Jim Kirk.