Umpires take almost as much abuse from foul tips and pitches in the dirt as catchers. It is important for them to find the best umpire mask to safeguard their face and neck.
Standing behind the catcher and taking foul tips off of pitches 85+ MPH can be dangerous. That’s why we judge our best umpire masks on four main criteria; protection, comfort, weight and vision.
Protection
The main objective of an umpire’s mask is to protect your head from trauma. Umpire masks are created with padding for the forehead, cheeks and chin, cages that protect the face, and extended neck guards. Some come with shock suspension systems and memory foam.
Comfort
Standing behind the plate for seven-to-nine innings of ball in the blistering summer heat will ensure you want the most comfortable umpire mask. Some features that add to the comfort are lightweight aluminum, moisture-wicking pads and memory foam.
Weight
Finding umpire masks that utilize lightweight padding and cages will save you from a sore neck at the end of a game.
Vision
An umpire must have increased vision behind the plate to call balls and strikes. Find an umpire mask that sits closer to your face, has smaller bars, and gives you better perceptual vision.
Baseball Tools Top-Ranked Umpire Masks:
Best Umpire Mask
Highlights
- Cage: Aluminum
- Pad Material: Memory Foam
Reasons to Buy
✅ Ultra Lightweight
✅ Takes shock like no other mask
✅ Very comfortable
Reasons Not to Buy
❌ Users recommending purchasing a throat protector
Sample buyer review: “Two years after purchasing this mask it is still as comfortable as it was new. Babe Ruth to college summer baseball, youth to college softball,the padding takes the shock and doesn’t jolt the brain housing group. Excellent mask! Highly recommend to all my fellow “blues”!” Read more reviews from Amazon.com
Also Great
Highlights
- Cage: Steel, Rubber-Dipped
- Pad Material: Absorbent Synthetic Inner, Polyurethane Leather Outer
Reasons to Buy
✅ Lightweight
✅ Best bang for your buck
✅ Added protection with steel cage
Reasons Not to Buy
❌ Some users state that it is heavier than anticipated
Sample buyer review: “I’ve been using this mask for a few weeks now and have taken some pretty hard direct hits. The mask really absorbs contact well. I am very comfortable hanging in and focusing on the pitch without having to worry about being hurt by a ball fouled back to my face. It is a little warmer than some of the lighter, less-padded masks, but for protection and safety I love it.” Read more reviews from Amazon.com
Upgrade Pick
Highlights
- Cage: Chrome Alloy
- Pad Material: Four different high-impact foam padding construction with special memory comfort foam on chin and sides
Reasons to Buy
✅ Shock Suspension System
✅ High-Impact Foam Padding
✅ Lightweight construction
Reasons Not to Buy
❌ Professional-quality not needed by youth or volunteer umps
Budget Pick
Highlights
- Cage: Solid Wire
- Pad Material: Simulated Leather Pad Covering
Reasons to Buy
✅ Durable
✅ Great vision
Reasons Not to Buy
❌ Most users noted how heavy this mask
❌ Neck strain
Sample buyer review: “I umpire high level Travel Softball and high school baseball. At the height of the season I’m umping 9 games a week sometimes. This mask is a little heavy for a beginner umpire. It’s solid as a rock and can take serious 90 mph fast balls but it’s a heavy mask. I did have to get a light weight professional mask but I still use this mask for a back-up. I’m sure a catcher can use this mask for every game without any issues because your neck gets a rest between innings. Umpires, however, have to wear this mask the whole game I would suggest getting a mask that is not as heavy. Sooner or later your neck muscles will get used to this mask but why go though the nick pain while your muscles get stronger.” Read more reviews from Amazon.com
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