Is Nike Catchers Gear The Best?

Almost everyone has heard of the brand Nike before, even if it doesn’t pertain to baseball. Nike is one of the biggest sport brands in the world. There are a lot of different brands for baseball equipment. Single handedly a lot of different brands of catchers gear. Rawlings might be one of the most reliable and trusted brands in baseball, but one other brand has been improving and coming for rawlings spot. Nike catcher’s gear has been worn in the MLB a lot more than past years. One of the best catcher’s in the MLB Yadier Molina has used rawlings catcher gears for over 10 seasons until now he is using Nike catchers gear. Around 15+ professional players also choose Nike catchers gear to protect them behind the plate.

After reading the small intro you guys may be wondering why Nike catchers gear is the best and why the pros trust it. There are plenty of pros and very little cons to this catchers gear. First of all, you will only see new nike catchers gear being used in the MLB. Nike makes a lot of products that are available to the public but the new catchers gear are not. This might be one of the only downsides to the gear is how hard it is too get your hands on. Older years and styles of nike catchers gear can still be purchased by the public, just not directly from Nike. Nike offers a full set, or you can by them separately. For example you could just buy a chest protector or you could get a whole set which is a helmet, shin pads, and a chest protector. Nike also offers catchers gloves.

Comparing it to other brands.

Now that you are aware of Nike catchers gear lets compare them to other brands like rawlings and all-star. One of the biggest factors is the price because it’s the first thing you notice. A full set of nike catchers gear would run you an around $400-500. Rawlings catchers gear set would run you around $300-400. An All-Star full set would cost around $300-500 depending on what style was bought. That being said they are all roughly around the same price, rawlings is the cheapest of the three. Nike and All Star both have full sets available for the same price. Besides the price the catchers gear has to perform. I wanted to see what people think who have bought one of these brands.

I am only comparing All-Star catchers gear to Nike catchers gear. First is All-Star brand, there are gel pads in the shin guards, directional blocking on the chest pad, and a mesh lining in the helmet. This catchers gear set is low weight and targeted for competitive players. The Nike catchers gear has all the same features, plus reinforced leg protectors for durability, a triple knee pad feature which protects part of the thigh. All in all they are pretty similar but Nike has extra features that will help will durability and protection. Nike has also been a trusted brand by many for years, and there catcher’s gear will only get better from year to year.

Do the Pros use Nike catchers gear?

So since you’re reading this article I know you’re interested in baseball. Well let’s find out what the Pros wear behind the plate. Catching might be one of the hardest positions on the field, with a pitcher throwing the ball 90+mph the catchers want to be protection. Almost half of the starting MLB catchers wear Nike catchers gear, as in chest protector and leg guards. At 47% of MLB starting catchers wearing Nike this alone shows that the best players trust this equipment to protect them, All-Star is worn by 14% of starting catchers. So if you want to wear what the pros wear get yourself some Nike catchers gear.

Above is JT Realmuto, the catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. As seen in the picture he is wearing Nike chest and leg protectors.

Youth Nike Catchers Gear.

All though Nike does not produce youth catchers gear anymore, there are still sets and pieces available. Ebay is most likely the easiest place to get an old youth set made by Nike. There is no specific reason why Nike stopped producing these, my guess is because they wanted to target a more competitive area of the sport. Since they do not supply youth gear, they can focus on the professional gear and try to make it the best performing gear by a landslide. If you want to check out some of the youth gear click the link below. There are so many youth options that Nike was not a top choice because they are a more expensive brand.

Where to find this gear at.

All of the gear can be found at any sports retailer. Most stores like dicks and modells will carry this gear year long. Most of the time there will be a new style for every year. This updates the technologies and features within the gear. Many online baseball stores carry all of this equipment as well. The gear is offered in a handful of colors and styles. Full sets or just pieces are available for purchase and so are catchers gloves. The gear is the same retail price at all of the stores, but you could find them on sale if you’re looking at the right time of year. This link will take you to midway sports website were you can purchase this gear at. https://midwaysports.com/products/nike-vapor-chest-protector-17-navy?variant=28647597146217&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic

Why you should buy Nike Catchers Gear.

So the first reason why you should purchase this gear is because the Pros do. If you want to know what the best gear is or what gear performs the best all you have to do is look at what the Pros are wearing. Like stated earlier in the article, 47% of the starting MLB catchers wear this gear. Nike uses technology to make sure they are offering the most advanced gear. The chest pad is crafted in such a way that it helps the ball bounce a certain direction. The leg guards are also tested for durability since they are grinding in the dirt all game. Nike has not just thrown together this gear, they took there time to make sure it could be the top catchers gear available on the market

This is Yadier Molina, one of the greatest catchers in the MLB and he trusts in Nike to protect him behind the plate.

Final Research Review.

After doing some research on the gear and specifications compared to other brands there is not that much of a difference between them. Nike catchers gear is a tad bit lighter then its competitors. Along with the knee pads being more durable than others. The style of Nikes gear is better then its competitors as well but that is not a performance aspect. Nikes gear is alot harder to get a hold of then just an All Star or Rawlings brand set. So if you don’t mind a little searching, Nike catchers gear is the best all around for its price and performance.

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