Not all mask pads manage impact the same way. And none of them let you replace what wears out without replacing what protects you. The Shear3 does both.
The First Modular Mask Pad System
D3O® Shear3 pad cores operate as a two-part system. These cores contain the protective technology: three engineered layers that manage impact. They insert into Davis Pad Socks (required, sold separately), which provide the exterior fabric interface and frame attachment. When your pad sock wears from seasons of use, replace it. Not the padding. Want to change colors? Swap socks. Want moisture-wicking performance for August or microfiber suede for early spring? Change materials in minutes. Same protection, different interface.
Three-Layer Progressive Deceleration
Most traditional dual-layer pads fail through material mismatch. Stiff foam does all the work until it bottoms out, then transfers remaining force directly to you. The abrupt transition creates a force spike.
The Shear3 succeeds through deliberate impedance matching across three distinct layers. D3O Aeromax at 220 kg/m³ meets the frame interface. D3O is rate-sensitive technology that stays flexible until impact. When you're hit, polymer chains lock together instantly, dispersing energy and beginning the deceleration sequence. Medium-high density VPU at 69.8 kg/m³ continues the timeline with controlled compression. Medium density VPU at 45 kg/m³ against your skin completes the progression. Each layer hands off force to the next without the spike that occurs when mismatched materials meet.
The most progressive deceleration in the Davis pad family. For umpires who want D3O's instant impact response paired with VPU's controlled compression. Requires ambient temperatures above 65°F where VPU layers perform optimally. For lighter weight, Tango2 pairs EVA with VPU. For softer face feel and all-season use, Cloud4 offers four-layer construction with a wider ambient temperature operating range.
A 1mm HDPE load distribution plate flexes under mask bar impact, transforming narrow 5-6mm pressure lines into broader compression zones. Force spreads before foam compresses.
Protection engineered as a system. Convenience built in from the start.
Best For: Umpires seeking the most protective pad core in ambient temperatures above 65°F. Similar face feel to Team Wendy pads.