If you like to spend your free time playing sports like soccer, paintball, lacrosse, fencing, football or hockey, then you know that the risk of injury is high. Contact sports become increasingly more difficult as we age. The hits get harder and the recovery time is longer. That’s why in addition to wearing the required safety equipment for contact sports, we also suggest wearing padded compression shirts.

Padded compression shirts provide an extra layer of padding to the areas that are most vulnerable to injury. That means the ribs, shoulders, chest and back. The more protection you have in these areas, the less likely you are to be sidelined by a major injury.

Best Overall:

TUOY Youth Padded Shirt Chest Rib Protector Heart Guard Sternum Protective Compression Shirt 

Offers great support and protection on chest, sternum, heart, ribs and lower back. Moisture wicking and elastic, keep your body cool and dry, offer great flexibility when moving.Parents keep your child and players safe while they compete!

• Protective shoulder, rib and chest pads

• Hexagonal pad design for added mobility and protection

• Strong compression

• Soft touch on your skin

• Durable design

Best Seller:

COOLOMG Boys Padded Shirt Chest Rib Heart Guard Sternum Protection Youth & Kids

High-performance EVA foam provides extreme protection from impact and abrasion. Perfect protection: ribs, chest and collarbones. Perfect for Basketball, Baseball, Lacrosse, Paintball, Football, Rugby, T ball, Catchers, Goalies, Pitching and Batting

• Material: Polyester + spandex + EVA foam

• High elastic sweat-wicking fabric, UV protection, anti-collision particles of polyethylene EVA

• Tight Compression, Ultra Tight for a locked-in feel, help to stay fast and flexible

• Provides extra support and padding to Ribs, Chest, and Shoulders!

Best Fit:

EliteTek Padded Compression Shirt

Consists of single solid pad composition, has increased strength & allows for great flexibility. Enhanced pad positions and no sleeves allows for improved mobility. Padding at shoulders ends at the clavicle, providing extra support but also giving greater range of motion. Upgrades also include under arm mesh for added breath ability.

• Designed with football coaches and players, field tested

• Protective layer grants full range of motion

• Mesh under the arms

• Great for baseball, lacrosse and basketball as well

Frequently Asked Questions about Padded Compression Shirts

Should I choose the smaller or the larger size?

This is a very common question, as it is not always easy to find out which is the right product size for you. However the compression technology works only if the shirt is tight. I recommend choosing the smaller one when in doubt.

Are my padded compression shirts machine washable?

Most shirts can be washed in a machine. However the pads might come off if the shirts are lower quality. In that case try hand washing it.

What are padded compression shirts made of?

They are usually made of a spandex-nylon mix. The best padded compression shirts have mesh parts for added ventilation.

How strong is the compression technology?

Most models are between 10-20 mm Hg. This is considered medium compression. It doesn't have any adverse health affects, but it is strong enough to help your circulation during workouts.