If you’ve ever been hit in the chest with a paintball, you know how painful it can be. Even if you’re wearing all the right protective gear, paintballs can still leave welts and bruises when you’re hit in unprotected areas, like your arms and legs. So to make sure you’re protecting your most vulnerable spot, we rounded up the best paintball chest protectors.
Read on for our list of the best paintball chest protectors.
Our Editor’s Best Paintball Chest Protectors Reviews
- Size Recommendation: Runs large; consider sizing down from your normal size for the best fit and optimal comfort.
- Enhanced Safety & Protection: Designed for high-impact performance, this chest protector features padding zones in the chest, back and shoulders areas to absorb shock and reduce impact from a direct shot from a paintball order airsoft bb during intense gameplay.
- Lightweight & Breathable: Constructed with durable materials, the Crash Chest Protector ensures fluid mobility and comfort, making it perfect for long hours on the field.
- Superior Comfort Features: The 4-way stretch breathable materials increases flexibility while acting as a cooling agent on hot days, keeping you comfortable and focused.
- Flexible Design: Custom HK Army trim and flexible lycra side panels enhance fit and allow for unrestricted movement, making it an essential under shirt or tactical gear for airsoft and paintball enthusiasts.
- BUILT FOR PAINTBALL, AIRSOFT, ETC! Maddog's Padded Chest Protector Has You COVERED! Comfortably worn over or under first layer as added protection. Great for CQB (Close Quarter Battles). Padded Chest Protector protects the front and back of the torso while leaving your arm's mobility free.
- PLAY PROTECTED, SHOOT COMFORTABLY! Padding everywhere you need it! Flexible armor for easy maneuvering and minimal break in period. Don't get shot without protection! Maddog Chest Protectors provide lightweight front and back protection. Built with elastic shoulder straps and an adjustable velcro belt closure around the waist. Fully Adjustable Sized to Fit Most, Youth to XL!
- TAKE THE PAIN OUT OF PAINTBALL! For added protection on the field, in the woods, etc! Whether it's paintball, airsoft, low impact / high impact, or otherwise.. Getting shot hurts! Don't wait until it's too late! Wear under coveralls or on top of your first layer.
- DON'T BE AFRAID TO WIN! Play with confidence! Leave the welts and bruises to the everyone else.. Maddog's padded chest protector helps soften the blow of a direct hit! Comfortable, functional chest and back protection built for paintballers, airsofters, etc.
- SAFETY FIRST! It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.. So Don't! Maddog Keeps You in the Game for Longer! Lightweight, Padded Protective Coverage Without Compromise! Perfect Chest Protector for Paintballing, Airsoft, Etc!
- COMPLETE ALL-IN-ONE PAINTBALL / AIRSOFT PROTECTIVE COMBO! Each kit contains: Maddog Padded Chest Protector, Maddog Neoprene Neck Protector, and Maddog Tactical Protective Half-Gloves. Don't Be Afraid to WIN! Maddog Has You Covered!
- TAKE THE PAIN OUT OF PAINTBALL! Padding everywhere you need it! Flexible armor for easy maneuvering and minimal break in period. Don't get shot without protection! Maddog Chest Protectors provide lightweight front and back protection. Built with stretch elastic shoulder straps and an adjustable velcro belt closure around the waist. Sized to Fit Most, Youth to XL - Refer to Size Chart for Coverage.
- NECK SHOTS ARE THE WORST! Don't wait until it's too late to pick up a neck protector. Getting shot in the neck can take you off the field for a game or two while you recover. Maddog's Neoprene Neck Protector is comfortable and helps soften the blow of a direct hit. One Size Fits Most - 21 x 2.5 inches
- HAPPY PROTECTED TRIGGER FINGERS! Unload on the competition in Maddog Tactical Half-Gloves! Low profile, tactical, Protective shielding at top of hand. Mesh fabric for ventilation. Elastic strap ensures a secure fit. Padded palm. Perfect for Paintball, Airsoft, ETC. See Size Chart for Details!
- SAFETY FIRST! It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.. So Don't! Maddog Keeps You in the Game for Longer! Complete Protective Coverage Without Compromise! Perfect Protective Combo for Paintballing, Airsoft, Etc! Show Up Ready to Play!
- Strategically cut and perforated EVA core padding
- Delivers incredible protection, breathability, and flexibility
- Stretch mesh vents run under the arms and along the sides to help keep you cool
- Breathable, moisture wicking material
- Chest Protection Pads: Youth baseball chest protector shirts with large pad on the chest, heart and sternum area for protection during games, sports training, shielding your kids against sudden impact and minor injuries from pitches, balls and hits
- High Elastic & Breathable Material: Sleeveless compression padded tank tops with superior elasticity provide snug and supportive fit, allowing for unrestricted movement and optimal performance in activity. Polyester-spandex blend ensures a soft and comfortable feel against the skin, moisture-wicking fabric effectively pulls sweat away from your body, keep your boys and girls cool and dry during intence sports training or games
- Versatile Design: Kids cushioned softball sternum guard undershirts can be wear as a standalone top or as a base layer. The youth padded compression shirts is perfect for both options, make it suitable for various occasions, be it on the ballpark, softball field, paintball field, basketball court, football field, and so on
- Suitable for Various Sports: Chest chock guard vest is perfect for goalkeeper, baseball, softball, paintball, airsoft, hockey, lacrosse, t-ball, goalies, catcher, pitching or batting
- Cleaning: Catchers chest protector shirt is machine washable, easy to take care
- Strategically cut and perforated EVA core padding
- Delivers incredible protection, breathability, and flexibility
- Stretch mesh vents run under the arms and along the sides to help keep you cool
- Breathable, moisture wicking material
- LIGHTWEIGHT BODY ARMOR
- ABSORBS STING OF PAINTBALLS
- ELASTIC SIDE STRAPS
- EXTREME VENTILATION
- Impact Protection - Unique press-formed & highly resilient foam padding protects against sudden impact and minor injuries from balls, pitches and hard hits to the sternum, ribs, heart and chest area.
- Padded Compression Shirt for Boys - Mesh fabric across shoulders back and sides for superior breathability. Quick dry technology makes your body cool and dry.
- Perfect for Football, Baseball, Basketball, T Ball, Lacrosse, Paintball, Catchers, Rugby, Goalies, Pitching and Batting. The Padded Football Rib Protector & Sternum Shirt can keep your child safe when they are competing!
- Wash with cold water and tumble dry low. Warning: This product is designed to minimize injury from minor impacts to the sternum, chest area, ribs and lower back. It is not guaranteed to reduce the risk of Commotio Cordis, a rare but sometimes fatal injury arising from sudden impact to the heart.
- Size Based on Chest Size. X-Small: 23-25", Small: 25-26.5" Medium: 26.5-29.5", Large: 29.5-33", X-Large: 33-36". We offer you 30 Days No-Hassle-Return Policy, Lifetime Warranty for Replacement and Lifelong Technical After-Sales Service.
- [Chest Protective Padding] Kids padded tank tops with large pad on the chest, heart and sternum area can effectly protect against the sudden impact and minor injuries from balls, pitches and hits, youth cushioned baseball undershirts provide protection without limiting mobility.
- [Moisture wicking and quick dry material] This padded compression shirt makes your children stay cool on the pitch as it is made of soft, lightweight and breathable material.
- [Wearing Instruction] Kids can wear impact vest either outside or inside. Softball chest protection shirt acts as a base layer under the sports uniform.
- [Machine Washable ] Goal catcher’s shirt can be thrown directly in the wash with your regular clothes and ready again for the next practice, competition or game
- [Multi-Occasion] Youth baseball sternum guard shirt are suitable for sports which demand extra chest protection, like baseball, softball, hockey, paintball, lacrosse, football, T-ball, goalies, catchers, pitching and batting.
Best Paintball Chest Protectors Buying Guide
Before choosing the best paintball chest protector you should consider following options:
1. Chest Protection: The main function of a chest protector is to absorb the impact of paintballs that hit you.
Most chest protectors are made of polyethylene or polypropylene plastic with some made of nylon. They are available in different thicknesses to suit different levels of protection.
Hard-plastic protectors are generally more expensive, but they absorb a higher level of impact than soft ones.
You should choose your chest protector according to your type of paintball game. If you are playing woodsball, a hard chest protector is a good idea.
But if you are playing speedball, a soft chest protector is the way to go.
2. Back Protection: Most paintball chest protectors do not offer much back protection. To be on the safe side, you should get a back protector to wear along with your chest protector.
You can get one of these in the form of a waistcoat or a belt that you wear along with your chest protector.
3. Fitting: Your chest protector should be a good fit so that it does not move around while you are in the game.
You can test your chest protector before buying to make sure it is a good fit. You can do this by placing the protector on your chest and then doing jumping jacks while wearing it.
If it moves around while jumping, it is not a good fit. You can also check how it feels when you run with your chest protector on.
You should be able to run without feeling restricted, but you should also feel some impact absorption.
4. Coverage: The coverage of your chest protector is also important. A chest protector that does not cover your vital organs and your ribs is not a good protector.
You should choose a chest protector that will protect your chest, ribs, and arms.
5. Style: There is a wide variety of different styles in which you can get a chest protector. They are available in different colors and patterns, and you can even get them in camo.
You can get them in a vest or a shirt style. The shirt has short sleeves that protect your chest and arms, while the vest can be worn over a t-shirt to fully cover your torso and arms.
You can also get them in different lengths, with some reaching down to your waist while others end at your waist.
6. Additional Features: You can get a chest protector with additional features such as pockets to store your gear or straps to adjust the fit.
7. Price: You can get a chest protector for as little as $20 and as much as $100. The price depends on the quality of the protection, the materials used, and the features that it has.
You can get a decent chest protector for as little as $20, while a hard plastic protector can cost you as much as $50.
8. Maintenance: You should get a chest protector that is easy to maintain. You can get protectors that are machine washable and some that you can wipe with damp cloth.
Some chest protectors come with a break-in period, so they get softer with time.
What else you should know about paintball chest protectors
What is the best paintball chest protector?
There is no definitive answer to this question as different players have different preferences. Some popular paintball chest protectors include the Dye Assault Matrix Chest Protector, the Empire Paintball Chest Protector, and the Planet Eclipse Chest Protector.
What are the benefits of wearing a paintball chest protector?
There are many benefits to wearing a paintball chest protector. Some of the benefits include:
1. Protects your chest and vital organs from being hit by paintballs
2. Can help absorb some of the impact from a paintball hit
3. Can help deflect paintballs away from your chest
4. Can help keep you cool and dry by wicking away sweat
5. Can help you move more easily by not constricting your chest
6. Can provide padding if you fall or are hit in the chest
7. Can make you feel more confident and protected while playing
What are the different types of paintball chest protectors?
There are three main types of paintball chest protectors: soft vests, hard vests, and rigid vests. Soft vests are typically made of foam or other soft materials and offer the least amount of protection. Hard vests are usually made of plastic or other hard materials and offer more protection than soft vests. Rigid vests are made of metal or other rigid materials and offer the most protection.
How do I choose the right size paintball chest protector?
There is no definitive answer, as the right size paintball chest protector will vary depending on the individual’s body type and preference. It is generally recommended that players try on a variety of different sizes and styles to find the one that offers the best fit and protection.
What is the difference between a paintball vest and a paintball chest protector?
A paintball vest is typically a piece of clothing worn to cover the torso and some of the arms. A paintball chest protector is a piece of protective gear that covers the chest and some of the back.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best paintball chest protectors. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best paintball chest protectors will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.