In this article we will be looking at the best padded compression shirts on the market in 2018. What are these shirts good for? Based on what criteria should you choose one? We will look at several products, and attempt to choose the best padded compression shirt. We will rate these shirts and give you advice on which ones you should choose. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of each of the best padded compression shirts.
Who should wear padded compression shirts? Padded compression shirts are great for athletes who want to add a slight layer of padding under their jersey. Baseball, lacrosse and football players are the most common users of padded compression shirts.
TUOY Men's Padded Compression Shirt
This shirt is an excellent protective compression shirt for playing a wide variety of sports. Excellent for playing football, soccer, paintball, snowboarding, longboarding or other types of contact sports. They are great for baseball and softball as they give more protection than shoulder pads alone. The extra padding at the ribs, chest shoulders and your back will protect you from injuries, heavy contact while keeping you comfortable.
The pads are made of little hexagons. Individually they allow perfect movement, while together they protect you against impact.
I really like the breathability of these shirts. They allow your skin to breathe. You will stay dry, comfortable. The seams of these padded compression shirts are constructed very softly. They are very soft on your skin, you don't have to fear blisters, skin burn or other damages.
On the Amazon product page there are a lot of questions about the sizing of these shirts. Make sure you check the product size chart on the product page. Also you can use the FAQ section to ask people who already ordered the product.
EliteTek Padded Compression Shirt
The EliteTek padded compression shirts were designed with football coaches and players, and tested on the field. Recommended mostly for baseball, paintball and lacrosse. However also great for snowboarding, skiing, and contact sports like soccer and basketball. Some people even use them for jiu-jitsu, to protect their ribs.
This padded compression shirt is one of the most comfortable on the market. The chest and the ribs are covered with special protective padding, made with unique design. They have a single solid pad composition, giving you flexibility.Your motion is not hindered by the pads.
The protective layer is a bit thiner at the shoulders, you still have a full range of movement. It has mesh under the arms for greater breathability.
The pads really help break down the impact. I even saw people buying these padded compression shirts for medieval fighting clubs. Lacrosse players say the same, the rib pads give enough protection.
However it is definitely not for rugby. It offers very little protection to the shoulders and collar bone, which can be an issue in rugby. In football you use them under other pads, so this wouldn't be an issue.
As far as sizing goes, try to order the smaller size if you are in doubt. These are compression shirts, so they are meant to feel tight. If they are loose, the compression technology can't put pressure on the veins. You miss out on all the benefits on circulation the compression technology would give you.
Overall, these shirts were created for muscular people. If you are very thin at the chest area, they might feel loose.
Cramer Lightning 5 Pad Football Compression Shirt
Cramer has been in the clothing market since 1918. They have put all their expertise into manufacturing these excellent padded compression shirts.
The special selling point of this padded compression shirt are the Spider Web EVA Foam for Pads. These pads protect your chest, ribs, spine and shoulders without impending your mobility.
The EVA Spider Web foam pads distribute the impact of hits to protect your muscles and bones. This makes the Cramer Lightning padded compression shirts the best products for quarterbacks, running backs. Anybody who has to take large hits to their core frequently.
The base layer is a flexible mixture of mesh, lycra and nylon. The moisture-wicking and antimicrobial qualities of the base layer makes the Lightning 5 Pad Compression shirts excellent for even the most demanding workouts. The front panel has added mesh for better ventilation.
This shirt gives you the best combination of safety, style and comfort out of all the padded compression shirts on the market. It is also great value for its price.
CHAMPRO FJU6 Compression Armour Shirt
The ChamPro padded compression shirts have probably the best ventilation out of all the models we reviewed on the website. The special DRI-Gear moisture management system keeps you cool.
The padding covers most of the upper body of the user. The pads use the special TRI-Flex cushion system. They cover most of your upper body.
The fabric is very thick, strong and durable. The compression of the fabric is excellent, very strong.
The padding covers most of the surface of your upper body. The combination of the padding, thick base layer and strong compression makes these pads an excellent protective item for athletes with a history of injuries.
If you are injured often, you might want to check our reviews of the best compression shirts for pain.
The extra protection is a big reason why kids like using it. They can play along, without having to worry about injuries.
Favor Gear Padded Compression Shirt
These padded compression shirts were designed for goalkeepers. The strong shoulder, chest and elbow pads mitigate the impact of dives. The chest pads reduce rebounds, it becomes easier to handle shots. If you are a goalkeeper who is always in the heat of the action, dives aggressively for every shot, than these are the best padded compression shirts for you.
The base layer is made of lightweight, moisture wicking material. The pads are made of high performance polyurethane.
As a goalkeeper you have to wash your clothes all the time. You get dirty after every game. These shirts are machine washable, and keep their size even after several washes. The pads stay up, all in all these are very durable shirts when it comes to washing.
On the negative side, some reviews mention that the sleeves are a little short.
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.
This concludes the review of the best padded compression shirts in 2018. I hope you could find the right padded compression shirt for your individual needs, sports and budget.