Best Heart Guard Shirts for Youth in 2023

Best Heart Guard Shirts for Youth in 2023

Protect Your Child’s Chest with McDavid Heart Guard Shirts

Playing contact sports like football, hockey, and lacrosse can put young athletes at risk of painful and potentially dangerous blows to the chest area. Even with protective gear like shoulder pads and helmets, the sternum and ribs remain vulnerable. A direct hit to this region can cause bruising, fractured or broken ribs, damage to internal organs, and other serious injuries.

That’s why McDavid Heart Guard shirts offer an extra layer of protection right where kids need it most. These unique compression-fit undergarment shirts feature strategically placed foam padding panels over the sternum and rib cage. This lightweight but high-density padding absorbs the brunt of impacts, dispersing shock and reducing the chance of injury from falls, checks, body blows, pucks, balls, and other hard hits.

The foam inserts are ventilated to allow air circulation and wick moisture during active play. The stretchy performance fabric hugs close to the body for a non-restrictive fit that won’t impede breathing or mobility. So kids can move freely and play their best game while minimizing the risks that come with high-energy contact sports.

McDavid uses an advanced U-shaped sternum protector that extends around to the side ribs. This extra coverage shields more surface area compared to other brands. At the same time, it maintains flexibility so as not to hinder natural torso movement.

With over 60 years of experience making protective and performance athletic gear, McDavid is a brand that parents and coaches trust to help reduce impact injuries. Their innovative heart guard shirts provide an easy way to give your child’s chest some extra padding against blunt force trauma during practices and games.

Why Heart Protection Matters for Young Athletes

As kids grow up playing sports, parents want to keep them as safe as possible on the field, rink or court. And for good reason. High-impact collisions and repetitive blows in contact sports can lead to short and long term health issues. Protecting a child’s chest and rib cage is especially important.

The chest contains vital organs like the heart and lungs. It also houses the major blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart. A severe hit to this area at the wrong time can trigger cardiac arrest or other life-threatening conditions. Blows over the breastbone can bruise or even fracture the sternum, which is very painful and slow to heal.

Even minor chest trauma can potentially cause problems later in life. Repeated impacts may increase fibrosis in heart tissues over time, leading to arrhythmias, palpitations and other issues. There is also some evidence linking head trauma and cognitive problems in athletes. So any extra padding to absorb hits is beneficial.

Young athletes’ bones, muscles and connective tissues are still developing. Their rib cages are more flexible and pliable compared to adults. The cartilage at the end of growing bones is also more susceptible to damage. These anatomical differences may predispose youth to increased injury risk in the chest and torso.

Wearing proper safety gear like helmets and shoulder pads is important. But simply having this external equipment on does not guarantee full protection, especially for the chest. The rib area can still be vulnerable even with pads on. So adding a heart guard compression shirt creates an additional defensive barrier right against the skin.

Parents want to do everything they can to reduce the chances of harm to their children. That’s why specialized protective apparel like McDavid’s sternum shirts provide that extra peace of mind. Keeping a child’s delicate chest safe allows them to get the most out of playing their favorite sport.

McDavid’s Unique Sternum and Rib Protection System

McDavid set the standard for chest protection gear with the introduction of their heart guard shirt over two decades ago. Since then, they have continued to innovate and improve their designs to provide the most effective and comfortable sternum and rib protection available.

The core of McDavid’s system is their patented hex-shaped foam padding inserts strategically placed over the breastbone and ribs. This proprietary high-density closed cell foam absorbs 90% of the impact from blows to the torso. The unique hexagon shape allows flexibility in multiple directions for unrestricted mobility.

Unlike basic slabs of foam, the hex padding is perforated to allow air circulation. This ventilation wicks moisture and heat during periods of intense activity to keep athletes cool and dry. The perforations also make the padding more flexible to conform to body contours. An anti-microbial layer prevents odor buildup in the pads.

The padding sections are housed in integrated sleeves on the interior of the shirt rather than sewn or glued on the outside. This gives a smooth compression fit that won’t chafe or irritate the skin. The sleeves keep the pads in perfect position over the sternum and ribs during active movement.

Stretchy technical fabrics like Lycra spandex make up the rest of the shirt. These wick sweat and allow full range of motion. Flatlock stitching eliminates chafing seams for all-day comfort. The shirt extends below the waist to stay tucked in and provide complete coverage.

McDavid heart guard apparel comes in different options from short sleeve shirts to full baselayer suits. But all utilize their proven protective foam inserts to shield young athletes from routine knocks as well as serious collisions during high-energy contact sports.

With decades of experience and constant improvements in material technology, McDavid remains the leader in chest protection for athletes of all ages. Their shirts offer parents reliable impact absorption where it matters most – right over the sternum and ribs.

Soft Foam Padding Absorbs Impact

The key to any effective protective wear is using materials that cushion against force. For McDavid’s heart guard shirts, that means strategic placement of proprietary foam padding sections. This soft, lightweight foam absorbs the brunt of impacts to the sternum and rib areas.

Hard collisions in sports like hockey and football can briefly exert over 1000 lbs of compressive force on the body. Without adequate cushioning, this can seriously injure ribs and internal organs. Foam padding is designed to absorb and dissipate that intensity before it reaches the chest wall.

McDavid’s foam padding consists of advanced closed cell foam laminated between two layers of ventilated fabric. Closed cell foam has a structure full of tiny air bubbles that compress when squeezed. This compression absorbs shock and disperses energy from blows.

The small perforations in the fabric covering the foam improve ventilation and flexibility. This allows air flow to keep athletes cool and prevents heat buildup inside the pads during activity. The openings also enable the foam to compress in multiple directions, conforming to the body’s shape.

Thicker foam can absorb more energy, but it also gets hotter and inhibits movement. McDavid’s padding strikes the optimal balance between impact protection and comfort. It cushions hard hits but remains breathable and flexible for unrestricted mobility.

Repeated impacts can degrade foam over time. So McDavid uses high quality foam blends that maintain protective properties even after taking thousands of hits. Parents can have confidence that the foam padding will provide reliable safety game after game, season after season.

From bruising body checks to deflected pucks and sticks, contact sports expose young athletes to all kinds of incidental contact. McDavid’s soft yet durable foam absorbs these impacts while allowing kids to keep playing hard.

Mesh Fabric Keeps Kids Cool and Dry

Playing sports means sweating, especially in close-fitting protective compression gear. That’s why McDavid Heart Guard shirts incorporate lightweight mesh fabric panels to wick moisture and increase ventilation.

The polyester mesh fabric allows air to freely circulate, preventing the buildup of heat next to the skin. As kids work up a sweat during games and practices, the mesh material transports moisture across the surface to speed up evaporation. This keeps kids feeling cooler and dryer even during intense exertion.

Wet fabrics can cause chafing and irritation. But the mesh panels pull sweat away from the body while allowing lots of airflow. Athletes stay comfortable and avoid the distracted itchiness that damp gear causes. The mesh also limits sweat from soaking into the foam padding areas, helping maintain their protective performance.

Compared to a regular cotton t-shirt, the McDavid shirts offer vastly improved moisture wicking and breathability. Cotton soaks up sweat like a sponge and stays wet. The mesh fabric actively works to keep skin dry. So kids can maintain focus on the game rather than discomfort from a sweat-drenched uniform.

The seamless construction of the shirts eliminates thick seams that can rub and chafe, especially where protective padding presses against the skin. Flatlock stitching makes the apparel smooth and streamlined for non-irritating comfort. The compression fit provides muscle support without restricting circulation or overheating.

McDavid designs their shirts to work with, not against, an athlete’s body. The strategic use of ventilating mesh is an important aspect of this, keeping kids as cool, dry and comfortable as possible during dynamic sports activities. Breathable protection helps young players perform at their best.

Ideal for Football, Hockey, Lacrosse, and More

McDavid designed their Heart Guard shirts to protect young athletes participating in high-impact sports where collisions and body blows are common. Sports like football, hockey, lacrosse, rugby and martial arts can all benefit from extra torso protection.

In football, blocks and tackles often involve helmet-to-chest and shoulder pad-to-chest contact. Quarterbacks are also vulnerable to hard hits from blitzing defenders right over their rib cage and sternum. The padding in McDavid’s shirts provide an additional shield against these blows.

Ice hockey involves checking, body checks and high speed impacts from sticks, pucks and opponents. The foam inserts help cushion these blows and dispersions their energy before reaching the ribs. Goalies also gain extra protection diving for saves on their chests.

The full-contact nature of lacrosse, with ball carriers getting jostled from all sides, makes chest protection important. And the shirt’s stretchy fabric allows full range of motion for cradling and passing the ball.

Even non-contact sports like baseball and softball can benefit from sternal padding when batting. Foul tip pitches and deflections often strike batters in the midsection, which the shirts help absorb.

Beyond team sports, solo martial arts like karate and taekwondo involve kicks, punches and throws that may impact the torso. Light foam padding reduces potential for bruising without restricting karate uniforms or MMA fight wear.

The snug compression fit of McDavid’s shirts work well as a base layer under jerseys, pads and uniforms for nearly any youth contact sport. And the shirts provide subtle protection that doesn’t stand out, for those who dislike bulky hard shells or plated guards.

Snug Fit Won’t Restrict Movement or Breathing

For protective gear to work properly, it needs to stay in position during active play. McDavid’s compression fit heart guard shirts hug the body closely so the padding stays right where it should – over the sternum and ribs.

The shirts are made from elastic blend fabrics like spandex and Lycra that flex with the body’s movements. This creates a second-skin fit that won’t ride up or shift around. The integrated pad sleeves also help anchor the protective foam sections firmly in place against the chest wall.

Even during intense sprinting, cutting, jumping and torso twisting, the padding remains centered on the breastbone and ribs. The shirts move with the athlete’s body for seamless protection at all times.

The close fit also prevents the shirt from obstructing motion in the shoulders, arms and back. There is no excess material to get twisted or bunched up. Young athletes have full freedom of movement to catch, throw, stick handle and shoot without interference.

And since the fabric stretches rather than binds, it won’t constrict breathing. The ventilating mesh panels allow ample airflow for deep full breaths. Padding only goes over the rib cage not the belly, so there is no abdominal squeeze.

With many protective vests or hard-shell chest plates, straps and harnesses are needed to keep them in position. But McDavid’s soft compression construction eliminates the need for restrictive fasteners. Athletes barely even notice the shirt once it’s on and Oriental begin playing.

For parents concerned about injury risks but reluctant to burden their child with bulky gear, the streamlined low-profile shirts offer substantial protection without impacting performance.

Choose from 3 Sizes for Growing Kids

As children grow and develop, properly fitted protective gear ensures it provides maximum protection. McDavid Heart Guard shirts come in three size options to provide an ideal compression fit as kids get bigger.

The YS size fits young athletes with chest sizes of 26-29 inches, appropriate for many elementary and middle school players. This smaller size ensures the protective padding fully covers their chests and won’t slide around during active play.

The AS size covers chest circumferences of 28-32 inches, providing a snug fit for pre-teens and young teens playing youth contact sports. Despite tighter compression, the shirts allow easy on and off without needing to stretch or tug excessively.

For high school athletes and players with adult-sized physiques, the AM size fits chests 32-36 inches around. Broad-shouldered and well-built teens get the same breathable protection with proper full coverage.

Within each size’s fit range, the stretchy fabrics adapt to subtle torso shape variations. And the shirts’ overall compressive nature keeps the padding right where it should be as kids grow and gain muscle mass.

For parents wondering if their child is between sizes, McDavid advises choosing the smaller size. The expandable fabrics offer some wiggle room for growth spurts. And a tighter fit better keeps the padding in optimal protective position.

With McDavid’s sizing selection, parents can order the size that currently fits their child best. As kids outgrow the shirts, moving up a size ensures continuous sternum and rib protection season after season.

Great for Both Boys and Girls Playing Contact Sports

While football and hockey are traditionally male-dominated sports, more and more girls are taking the field and the ice these days. McDavid designed their Heart Guard shirts to provide chest protection for young female athletes as well.

The women’s-specific contoured fit and stretchy fabrics ensure the padding stays in place despite differences in torso shape compared to boys. And the compression fit offers support without uncomfortably binding the chest.

Youth female lacrosse players benefit greatly from the shirts, as their developing bodies can be more prone to impact injuries in the chest region. The same goes for girls playing rugby, martial arts, and other rough contact sports.

In sports like basketball, soccer and field hockey, incidental collisions and elbows to the chest sometimes occur. The McDavid shirts provide subtle padding to help prevent bruising while not affecting jersey fit or shooting mechanics.

The ventilation panels and sweat-wicking fabrics help keep female players cool and dry even when wearing sports bras underneath. And the shirts don’t have bulky seams that create irritation or discomfort.

While serious chest injuries are less common in girls compared to boys, they still happen. And the idea of offering extra protection resonates with parents of daughters playing any sport with potential mid-body impacts.

McDavid’s shirts provide girls an unobtrusive way to protect their chests without limiting movement or impacting uniform performance. Female or male, all young athletes deserve to compete with confidence and safety.

Peace of Mind for Parents Watching from Sidelines

Seeing your child get hit hard playing sports elicits an instinctive worry response from any parent. McDavid’s protective shirts offer reassurance that your kid’s chest and ribs have an extra layer of padded protection.

Watching from the stands, you can’t always see if a collision impacted your child’s torso. But with the shirt on underneath, there is less cause for alarm on big hits. The padding helps mitigate the severity of chest blows to avoid fractures and trauma.

During pre-game warmups, you can see that the shirt and inserts fit snugly in position over the sternum. This visual confirmation provides confidence that the gear will perform as intended during gameplay when impact dynamics are unpredictable.

Some parents hesitate allowing kids to play contact sports over injury fears. But safety gear like McDavid’s heart guard shirts allows participation with reduced risk. Kids gain the benefits of team sports while paranoid parents relax slightly.

The shirts also discourage dangerous play habits. Some football players lead with their heads to avoid chest pain on collisions. The padding lets kids keep their heads up when tackling and checking.

After big hits, you can ask if the shirt helped cushion the impact. Kids feedback can assure the gear protected as expected. If they report discomfort, larger pads may be needed.

While no protective equipment can prevent all injuries, McDavid’s extra chest padding reduces the severity of potential blows. As a parent, knowing your child’s torso is better shielded provides reassurance and peace of mind.

Designed for Comfort, Mobility, and Safety

McDavid engineered their Heart Guard shirts to balance three important aspects: comfort, mobility, and safety. Using advanced materials and technology, they achieve this delicate balance better than any other chest protector available.

The ventilated foam padding cushions hard hits to the sternum and ribs. The padding is thick enough to absorb impact forces but still thin and light enough to allow free movement and breathing. Strategic perforations make the foam more breathable and flexible.

Stretch fabrics like Lycra spandex move with the body for unrestricted mobility in the shoulders, arms and torso. These wicking materials keep athletes cooler and drier as they work up a sweat during intense activity.

Seamless interior construction and flatlock stitching prevent skin irritation and chafing. Tight compression fits without squeezing or binding. There are no buckles or elastic bands digging into the body.

Everything about the McDavid shirts is designed for dynamic contact sports. The materials stand up to endless stretching, twisting, collisions and laundering. Parents don’t have to worry about durability or replacements after one season.

By incorporating decades of expertise crafting protective sports gear, McDavid created a uniquely comfortable and flexible chest protector. It moves seamlessly with young athletes for safe, unhindered play.

When kids put on the shirt, they quickly forget about it and focus on competing. But as parents and coaches, we appreciate the protection it provides against unseen trauma on the field.

Trusted Brand Used by Pro Athletes Worldwide

With over 60 years of experience crafting sports protective gear, McDavid has earned a reputation for engineering quality equipment to prevent athletic injuries. Pros, amateurs and youth athletes worldwide trust McDavid to help keep them safe.

McDavid currently provides protective apparel and gear across major pro sports leagues including the NFL, MLB, NHL and UFC. When professional athletes with elite performance needs use McDavid, parents know it’s safe for their kids.

Their innovative HEX® foam padding is used in all their chest protectors, knee braces, padded underwear and other protective equipment. This proprietary lightweight foam absorbs impacts better than basic EVA or PE padding.

McDavid conducts continual product testing and research to improve gear performance and safety. Their in-house lab uses timed weight drop impact testing to simulate sports collisions and refine padding for optimal energy absorption.

Unlike some competitors, McDavid maintains complete control over their protective equipment production. They don’t outsource to third parties with lower quality standards. This ensures consistency and reliability.

McDavid also partners with sports medicine doctors to advise on injury prevention strategies. Recommendations from medical experts ensure their products provide maximum protection.

With elite-level sports protection experience and innovation, McDavid is the go-to brand for chest guards. When shopping for your child’s safety gear, choose the brand that top athletes trust to shield their bodies.

Order Online for Fast Shipping Right to Your Door

Keeping your child protected for their next big game or upcoming season starts with getting their McDavid Heart Guard shirt ordered promptly. Their website makes it easy to shop Heart Guard apparel and have it conveniently shipped straight to you.

Browse their online selection of short and long sleeve Heart Guard shirts. View sizing charts to choose the right compression fit for your child’s measurements. Select youth or adult sizes in your preferred color and style.

Online inventory enables easy replacement if your child outgrows their current shirt mid-season. No need to hunt from store to store – just order the next size up right from home.

McDavid offers flat-rate shipping and expedited delivery options to get gear delivered ASAP. Shirts ship compressed for reduced packaging, and expand to proper form after unpacking.

Within 3-5 business days of your order, the Heart Guard shirt will arrive at your doorstep ready for action. No time wasted driving to various sporting goods shops hoping they have the right size in stock.

Online shopping lets you comparison shop styles and pricing. Take advantage of occasional e-commerce sales and specials not available locally. And enjoy convenient home delivery in time for upcoming practices and games.

Obtaining effective protection for your child is just a few clicks and days away. Visit McDavid’s website today to order your Heart Guard shirts hassle-free.

Give Your Child Extra Confidence On and Off Field

Knowing their torso is better protected from impacts can instill extra confidence in young athletes, both on the field and off. McDavid’s Heart Guard shirts provide that added peace of mind to play bold and stay safe.

In practices and games, the shirt padding allows kids to compete without subconscious fear of chest injury. They can focus fully on sport skills, maneuvers and strategy without added anxiety or hesitation.

The compression fit shirts also provide subtle muscular support that helps athletes feel like their best self. This allows smaller players to go full-speed against bigger opponents without inhibition.

Off the field, kids feel a sense of relief knowing their risk is reduced during high-energy play. They don’t have to obsess over worst-case scenario blows that could potentially cause trauma.

Parents also gain confidence knowing their child is better protected, which can relieve tension and encourage fun family sports experiences. More confidence and less worry benefits the whole household.

With today’s amplified media coverage of injuries in youth sports, providing extra protection eases parents’ and children’s minds. McDavid Heart Guard shirts offer that confidence-boosting shield right over the sternum and ribs.

Help your child gain the physical and mental edge to reach their athletic potential. The right protective gear like McDavid’s innovative shirts build boldness and abilities.