Unequal has been out front on the development of effective heart protection for years... so we applaud the recent lacrosse standards that were implemented. While we are very confident in the overall effectiveness of the original Unequal Hart pad products that came with a target="_blank">peer-reviewed study and FDA claim, we now have added an SEI Certification to our lacrosse goalie chest protector, player shoulder pads, and Pulse shoulder pad shirt. They are simply the most accredited pads available.
Uniquely constructed with a low-profile chest pad that does not negatively impact natural athletic movement of arms when stick handling. The narrow design does not obstruct your vision when you need to play the ball down around your feet. It can be the easiest approved gear for players to transition to as it's made with thin, but powerful aramid fiber technology. Our patented composite allows us to provide superb protection with less padding in your way.
The Unequal HART® Protection Zone utilizes our HART® CC pads which are positioned with the advise of experts in cardiology. The pads surround the center and left side chest and are arranged to help protect against direct impacts as well as the left side where players can be vulnerable.* Dr. Jeffrey Mandak, a Board-Certified Cardiologist, says to properly protect the heart from commotio cordis an effective chest protector will safeguard the player from the sternum to the left nipple. A deficiency in this area may potentially expose athletes to inadequate coverage.
*Left side pads available with CC Lacrosse Shoulder Pads, CC Goalie Chest Protector, Hart Shirts, & Hart Pad products
HOF Goalie Brian Dougherty was a key contributor to the design of Unequal chest gear... “As a US Lacrosse Hall of Fame goalie, who excelled at all levels of competition including the international and professional arenas, I know how important protective equipment is for all players. I am excited and honored to be a part of the Unequal team that developed a product that will help protect players. It is truly revolutionary design that will finally afford players the proper safeguarding so desperately needed in the game of lacrosse.”
MVP Goalie Blaze Riorden chose to wear Unequal during the 2023 PLL season... “I understand the importance of good pads. The sleek, protective, revolutionary padding Unequal has developed made it a no brainer, this is what I want to trust and be a part of. I’ve been lucky enough to help develop and test the gear that will now protect and help advance the next generation”
As the world-leading experts in commotio cordis and after more than two decades of researching a protective solution, Tufts Medical Center, found Unequal had invented the first technology ever proven to significantly reduce the risk of commotio cordis. The result of the research was a peer-reviewed, published study in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, March, 2016, “Development of a Chest Wall Protector Effective in Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death by Chest Wall Impact (commotio cordis).” Next, the FDA issued an IFU Claim regarding Unequal Hart pads that states: “When incorporated into a suitable garment and worn in accordance with instructions, the HART CC (commotio cordis) Pad device has been shown to reduce the mechanical impact received by the chest that may facilitate the reduction in risk of commotio cordis.”
