Please note that the following table reflects the understanding/opinions of PRO VEST INC. and, as such, is not presented as an objective analysis.
| Characteristics |
PRO VEST® Half-Length Vest |
Heart-Gard®
Shirt Style |
Heart-Gard®
Strap Style |
| Impact Tested |
Yes (1) |
No (2) |
No (2) |
| Impact Testing Results Made Available to Consumers |
Yes |
N/A |
N/A |
| Effectiveness | Attenuated the impact force of a 77.38 MPH Major League Baseball on the chest plate below that of a 17.29 MPH baseball. (3) | Unknown. Could possibly reduce the impact force of a pitched or batted ball traveling 60 MPH or faster to 40 MPH, the peak speed at which Commotio Cordis was induced in a research study. (4) | Unknown. Could possibly reduce the impact force of a pitched or batted ball traveling 60 MPH or faster to 40 MPH, the peak speed at which Commotio Cordis was induced in a research study. (4) |
| # of Sizes | Five (XS, S, M, L, XL) | One | One |
| Estimated Area of Plastic Chest Plate | Chest Plate in the small-size vest is approximately 26 sq. in., with the chest plates in the medium, large and extra large vests being progressively larger in area and the chest plate in the extra small vest being smaller in area. | Approximately 23 sq. in. Although the Heart-Gard claims to have "the largest rigid plate over the vital area of any protector," it is actually smaller in area than the molded plastic chest plate in the small-size Pro Vest, and Pro Vest markets three larger vest sizes with even larger chest plates. (5) | Approximately 23 sq. in. Although the Heart-Gard claims to have "the largest rigid plate over the vital area of any protector," it is actually smaller in area than the molded plastic chest plate in the small-size Pro Vest, and Pro Vest markets three larger vest sizes with even larger chest plates. (5) |
| Comfort Factor | Relatively comfortable since it a) is supported on the torso by the shoulder straps, b) does not add an extra layer of clothing and c) is secured in place by the adjustable side straps, which connect the front of the vest to the back and keep the vest from bouncing or shifting out of position. | Uncomfortable to wear due to:
a) the resulting extra layer of clothing under the uniform, particularly in warm/hot weather and b) the tight compression shirt. | Uncomfortable to wear since it:
a) hangs from the neck and
b) can bounce up &down, sideways and in &out from the chest due to the elastic straps. |
| Characteristics |
PRO VEST® Half-Length Vest |
Heart-Gard®, shirt style |
Heart-Gard®, strap style |
| Plastic Chest Plate Shape |
Shaped somewhat like a rectangle (or square in the case of the chest plate in the extra small vest) positioned lengthwise vertically with rounded corners and right triangles cut out of the upper left and right corners so that the arms can move freely across the body in the throwing and batting motions. |
Shaped somewhat like an octagon, with the angled segments being much longer than the straight segments. Since a) the center of the heart lies slightly to the left of the midsagittal plane - the body's centerline - and b) the heart is angled downward to the left in the body, the shape of the Heart-Gard would seem to leave the lower left portion of the heart unprotected. |
Shaped somewhat like an octagon, with the angled segments being much longer than the straight segments. Since a) the center of the heart lies slightly to the left of the midsagittal plane - the body's centerline - and b) the heart is angled downward to the left in the body, the shape of the Heart-Gard would seem to leave the lower left portion of the heart unprotected. |
| Positioning of the Chest Plate on the torso |
Height (i.e. vertically) adjustable via the adjustable shoulder straps. |
Not adjustable. |
Height (i.e. vertically) adjustable via the adjustable neck strap. |
| Other Features |
A) Protects the upper back/spine too. B) Multi-Use, incl. optional shoulder pads for lacrosse. |
None |
None |
| Functionality, meaning how well a product performs the function expected of it. |
Excellent, due to a) the relatively large area of chest plate coverage relative to the vest size, b) the fact that the vest comes in five sizes, c) the shape of the chest plate, d) the fact that it is height adjustable, and 5) its impact-test proven effectiveness. |
Poor, due to a) its relatively small area of coverage, especially given the fact that it only comes in one size, b) its shape, c) its questionable effectiveness due to the lack of any impact testing results, and d) the fact that it is not height adjustable. |
Poor, due to a) its relatively small area of coverage, especially given the fact that it only comes in one size, b) its shape, c) its questionable effectiveness due to the lack of any impact testing results, and d) its propensity to bounce around, out of position. |
(1) Impact testing conducted by Southern Impact Research Center, Rockford, TN, a firm recommended to Pro Vest Inc. by several national organizations involved with youth sports safety.
(2) Based on the inventor's response to the question "Was the Heart-Gard impact tested", asked in person at an American Baseball Coaches Association convention/vendor show.
(4) For details on the research study search for an article on the Internet titled "Upper and lower limits of vulnerability to sudden arrhythmic death with chest wall impact (commotio cordis)" that appeared in the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY.
(5) Please use the Contact Us form on our website to request a schematic depicting the estimated Heart-Gard area of coverage.
