Pro Style Shock Absorbing Pad vs Universal Padding Fit Kit: which is safer?

Easton Pro Style Shock Absorbing Pad is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Our pick

Easton Pro Style Shock Absorbing Pad

Easton

Pro Style Shock Absorbing Pad

PFAS grade

Good 65/100

Overall grade

Poor 49/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Foam padding, likely EVA or polyurethane

Confidence

72%

PossibleFormaldehyde in textile finishes

PossibleAzo dyes in shell fabric

PossibleAdhesive volatiles (VOC/off-gassing)

Easton Universal Padding Fit Kit

Easton

Universal Padding Fit Kit

PFAS grade

Good 65/100

Overall grade

Poor 43/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

foam padding, elastic straps

Confidence

72%

PossiblePolyurethane foam off-gassing (VOCs)

PossibleAdhesive leachables

PossibleElastic synthetic fiber irritation

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Formaldehyde in textile finishes, Azo dyes in shell fabric, Adhesive volatiles (VOC/off-gassing) and Microplastic shedding from foam breakdown on the Easton and not on the Easton.
  • We flag Polyurethane foam off-gassing (VOCs), Adhesive leachables, Elastic synthetic fiber irritation and Foam fragmentation and inhalation on the Easton and not on the Easton.
  • The Easton is Foam padding, likely EVA or polyurethane where the Easton is foam padding, elastic straps, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More sports equipment padding: see the full ranking