Universal Padding Fit Kit vs Umpire's Inside Chest Protector: which is safer?
Easton Universal Padding Fit Kit is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Easton
Universal Padding Fit Kit
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossiblePolyurethane foam off-gassing (VOCs)
PossibleAdhesive leachables
PossibleElastic synthetic fiber irritation
MacGregor
Umpire's Inside Chest Protector
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleFormaldehyde resins in fabric finishing
ReportedFoam degradation and particle shedding
PossibleAzo dyes in outer shell coloring
Where these two actually differ
- 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 MacGregor.
- We flag Formaldehyde resins in fabric finishing, Foam degradation and particle shedding, Azo dyes in outer shell coloring and Antimony in polyester component on the MacGregor and not on the Easton.
- The Easton is foam padding, elastic straps where the MacGregor is foam padding, cotton/poly blend outer shell, 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