Best Goalie Chest Protectors

A goalies chest protector is one of the most important pieces of equipment on the ice. Today, we’re diving into the best goalie chest protectors for 2024. 

I want to quickly mention that myself and the team here at GoalieCoaches as we do in every one of our goalie equipment review articles is this, we’re not here to convince you of a certain brand. We’re not getting paid by these companies, as you’ll notice in many of our breakdowns.. there is never just “one” company to trust.

When it comes to chest and arm protectors, it’s no different. We tend to recommend Vaughn chest and arm protection for goalies, simply because we’ve used them the longest, and we know who uses them at the pro level.

Like picking the helmet you’ll use, choosing a chest protector is one of the most important decisions you’ll make equipment wise. Yes, even above the pads you’ll use. Why is it more important? Because every single movement you make as a goalie between the pipes starts with your core. If you choose a chest protector that’s not mobile, or lower quality, movement is affected. When movement is affected, you’re slower. When you get hit with pucks and they hurt, and you lose interest in jumping in front of the next one.

Remember, no two pieces of goalie gear are created alike. While they may look the same, or be manufactured by the same company, there is always slight changes to the equipment.

Before we jump into this, let me just preface that there is a reason Vaughn is the #1 most worn chest protector in the NHL.  If you want the best-of-the-best, go with the Vaughn Ventus SLR4 Pro Carbon chest and arm protector.  It’s the creme-of-the-crop when it comes to chest protectors.

Table of Contents:

• Our Ratings Overview
• Jump To The First Review
• What To Look For In Chest Protector
• Sizing Guide

These are the top-rated chest protectors for 2024. 

• Vaughn Ventus SLR4 Pro Carbon (Best Overall)
• CCM EFlex 6 Pro (Best Mobility)
• Brian’s Optik 3 Pro
• Warrior Ritual X4 Pro
• Bauer Vapor Hyperlite 2

Highest Rated Goalie Chest Protectors Overview

In the paragraph above, we touched briefly on the importance of buying a top of the line chest and arm protection unit. What is the advantage of buying a high end (pro level) chest protector?

• Max protection for an area that gets hit the most
• Reduce “stingers” in turn, reduced flinching
• Increased range of motion with upgraded material
• More comfort and breathability
• Increased confidence

When it comes to chest protection, Vaughn is typically the most popular.  We here at Goalie Coaches have been using Vaughn chest protectors for years now, and are giant fans of the product they’ve built.

That said, this doesn’t mean Vaughn is the only option on the market when it comes to C/A protectors.

What does C/A stand for hockey?

It stands for Chest and Arm. Many refer to the chest protector used by goalies as a C/A protector. 

While yes, most NHL goalies are using Vaughn chest protectors right now and they’re widely known for their durability.  It doesn’t mean you can’t go with a Warrior or a Bauer and get great results.

If you are wondering, Vaughn is the largest market holder for the best goalie chest protectors.  This is not uncommon for brands to specialize in certain pieces of equipment although.  (Bauer skates and masks, Warrior sticks, etc…)

We are totally neutral when it comes to goalie gear reviews, which is why Vaughn isn’t close to the top of our top goalie pads article.

Enough of the chit-chat.  Let’s jump into this review of the best goalie chest protection systems that money can buy.

Vaughn Ventus SLR4 Pro Carbon (Best Overall)

As I mentioned, the Vaughn Ventus SLR4 Pro Carbon is the best chest and arm protector of 2024.  It’s built like a tank and is highly durable.  If getting in front of pucks is what you want to do, have no fear stepping in front of them with this protector.

Advantages

You aren’t going to find a chest and arm protector with a better reputation than Vaughn.  Other goalie manufacturers have high-end products and protection, but Vaughn stepped up into the #1 spot and hasn’t lost it.

The first plus is it’s durability.  Vaughn builds excellent products and their chest protectors are built to withstand many years of use.  If you’re playing hockey 3-5 times a week for most of the year, you won’t have to worry about it breaking down or it tearing, or anything like that.  Which is more than some other goalie brands can say.

The Vaughn Ventus SLR4 Pro Carbon offers a lot of coverage.  It has large, floating shoulder pads with molded caps for optimal protection, while staying mobile.  The sternum section has extra HD foam and carbon fiber (hence the name) to minimize stingers in the mid-section. The shoulders do sit a little higher for additional coverage up top.

The arms feature floating style elbow pads while the main pads in the arm have HD foam and more carbon fiber.

Overall, this is a pro-level chest protector and it offers pro-level protection.

Lastly, the mobility is very good, despite there being so much protection.  It has a dual back strap system which allows for adjustability – which is critical when getting the right fit.  This will help with your mobility in the crease.

The chest protector also has “floating” protection that is designed to move with you.

Being able to move effectively is critical when playing goalie.  If you aren’t able to move quickly over from side-to-side, you are going to be behind the play and have a higher chance of letting in a goal.  Having a C/A protector that offers high mobility is a must.

Disadvantages

The first big downside of this C/A is that it is expensive.  One of the priciest on the market.  But, there’s a reason for it.  It’s built to last.

If you don’t like your chest protector sitting too high on your shoulders, you may opt for a different one.  The tall shoulders is great for additional coverage, but some goalies may not like it for neck movement.  Personally I don’t see this as too big a deal, but it is something to keep in mind.

Vaughn SLR4 Pro Carbon Overall

This is the top chest and arm protector on the goalie market for good reason, it’s highly protective, durable and mobile.  You’ll spend up to get it, but it’s built to last.

CCM EFlex 6 Pro (Best Mobility)

CCM slides into the second spot on our rankings list.  It’s another chest protector that is built to withstand a beating, with high-end mobility.

Advantages

The new AER-TEC system in the EFlex 6 Pro chest protector is next level.  It’s technology that allows for better airflow and mobility.  The suspension in the backplate is optimally designed so that your able to rotate and move quickly without getting behind the play.

The ventilation system helps keep you cool while playing.  If you want to stay comfortable in the net, this is the chest protector for you.

The elbow has an independently adjustable design and comfort cap that allows for the perfect fit.  As I mentioned above, getting the right fit for you is critical for mobility, but also ensuring that the chest protector stays protective.  You don’t want your chest protector to have parts of your body that become unprotected with movement.

The protection in this chest protector is top tier.  Comparable with the Vaughn and the other top goalie manufacturing brands.  The sternum area has molded HD foam with D30.  The chest and ribs have multi-segmented HD/LD ventilated foam for protection, but also breathability and mobility.

The arms feature molded HD Zote foam, so there should be no stingers there!

The CCM EFlex 6 Pro is comfortable, mobile all while staying protective.

Disadvantages

Again, the price is a disadvantage here.  You can get cheaper options on the market, but not for the same quality or have the same features that this chest protector offers.

CCM is known for making solid goalie equipment, but I can’t say with certainty that this chest protector will last longer than the Vaughn Ventus SLR4 Pro Carbon.  I certainly wouldn’t have any concerns that this C/A will break down, but I mention it as something to be aware of.

CCM EFlex 6 Pro Overall

This is a premium goalie chest protector.  It offer great mobility, its breathable and comfortable.  A little on the pricey end and might not quite compare to Vaughn in terms of durability, but you shouldn’t have any concerns there.

Brian’s Optik 3 Pro

The Brian’s Optik 3 Pro C/A protector is another protector that is built like a tank.  Brian’s gear is super durable too.

Advantages

Brian’s makes high end goalie gear.  Their Optik 3 Pro C/A falls under that category.  It’s built like a brick house – which is to say that it is super protective.

It features a squarish design that helps cover more space in the goal net.  It tapers down towards the stomach to help with mobility and movement.  There is HD foam protecting the chest and stomach area.

The Optik 3 Pro has a dual point Velcro system so you can adjust the height of the floaters on the chest portion.

There is a reinforced smart strap system that helps with getting a comfortable fit.

The arms have a one-piece design on the forearm and bicep sections.  The shoulders have a laced adjustment system so you can make adjustments.

And this chest protector is built to last.  Having worn Brian’s gear I can comfortably say that it is high quality equipment.  I would expect this chest protector to last many seasons.

Disadvantages

Besides that its expensive, the Optik 3 Pro, because its so protective, might offer a little less mobility than some of the other high-end chest protectors available.

Brian’s Optik 3 Pro Overall

If you’re looking for a highly protective and durable chest and arm protector, this is an excellent option.  Brian’s has a strong reputation for a reason.  It’s pretty pricey, and maybe slightly less mobile than others, but makes up for it with top-tier protection.

Warrior Ritual X4 Pro

Perhaps a choice a little off the radar, but Warrior makes excellent goalie equipment, which is why the Ritual X4 Pro is next on our list.  While I would probably lean towards Vaughn over Warrior based on reputation (with chest protectors), there are a lot of good reasons as to why you might Warrior.

Advantages

First of all, this chest protector is lightweight, yet protective.  It features HyperComp reinforced floaters in the shoulders.

The chest has a block design (similar to that of the Brian’s Optik 3 Pro) that is highly protective.  The sides and chest have removable pad extensions to increase coverage and improve mobility.

The arms have Shockshield bicep protection, AxyFlex Light technology (for mobility) and a HyperComp cap (for more protection).  The arms are reinforced with X-foam to help keep the elbow floaters from taking stingers from pucks.

The backplate has a multi-point adjustable system so you can get the right fit – which is obviously very important when playing goalie.

Overall this is a lightweight, protective and mobile goalie chest protector.

Disadvantages

The price is expensive and if you’re paying a decent amount of cash for a chest protector it’s hard to not go with a proven product.

I love Warrior equipment (I’ve always thought that they don’t get enough love from the goalie community), but Vaughn just makes such a good chest protector that it’s tough to not recommend them.

Going this route is a little bit off the beaten path, a little different – which makes it a little harder to recommend.

Warrior Ritual X4 Pro Overall

The Ritual X4 Pro is a top-of-the-line chest and arm protector for goalies.  But it doesn’t quite get the attention that other brands get.  It offers quality protection and mobility, with very good adjustability.

Bauer Vapor Hyperlite 2

The Bauer Vapor Hyperlite 2 chest and arm protector is the next best C/A protector of the year.

Advantages

This is a very lightweight goalie chest protector.  It’s mobility is truly one of the best, comparable with that of the CCM EFlex 6 Pro C/A.  It is arguably the lightest in terms of weight, chest protector you can get right now.

The sternum has an external piece that features expanding floaters to help absorb pucks more effectively.  It’s protective, yet doesn’t limit movement.  It moves, expands and retracts with you so that you don’t feel like you’re stuck.

The stomach and side are protected with Shock-Lite foam. The core system is entirely movable so you can adjust it for your liking.

The arms are fully removable so you can get the best fit for you.  The arms feature FuseComp material throughout, while the floaters have Shock-Lite foam for good protection and again, mobility and movement.

And the backplate has a ThermoCore liner which is designed to help keep you cool in the net.

Disadvantages

Similar to the other high-end C/A protectors on the list, it’ll cost you a pretty penny.  Not cheap.

There are some other disadvantages with the Hyperlite 2 chest and arm protector though.  Because its so lightweight and designed for mobility, there are some protection concerns.  Particularly near the collar and tops of the shoulders.  This is largely concerning when you’re spending top dollar for goalie equipment.

And then durability is another aspect that I don’t want to ignore.  Don’t get me wrong, Bauer makes some of the highest performing goalie equipment on the market.  I wore Bauer pads for years and can say that they’re not the most durable of equipment out there.

It’s hard to justify spending hundreds of dollars just for it to break down across a single season.  I can’t say with certainty that this will happen – it may end up being very durable, but it is a concern.  Go with the Vaughn Ventus SLR4 Pro if you want durable.

Bauer Vapor Hyperlite 2 Overall

This is one of the lightest, most mobile and comfortable chest protector available today.  It does come at the cost of potential protection and durability concerns though.  If money is no concern, this is a good chest protector, but there are better in my opinion.

What To Look For In A Chest Protector

A couple aspects or features that you want in your chest protector are protection, mobility, comfort, adjustability, and durability. There are a couple other features such as weight and bulkiness that should be considered as well.

Starting off with protection

In most goalie chest protectors whether it be one used by NHLers or just a standard $200 chesty, it will typically be made of HD foam. Some brands will use carbon, composite, kevlar or other something else that they’ve created separately from the pack of goalie brands. But, they will mostly be made of HD foam.

So what makes a chest protector good bad or the best?

It really comes down to the design of the chest protector and the quality of foam. The better and higher quality of foam will obviously result in a better protected chest protector. But, the more important of the two is design.

You see, with different designs of chest protectors, you can add more foam in one place or another, or stack foam on top of each other. The brand can then add other, stronger materials if they would like to, to increase the impact absorption.

But, it’s not necessarily needed. So really it’s all in the design of the chest protector that makes the difference from an elite protective chest protector and one that isn’t.

As goalies, most of us have probably worn a chest protector that had weak padding and hurt like crazy when pucks bounced off the chest. Protection is the most important thing to look for in buying a chest protector. Protection = design. But protection isn’t the only reason that design plays a large role in.

Mobility

Mobility is huge because if you can’t see the puck, or move around in your gear – you can’t stop the puck. Save percentages will drop. You confidence will drop. These are problems that can easily be solved. Get yourself a mobile chest protector. It’s easy!  (But not cheap)

Durability

Durability in a chest protector is important. Think about it, this is the one piece of equipment that separates your upper body from pucks moving at 50+ mph speeds. If your chest protector isn’t durable, it will break down.

Quickly, you will start to feel the wrath of the pucks, slamming into your stomach.

Your cheap $200 dollar chest protector will fall apart. The game of hockey will slowly become less enjoyable. But again, it doesn’t have to be like this. If you scroll up a little bit, choose of those chest protectors and buy it, you won’t have these problems.

Comfort

One of the final “big” category to consider when buying a new goalie chest protector is comfort.

How well does it feel while playing hockey in? Any scratching? How about cooling/ ventilation?

Can you adjust so you can create the best possible feel that you would like? These are all questions to consider. I said it earlier, but I would personally rather play goalie in a chest protector that fits me and feels good. There’s no reason for it not to be like that.

Goalie Chest Protector Sizing Guide

Each goalie pad manufacturer has their own specifications when it comes to sizing equipment. Listed below you’ll find the size guides for each major chest protector manufacturer. Sizing a chest protector for goalies isn’t actually as hard as you’d think. While many of the manufactruers use different ways of sizing their chest protectors, the same two measurements come in to play every time. Chest width and arm length.

How to size a goalies chest protector?

To find out which size chest protector a goalie wear, use a tape measure to determine the width of the chest from armpit to armpit, and the length of the arms (shoulder to wrist). Then, use the correct chest protector size guide from whichever gear manufacturer you’ll be using, below.

Bauer Goalie Chest Protector Sizing Chart

Vaughn Chest Protector Size Chart

CCM Chest Protector Size Chart

That’s what we have to say about the best goalie chest protectors

Your chest and arm protection is absolutely critical for your performance between the pipes. There are a couple ways you could do this. Buy a chest protector that is great right from the get go, have fun, stop pucks and feel good.

Or, get a chest protector that isn’t worth much, have fun for a little bit, then realize that there is some scratching under the arm, pucks feel like they’re bouncing directly off your chest, and ultimately your save percentage goes down.

Now, playing goalie isn’t all about save percentage, but hockey is whole lot more fun when you are stopping pucks, rather than getting scored on every time. There’s a reason that pros use $500-$700 dollar chest protectors.

Yes, they are standing in front of 100 mph shots, but also they have huge benefits. The choice is yours, you know where I stand!

Thanks for reading.