HART Technology — What Makes It Different
Every other goalie chest protector on the market uses some combination of standard foam and rigid plastic to absorb shot impact. Foam compresses on impact but does not efficiently disperse energy — it absorbs the initial blow but transmits residual force to your body. Rigid plastic deflects shots but does not absorb energy at all — it redirects it. Neither approach comes close to what HART technology does.
HART — High Acceleration Reduction Technology — is a patented 4-layer composite made with aramid fiber (the same high-performance fiber used in body armor), ImpacShield, Accelleron, and Airilon. Each layer plays a specific role in absorbing, dispersing, and dissipating impact energy. The result is a protection system that outperforms standard foam and plastic on high-velocity impacts at a level significant enough that Tufts Medical Center ran a peer-reviewed study specifically to verify it. That study confirmed HART's effectiveness — and it is the only lacrosse chest protector that can make that claim.
Commotio Cordis — Why This Matters More Than Anything Else
Commotio cordis is sudden cardiac arrest caused by a blunt impact to the chest at a specific moment in the heart's electrical cycle. It does not require a high-force blow — a lacrosse ball traveling at normal shot speed hitting the chest at the wrong millisecond can trigger it. It is a real risk for lacrosse goalies who take point-blank shots to the chest in every practice and every game.
The FDA has issued an IFU — Instructions for Use — claim for HART CC pads specifically recognizing their role in reducing commotio cordis risk. This is not a marketing claim. It is a regulatory recognition from the FDA that no other lacrosse chest protector has earned. If you are a goalie or the parent of a goalie and you are choosing between chest protectors, the FDA-recognized commotio cordis protection from the Unequal CC is the most important differentiator on the market. No other pad can say what this one can.
HART Protection Zone — Coverage Where It Counts
The HART protection zone in the Unequal CC covers the sternum and the left side of the chest — the precise area that is most vulnerable to commotio cordis impacts. This is not a general protection zone that covers the whole chest with average protection everywhere. It is targeted engineering that puts the most advanced protection material available exactly where it needs to be.
The removable left rib pad extends this protection to the glove-side ribs — an area that most standard chest protectors leave exposed. PLL goalie Matt Deluca described this as one of the most important features after years of playing with the Unequal — close-range shots to the glove-side ribs are one of the most common impacts a goalie takes and standard pads simply do not cover that zone.
Non-Restrictive Narrow Design
One of the most common complaints goalies have about their chest protectors is that the padding restricts their stick handling and arm movement — particularly on overhead saves and quick clears. Hall of Fame goalie Brian Dougherty worked directly with Unequal to design the CC's narrow profile specifically to eliminate this problem. The chest pad sits close to the body without the bulk that forces your arms into unnatural positions during play.
The lightweight shoulder caps on the CC protect against high shots while being small enough that they do not interfere with overhead arm movement. The removable abdominal extender pad protects the stomach during play and can be removed for increased ventilation when you want it. The three-strap system locks the pad in place so it does not shift or ride up during dives, clears, and movement around the crease.
How to Size the Unequal CC
Sizing the Unequal CC correctly is critical — this is not a chest protector you size like an apparel item. The manufacturer explicitly warns against assuming your normal size. You must measure your chest circumference by placing a tape measure under your arms at the fullest part of your chest and wrapping it around your body until your fingers meet. Use that measurement against Unequal's sizing chart to determine whether you are a Small, Medium, or Large. Players who are 5'8" to 6'2" tall and weigh between 145 and 155 pounds may still be sized as Small. When in doubt size up — maximum coverage is the priority.
Who Is It For?
- A serious lacrosse goalie at any level
- A parent buying for a goalie and prioritizing safety above all else
- A goalie who takes high-velocity shots at the chest regularly
- Someone upgrading from a standard foam-based chest protector
- A goalie who wants the only FDA-recognized CC chest protection
- A beginner goalie on a tight budget — more affordable options exist
- A field player — this is goalie-specific protection
- A player who needs maximum side coverage over targeted protection
How It Compares
| Chest Protector | Price | CC Protection | Certification | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unequal Goalie CC | $159.95 | FDA IFU claim | SEI / NOCSAE | Elite goalies all levels |
| Maverik Max EKG | $169.99 | EKG foam | NOCSAE ND200-22 | Elite goalies |
| STX Shield 600 | $149.99 | Standard foam | NOCSAE | Advanced goalies |
| STX Shield 200 | $79.99 | Basic foam | NOCSAE | Youth / Beginner goalies |
Final Verdict
The Unequal Goalie CC is the most important piece of protective equipment a lacrosse goalie can own. No other chest protector has FDA recognition for commotio cordis risk reduction. No other has a Tufts Medical Center peer-reviewed study confirming its effectiveness. No other uses HART technology. At $159.95 it is a premium investment — but for a position where a shot to the chest can have life-altering consequences, there is no more important place to spend money on quality. Goalies who switch to the Unequal CC from standard chest protectors consistently describe it as the best equipment decision they have ever made.