Century Lightweight Chest Guard vs. Century P2 Chest Guard vs. ProForce Ultra Lite Chest Guard vs. ProForce Lightning Sports Body Guard

User Review

When selecting a chest guard for martial arts, it’s important to consider factors such as comfort, mobility, durability, and protection. I have had the opportunity to use the Century Lightweight Chest Guard, the Century P2 Chest Guard, the ProForce Ultra Lite Chest Guard, and the ProForce Lightning Sports Body Guard. While all of these options provide some level of protection, some models sacrifice comfort and durability, making them poor long-term choices. Below is a breakdown of how each option stacks up.

Fit & Comfort

Century Lightweight Chest Guard: This is the best-fitting option of the four. It naturally conforms to your body, providing a comfortable and secure fit without excessive bulk. It also helps keep you cooler during training, making it a great choice for longer sessions.

Century P2 Chest Guard: This guard has a poor fit around the shoulders. Its rigid design does not contour well to the upper body, and the lack of adjustability complicates achieving a proper fit. This can cause discomfort, particularly during extended use.

ProForce Ultra Lite Chest Guard: The biggest drawback is its extremely poor sizing. At 6 feet tall and 185 lbs, I ordered an X-Large, yet it feels like it was intended for a child. To make matters worse, the ProForce website does not provide a fit chart, making it hard to determine the correct size before purchasing.

ProForce Lightning Sports Body Guard: Similar to the P2, this guard has a poor fit. It feels bulky and restrictive, impacting mobility. The lack of flexibility makes it uncomfortable for dynamic sparring or training that requires movement.

Mobility & Flexibility

Century Lightweight Chest Guard: This is the best option for unrestricted movement. It allows natural mobility, making it easy to execute kicks, blocks, and fast-paced techniques.

Century P2 Chest Guard: This model feels stiff and restrictive, particularly due to its poor shoulder fit. It can hinder movement, making it less than ideal for those who prioritize agility.

ProForce Ultra Lite Chest Guard: Although it should theoretically provide mobility similar to the Century Lightweight Guard, its poor fit severely impacts its functionality.

ProForce Lightning Sports Body Guard: It affects mobility similarly to the P2. It feels rigid and bulky, making it harder to perform fast movements and fluid techniques.

Protection & Impact Absorption

Century P2 Chest Guard: This is the best option for absorbing heavy blows. If maximum protection is your main goal, this is the one to consider, though it does come at the expense of comfort and mobility.

ProForce Lightning Sports Body Guard: This guard offers protection similar to the P2, effectively absorbing impacts. However, its durability issues (discussed below) make it a weaker choice overall.

Century Lightweight Chest Guard: While not as protective as the P2, it still offers solid impact resistance while being much more comfortable and breathable.

ProForce Ultra Lite Chest Guard: It is difficult to assess its protection properly due to poor fit. If it fits correctly, it would likely provide protection similar to that of the Century Lightweight Guard.

Durability & Build Quality

• Century Lightweight & P2 Chest Guards: Both are well-made and durable over time. The material does not degrade quickly, even with repeated use.
• ProForce Ultra Lite Chest Guard: Aside from fit issues, the build quality is decent, although it does not feel as durable as the Century options.
• ProForce Lightning Sports Body Guard: This guard has significant durability issues. I’ve noticed it peels and cracks in areas where it bends or is stressed. Additionally, the attachment points for the straps are weak, which can lead to breakage, rendering the chest guard useless. This significantly reduces its lifespan, making it a poor investment compared to the sturdier Century models.

Final Verdict