Shock Absorbing Base vs Umpire's Inside Chest Protector: which is safer?

Macgregor Shock Absorbing Base is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Our pick

MacGregor

Shock Absorbing Base

PFAS grade

D 65/100

Overall grade

F 53/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

foam or elastomer cushioning in shoe base

Confidence

45%

PossibleFoam degradation and off-gassing

PossibleAdhesive and binder leachables

PossibleFormaldehyde resins in binders

Why this grade

MacGregor

Umpire's Inside Chest Protector

PFAS grade

D 65/100

Overall grade

F 39/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 5

Material

foam padding, cotton/poly blend outer shell

Confidence

72%

PossibleFormaldehyde resins in fabric finishing

ReportedFoam degradation and particle shedding

PossibleAzo dyes in outer shell coloring

Why this 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