McDavid's patented HexPad technology is intended to deliver super lightweight and breathable protection to absorb and dissipate impact. The result is uncompromising comfort and protection at all times. McDavid HexPad Technology is protection that flexes and moves with your body to enhance performance basically providing functional support and protection. It's the first in its field for protection apparel while there are some similar looking products out now.  This is a preliminary review prior to testing the product in comparison to the new products by other brands.

McDavid’s offerings range from heavy-duty to lightweight protection and they offer pants, shorts, shirts, and accessories. Finding the appropriate piece depends on your intended sport.

From the manufacturer

• SUPERLIGHT WEIGHT
  HexPad utilizes patented honeycomb foam that reduces bulk and breathes to keep you cool. Plus it's significantly lighter than the competition.
• SNUG FIT PROTECTS
  HexPad's are individually laminated into compression fabric to move with your body for protection at all times, while providing the ultimate in second-skin comfort.
• ABSORBS BLUNT IMPACT
  Grid of hexagonal mini pads absorbs impact and dissipates energy across the surface area.
• MODERATE BODY HEAT AND STAY DRY
  All McDavid compression apparel features fabric with an active moisture management system that pulls moisture through the fabric so it evaporates quicker and you stay cool and dry.

McDavid HexPad Gear

HexPad Features and benefits

Our interviews turned up players who were pleased with the durability. They loved the fact the padding was lightweight, less bulky and more flexible than traditional padding. Flexible and functional support is the latest rage with compression gear to kinesiology tape. Most felt the sizing charts were accurate and that the sizes offered covered what they needed.

The science behind HexPads. What are they made of?
This revolutionary new product is a hex or five-sided sort of honeycomb style padding that features hundreds of individual compact pads permanently bonded between two layers of moisture transport 4-way stretch compression fabric. Think of it as ‘Under Armour’ on steroids.

The lightweight breathable, athletic foam is patented and conforms to and stretches with your body for continuous protection. Again, functional support and protection. It is already known that compression fabric (think cw-x and under armour) supports large muscle groups to reduce muscle pulls and fatigue. Most athletes are aware of those benefits.

The product is also intended to move with your body to prevent skin irritations, chaffing, and abrasions.

What is Hydravent hDc moisture management technology?

This technology is semi permanent technology intended to supply heat control, comfort and performance. Basically, the hDc is topically applied to the fabric and transports sweat so you stay cooler and drier. Tests reported by the manufacturer state that the fabric turned out to be 8 degrees cooler than the leading competitor and helped prevent thermal shock by keeping players better hydrated.

McDavid Hexpad Complaints? Order the right product for your sport!

So far the only complaints have been the result of athletes who ordered the wrong type of product for their sport. For example, players have made the mistake of purchasing the thinner pair used for basketball when they needed the “Dual Density Hexpad Thudd short with extended thigh”. These wrap to protect the back of the legs. We can’t go over every need for every sport since their lines is overwhelmingly comprehensive. But do your homework and get the padding that suits your sport and position.

Second most popular complaint is the price although preliminary results have shows that once players recover from sticker shock they are delighted with the product.

McDavid Hexpad shorts has proven surprisingly popular for basketball

As sport that has not traditionally been a ‘pad’ sport is now embracing these big time. As basketball becomes more of a contact sport, players are looking for flexible protection against hits. This is by far the most enthusiastic group we’ve run into. They love the slim, lightweight design and mentioned in particular the durability even after multiple washes. Parents of high school players appreciated them just as much and were more than happy to shell out the money to prevent riskier and more costly injuries.

High school football players and Hexpads

A number of high schools around the country have not yet adopted these pads. Many high schools have to adhere to an approved equipment list for protective gear for insurance reasons. So far, these have not made it on a lot of these lists due to the process it takes to get them them approved. So it was difficult to get much in the way of results with this group for football.

However, basketball isn’t so restrictive since a protective gear list is not a traditional in this sport. Other than a cup or mouth guard. Hexpads under soccer shorts was also easier to get feedback compared with football. And perhaps that is why the basketball group was so enthusiastic. There are also more extended teams of these sports while club side football is less common in teenage years.

HexPad Vs Traditional Pads. Conforms, Cooler, Stays in place

HexPads stretch, move and conform to your body particularly around curves where regular pads will not. These are less binding. And because they are sewn in, they don't move around so players don't have to keep adjusting the padding. The padding is permanent and won't wash out.

HexPad vs Nike

HexPad lists their lightweight thudd shorts at 5.5oz. Nike doesn’t list a weight. And while we can’t say we’ve done extensive side-by-side trials of these two brands. We’re not so impressed with Nike here due to the inconsistency overall in their sizing due to outsourcing to so many vendors. The Nikes list price is more and given that their brand hinges heavily on marketing and image, we’d put our bets on McDavid. Rumor has it that the McDavids outlast the Nikes. We don’t yet have enough data to prove that either way so you’d have to let us know.

But again, given that their running shoes and most of their clothing is more about fashion than actual function, we’d have to err on the side of McDavid. Do leave your opinions below. (Vindictive manufacturer representative responses will be deleted. We’re looking for opinions of athletes and coaches.)