Faq

Who are Quality Performers or QP-Sport?

Based in Taranaki, New Zealand, our company has been making and exporting women's chest guards since 1981. For more information about our company, please see the About page on this website.

MaxiGuard and EconoGuard look "hard". Is the plastic hard or soft?.

The guards for both products are made from Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) which is soft yet very strong. It is much softer than it appears and the unique and accurate shape of the guards leads to a neat and comfortable fit.

Are your Chest Guards CE certified, and what does this mean?

Yes, EconoGuard, MaxiGuard and CoolGuard are all CE certified.

The CE mark is a mandatory European marking for certain product groups to indicate conformity with the essential health and safety requirements set out in European Directives. To permit the use of a CE mark on a product, proof that the item meets the relevant requirements must be documented. Sometimes this is achieved using an external test house which evaluates the product and its documentation.

In the case of Chest Guards, the products are tested to ensure they exceed requirements for point and compression impacts.

Why wear a Chest Guard?

You only have one body, and anything you can do to prevent injury is a good thing. We know that all women playing sport wear sports bras, and we believe that if our Chest Guards;

1. Are as comfortable to wear as regular sports bras
2. Are university proven to reduce breast bounce
3. Are university proven to be cooler to wear than regular sports bras
4. Offer protection as well as support
5. Are no more expensive than regular sports bras
6. Improve your performance because knowing you are protected you play with more confidence
7. Experts recommend protection is better than no protection as there may be a link with breast impact injuries and breast cancer

THEN WHY WOULDN’T YOU WEAR A CHEST GUARD?

How many sizes are available?

EconoGuard and MaxiGuard are made in 9 sizes but women's bodies are not uniform in size and shape! If you are unable to achieve the right fit, even after some shape change as explained here, then it may be necessary to wear a bra of suitable thickness under the guard to achieve a sound fit.

CoolGuard is made in 6 sizes.

Should I wear anything under the Chest Guard?

For CoolGuard and MaxiGuard, no, as these guards comprise of a protector and a special bra/ top that holds the protectors in place.

For EconoGuard we recommend a light singlet or t-shirt is worn under the EconoGuard.

What color bra tops are available?

The covers for CoolGuard and MaxiGuard is available in black and white.

Is the plastic guard cold against the skin?

With MaxiGuard the plastic guard is held between two layers of "high tech" Tactel moisture moving fabric. Therefore there is no contact by the plastic guard with the skin.

With EconoGuard it is best to wear a singlet, t-shirt or bra under the guard to reduce skin contact and any chance of chafing.

With CoolGuard the plastic or Super (soft foam) inserts are held between two layers of fabric in the specially designed pockets of the bra away from the skin.

Why are MaxiGuard and EconoGuard so popular for Martial Arts and Fencing?

These sports have found that MaxiGuard and EconoGuard meet the requirements of the sport for protection. The neat fit of the guards mean that they are virtually undetectable under the tight uniforms worn by women in these sports. The bonus is that the guards retain the feminine shape of the woman and yet protect this sensitive area of the anatomy. Not only the breasts, but the sternum, which if broken can rupture the lungs or heart. They do NOT restrict body or arm movement as they are very flexible.

Are there any endorsements of the guards?

It could be said that the many thousands sold throughout the world over the last 25+ years is sound testament to their quality and effectiveness, but we also have a number of reviews published on this site.

I have seen similar products with other brand names. Are they made by QP-Sport?

MaxiGuard's and CoolGuards are also sold with Allstar, Blitz, Matsuru, Budo Nord, Cimac, Kamikaze, Kwon, Playwell, Top Ten and other brands. We are proud to be associated with these widely respected companies. EconoGuard is also sold under several brand names.

There are several copies of our products made in China, Taiwan, Pakistan and other countries but beware!. We consider this a nice form of flattery but suggest that quality is better than price!!!! Chest guards are SAFETY products ! Have the copies passed the strict CE standards test's? Are they endorsed by world sporting associations?. Are they made from inferior re-cycled plastic as some copies available in USA? Nobody ever regretted buying quality when safety is involved.

Which of the QP-Sport guards is best for my sport?

Martial Arts. For most styles either MaxiGuard or EconoGuard for full protection. CoolGuard is great for light sparring or fitness training or heavier styles if using the new Super inserts. For the non contact styles CoolGuard may offer sufficient protection with the standard plastic inserts.

Fencing. Either MaxiGuard or EconoGuard. Almost every Fencing supply company in Europe, America and Canada carries one or both of these guards. Also MasterGuard for men and boys.

Boxing. We recommend MaxiGuard due to the moisture moving properties in hot competition, but we know some women prefer to use CoolGuard.

Paintball / Skirmish, MaxiGuard is great. No pain !!

Soccer, CoolGuard is preferred because it is so comfortable, yet the protection offered enhances confidence.

Rugby. Either MaxiGuard or CoolGuard.

Other sports. The CoolGuard is designed to be worn in the many other sports where some contact to the breasts can occur and where the MaxiGuard could be too hot if the sport is of longer duration than Fencing or Martial Arts. The new CoolGuard Super inserts are great for all sports. Many women use CoolGuard in Basketball, Netball, or as additional protection in Hockey and Lacrosse.

Is there any link to breast cancer from breast injury?

The few research studies completed on this topic can not conclusively determine whether there is any link to breast cancer from a breast injury. Our thoughts are that any protection is therefore better than none.

Can I remove the protective elements while I am still wearing the MaxiGuard or CoolGuard Bra?

Yes, you can easily insert and remove the CoolGuard or MaxiGuard protector without having to remove the bra.