• Football can be a very tough and physically challenging sport. Athletes who play the game are at risk for physical damage during the forceful physical contact made with opponents. This makes the shoulder pads that they wear a key protective piece of necessary equipment. But shoulder pads can be bulky, too, weighing a runner down, and very warm, increasing body heat.
  
  

Weight

• Football shoulder pad manufacturer Impact and competitor Riddell offer lightweight shoulder pad options. Riddell goes one step further, offering customized shoulder pads that can be as light as the player wants, in accordance with their safety considerations.
  
  Both manufacturers use technology and materials that lend themselves to producing a shoulder pad that is lighter and easier for athletes to use. Impact and Riddell also insist that their pads "do the job" out on the field in regards to protecting the athlete from physical damage.
  
  

Collisions

• Impact promotes shoulder pads geared to protect specific parts of the body from impact, enabling players to select gear that corresponds to the role they play in the game. Impact's shoulder pad model 211 covers more of the chest while their model 221 provides more coverage on the shoulder area. And in spite of the fact that the padding is thinner than most shoulder pads (to lighten the load), Riddell says it still offers excellent impact protection.
  
  Riddell's claim-to-fame in regards to protecting players from game impact is something they call "air management." Their pads utilize air in order to distribute the energy from impact throughout the pad --- not just in one location. Their "STAC System" works to redirect the impact energy away from shoulder areas. Diffusing the impact force is Riddell's method of reducing player injury.
  
  

Temperature

• Even lightweight shoulder pads can become heat-producing (or heat-trapping) during a football game. As the player's body is exerted, body temperature needs to be reduced to eliminate heat stroke. Impact, therefore, uses breathable pad materials to ensure athletes remain cool under pressure and exertion rather than being insulated.
  
  Riddell does not address the temperature issue specifically, in regards to their shoulder pads. Instead, they emphasize their pads are lightweight, which means less thickness in the padding --- and less heat is trapped as a result.