I've moved from a traditional style of taekwondo to a more sports focussed taekwondo school. After taking a hard hit at training last week, I've come to realize that I really need to get some kind of breast protection. I have no idea what to look for! What do you use? Must be comfortable, allow free range of motion, and fit under the dobok and WTF chest guard.
There are two main types as far as I know. One is a plastic shell to cover both breasts that slips into something like a sports bra. Solid plastic, good protection in some ways, but uncomfortable and hot. The other has a separate protector for each breast. Again, some slip into a something like sports bra, but some are built in to the bra.
All the females at my Club wear the style shown in the 3rd thumbnail, which @Mitch has shared above, and so far, all are very happy with them. Travess
In my club we don't spar that often, but when something is announced I do wear a chest protector - one pretty similar to Mitch's first thumbnail - you have a normal sports bra and if needed, you slip in two plastic pieces. I don't know about others, but they are comfortable to wear and move around in. A hard hit will hurt, too, but from what I can tell they absorb much of the impact, so I can only recommend them, too.
Thanks everyone! I've decided on this one: http://www.qpsport.co.nz/index.php?route=product/product&path=63&product_id=51 Will report back after it arrives and I've used it.
Option #3 is very common among sport fencers, where you take a lot of very hard, very focused impacts to the chest (especially epee).