Abstract: A shock distributing panel for use in protective athletic sportswear is disclosed. The shock distributing panel comprises an outer flexible sheet, an inner flexible sheet spaced from the outer sheet, and a center flexible sheet dispersed between the inner sheet and the outer sheet. A plurality of shock distributing bellows are disposed between the outer sheet and the center sheet, and between the inner sheet and the center sheet. The bellows are spaced apart in alternate rows forming a honey comb arrangement with a void between bellows. The bellows disposed between the outer sheet and the inner sheet are axially centered over the void between bellows of the inner sheet and the center sheet. Light weight protective garments are disclosed for the upper body and lower body of athletes made from the panel of the present invention.