Hip Protector Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product Type (Soft Hip Protectors, Hard Hip Protectors), By Application (Hospital, Nursing Home, Training Center, Other), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 47.89 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.32%
Fastest Growing Segment	Soft Hip Protectors
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 61.72 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Hip Protector Market will grow from USD 47.89 Billion in 2025 to USD 61.72 Billion by 2031 at a 4.32% CAGR. Hip protectors are specialized medical garments incorporating impact-absorbing pads or rigid shields positioned over the greater trochanter to attenuate impact forces and reduce the risk of proximal femoral fractures during falls. The market is primarily propelled by the globally aging demographic and the concurrent rise in osteoporosis prevalence which significantly heightens the susceptibility of the elderly to fall-related injuries. Additionally, the escalating economic burden of hip fracture treatments on healthcare systems incentivizes the adoption of these preventive cost-saving devices in institutional settings such as long-term care facilities and nursing homes to mitigate financial liability and improve patient safety.

A significant challenge impeding broader market expansion is low user compliance arising from physical discomfort and aesthetic dissatisfaction with the garments which often leads to poor adherence among community-dwelling seniors. This resistance remains a critical barrier despite the growing incidence of injuries that validates the necessity for effective protection. Illustrating this escalating burden, according to the Royal College of Physicians, in 2024, over 71,800 hip fracture cases were recorded across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, representing a marked increase that underscores the urgent requirement for preventive strategies.

Key Market Drivers

The rapid expansion of the global geriatric population serves as the primary catalyst for the sustained growth of the hip protector market, as this demographic is inherently more prone to mobility challenges and fall risks. As life expectancy increases, the sheer volume of elderly individuals susceptible to falls creates a substantial base of demand for preventive medical garments. This demographic shift compels healthcare systems to prioritize preventive measures to manage the escalating care requirements of aging societies. According to the World Health Organization, February 2025, in the 'Ageing and health' fact sheet, the number of people aged 60 and older worldwide is projected to increase from 1.1 billion in 2023 to 1.4 billion by 2030. This proliferation of the target demographic directly correlates with the need for effective impact-attenuating devices in both home care and institutional settings.

Concurrently, the rising prevalence of osteoporosis and bone density disorders significantly amplifies the market necessity, as these conditions exacerbate the severity of injuries resulting from minor falls. The fragility associated with osteoporotic bone structures makes the consequences of falls clinically severe, often leading to recurrent fractures that hip protectors are designed to mitigate. According to the British Orthopaedic Association, September 2025, in the '2025 National Hip Fracture Database report', one in four patients will sustain another major fragility fracture within five years of their first. This high recurrence rate underscores the critical role of hip protectors in secondary prevention strategies. Highlighting the operational burden these injuries place on acute care, according to Healthcare Conferences UK, June 2025, in the 'NHFD Annual Report 2024: Rising Hip Fracture' review, hip fracture continues to be the leading cause of emergency surgery admissions in older people, with more than 200 cases a day.

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Key Market Challenges

User compliance remains a primary obstacle restricting the commercial expansion of the global hip protector market. Many potential users, particularly community-dwelling seniors, frequently refuse to wear these garments due to physical discomfort caused by rigid padding, heat retention, or skin irritation, alongside concerns regarding the aesthetic bulkiness of the protectors under clothing. This lack of adherence directly undermines the real-world efficacy of the devices, creating a disconnect between the theoretical benefits of impact attenuation and the actual reduction of injury rates in daily practice.

Consequently, institutional buyers and healthcare providers often hesitate to allocate budgets for these products, fearing that capital investment will result in unused inventory rather than improved patient outcomes. This hesitation significantly dampens market volume despite the high prevalence of fall-related incidents. Highlighting the persistent injury burden that these devices fail to mitigate due to non-use, according to the Australian and New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry, in 2024, hospitals across the region recorded over 16,700 hip fractures among older adults. This substantial figure illustrates a continued market gap where the potential for injury prevention is neutralized by the challenge of user acceptance.

Key Market Trends

The Integration of Active Smart Sensor Technology is fundamentally reshaping the Global Hip Protector Market by transitioning the standard of care from passive padding to proactive injury mitigation. Manufacturers are increasingly embedding advanced motion-sensing algorithms and wearable airbags into garments, enabling devices to detect fall trajectories in real-time and inflate instantly to cushion the greater trochanter. This technological evolution significantly enhances protective efficacy, particularly for high-risk seniors who require superior impact attenuation beyond what traditional foam can offer. Validating the potential of this technology, according to ActiveProtective Technologies, April 2025, in the 'ActiveProtective Receives FDA Marketing Authorization for the Tango Belt' press release, their smart wearable device demonstrated a 91% reduction in fall-induced hip fractures during multicenter clinical studies when compared to standard care protocols alone.

Simultaneously, the Rising Preference for Soft and Hybrid Material Composites is addressing the persistent challenge of user non-compliance caused by the discomfort of rigid shells. Innovations in material science, particularly the use of 3D-printed structures and breathable thermoplastics, allow for the production of highly flexible, lightweight protectors that maintain robust safety profiles without the aesthetic bulk that deters community adoption. This shift towards comfort-centric engineering is vital for improving adherence rates among independent elderly users. Illustrating this advancement, according to the National Institutes of Health, December 2025, in the 'Enhancing User Compliance of Wearable Hip Protectors' study, a newly developed 3D-printed soft protector weighing just 48g achieved a 42% force attenuation, confirming that modern composite designs can effectively balance high-performance impact dampening with the physical comfort required for daily wear.

Segmental Insights

The Soft Hip Protectors segment is the fastest growing category within the global market due to superior user compliance and enhanced comfort levels. Unlike rigid shells, these protectors employ energy absorbing materials that allow for greater flexibility and ease of movement, addressing the critical issue of adherence among elderly users. High rejection rates associated with hard protectors during sleep or rest have shifted preference toward soft variants in nursing care facilities. Consequently, healthcare providers are prioritizing these products to ensure consistent usage and effective injury prevention protocols.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global hip protector market driven by a growing geriatric demographic and the increasing prevalence of osteoporosis. The region benefits from established healthcare infrastructure that facilitates widespread product adoption and patient education regarding fall prevention. Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding high fall rates among seniors highlight the critical need for these injury prevention solutions. Additionally, supportive reimbursement frameworks and the concentration of key manufacturers in the United States enable broader accessibility, ensuring steady market progression throughout the region.

Recent Developments

• In December 2025, Briggs Health Solutions launched the Smart Hip Guardian, a wearable airbag belt designed to protect the hips of older adults during falls. The device was registered as a Class II medical device with the FDA and featured patented sensors and algorithms capable of distinguishing between normal daily activities and actual falls. When a fall was detected, the system deployed air-defense padding in 0.2 seconds to absorb and redirect impact force away from the hip joint. The company reported that third-party testing indicated an 84% reduction in impact force compared to an unprotected fall. The product was designed to be worn day and night, weighing under two pounds and fitting discreetly under loose clothing.
• In October 2025, Azimut Medical revealed a new intelligent protective garment designed to prevent hip fractures in the elderly population. The Montreal-based company developed the device, named Air-Sequr, which utilized embedded sensors and edge artificial intelligence to detect falls in milliseconds. Upon detection, the system was engineered to instantly deploy airbags around the hips to absorb the impact. Unlike traditional rigid hip protectors, this new solution was designed to be lightweight, washable, and discreetly integrated into everyday clothing. The company announced that the technology was moving from pilot status to commercialization following the receipt of an entrepreneurship award that provided funding for further trials and deployment in residences.
• In May 2025, ActiveProtective Technologies entered into a strategic partnership with Vigilant Ops, a provider of software bill of materials (SBOM) lifecycle management solutions. This collaboration aimed to strengthen the cybersecurity framework and regulatory compliance of the Tango Belt. Under the agreement, Vigilant Ops was tasked with managing and maintaining the software integrity of the wearable device across its product lifecycle, ensuring alignment with FDA cybersecurity expectations. The Director of Operations at ActiveProtective Technologies stated that the partnership was essential for navigating regulatory complexities and maintaining a focus on patient safety as adoption rates for the device increased.
• In April 2025, ActiveProtective Technologies announced that it received marketing authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its wearable safety device, the Tango Belt. This prescription-only device was designed to protect older adults at risk of fall-related injuries by deploying airbags over the hips when sensors detect a serious hip-impacting fall. The authorization followed a multicenter clinical study where the device demonstrated a 91% reduction in fall-induced hip fractures compared to standard care alone. The belt, which had previously received Breakthrough Device Designation, was intended for use as an adjunct to standard care protocols in senior living and healthcare facilities.

Key Market Players

• Tytex A/S
• Posey Company
• Skil-Care Corporation
• Safehip AB
• Suprima GmbH
• Medline Industries, LP
• Prevent Products B.V.
• AliMed, Inc.
• TheraPAQ, Inc.
• ImpactWear LLC

By Product Type	By Application	By Region
Soft Hip Protectors Hard Hip Protectors	Hospital Nursing Home Training Center Other	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Hip Protector Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Hip Protector Market, By Product Type:

• Soft Hip Protectors
• Hard Hip Protectors

• Hip Protector Market, By Application:

• Hospital
• Nursing Home
• Training Center
• Other

• Hip Protector Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE