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LVAD Gear Review 2026: Is LVAD Gear Worth It? We Break Down 7 Best-Sellers
Last updated October 2026 · Researched from lvadgear.com, Trustpilot, patient community posts and the brand's own policy pages
LVAD Gear tank top designed to carry LVAD equipment
Clothing is usually a small decision. For someone living with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), it is not. The controller and batteries have to be carried every hour of the day, and an ordinary shirt does not make that easy. That is the gap the LVAD Gear range tries to fill, and the question is whether the price tag matches the promise.
This review is a researched look, not a hands-on test. We read the brand's product pages, About page, shipping and returns policies, ran a cart check through our link, and searched for independent feedback. Our bottom line: LVAD Gear is a focused, patient-founded niche brand with clearly thought-out features and USA manufacturing, but it is not cheap, its independent review footprint is small, and returns are more limited than at a mainstream clothing store.
Important: this article is general information about clothing, not medical advice. Always follow your LVAD care team's instructions about how to carry and manage your equipment.
Quick Verdict
Best for: LVAD patients and caregivers who want shirts, tanks or shorts built around HeartMate controller and battery carrying
Skip if: you need a wide choice of styles, free returns, or a large base of independent customer reviews to lean on
Price range: roughly $31 to $95 for the items we checked, at time of writing (October 2026)
Our rating: 4/5, based on the product design as described by the brand, the founder story and policies, held back by the thin independent review evidence
What Is LVAD Gear?
According to its About page, LVAD Gear designs and makes clothing specifically for people with an LVAD. The idea came from Brent Lemay, who had an LVAD implanted in 2012 and found that regular clothing did not carry the device safely or comfortably. He worked with a physical therapist and clothing designers to build apparel around the device. The brand says he has since had a heart transplant and still continues to build LVAD apparel and accessories.
The store sells shirts, tank tops, shorts, vests and accessories. Most of the products we looked at are described as made for HeartMate 2 and HeartMate 3 equipment, and the brand says its tanks are manufactured 100% in the USA. The core idea is the same across the range: a dedicated controller pocket, battery pockets, and a way to keep the driveline out of sight.
Is LVAD Gear Legit?
Everything we found points to a real, specialised small business rather than a generic dropshipper. The store has a clear founder story, a physical shipping process (USPS Priority Mail in the US), detailed product descriptions and working policies. Most orders are said to ship the next business day.
On independent feedback, the picture is thin. The brand's Trustpilot page held a single review at the time of writing, a 5-star comment from a family member saying their relative with an LVAD stopped complaining about clothing after switching. A post on a patient community site also recommended the shirts, vests and bags. We found no Reddit discussion. That is positive but very limited, so treat it as encouraging rather than conclusive. The brand's returns page also still carries wording from the COVID-19 period, which is a small sign the policy pages have not been refreshed.
The Best LVAD Gear Products, Reviewed
1. LVAD HeartMate Unisex Tank Top — Best for Choosing Your Colour
LVAD Gear HeartMate unisex tank top
Price: $73.47 to $94.47 (listed as reduced from $134.99) · Material: spandex · Sizes: S to 5XL · Colours: blue, black, white, red, sea green
The HeartMate Unisex Tank Top is the one with the widest choice of colour and size. The brand describes a sleeveless, flexible fit with an upright external controller pocket, two hidden internal battery pockets with zip closures, and a concealed driveline system. It also says a spandex panel in the controller pocket helps absorb heat from the equipment. Those are the brand's claims rather than something we measured.
Pros
Five colours instead of the usual black and white
Sizes up to 5XL
Zip-closed internal battery pockets
Cons
Priciest tank in the range at the top end
Sleeveless, so it will not suit everyone under work clothing
2. LVAD HeartMate Men's Tank Top (White) — Best Classic Tank
LVAD Gear men's HeartMate tank top in white
Price: $69.27 to $90.27 (listed as reduced from $128.99) · Material: ultrathin spandex mesh · Sizes: S to 5XL
The Men's Tank Top in white is described as a looser-fit design with a controller pocket that suits HeartMate 2 and 3. The brand lists an elastic battery support that absorbs weight over the shoulder, a controller pocket that moves heat away from the body, a cinching elastic top on the controller pocket, and hook-and-loop closures on the battery pockets. All pockets are said to be double stitched.
Pros
Loose fit aimed at comfort
Hook-and-loop loops intended to hide and protect cables
Made in the USA according to the brand
Cons
Price sits close to $70 even at the entry size options
Sleeveless style only
3. LVAD HeartMate Men's Mesh Tank Top (Black) — Best for Hot Weather
LVAD Gear men's mesh tank top in black
Price: $69.97 to $90.97 (listed as reduced from $129.99) · Material: performance fabric with ultra-thin mesh · Sizes: S to 4XL
This is the newest of the tanks we checked. The Mesh Tank Top swaps in a breathable ultra-thin mesh meant to keep you cooler. The brand lists two side battery pockets with hook-and-loop closures and a front controller pocket with elastic support, along with heavy-duty stitching and spandex that spreads the weight of the device.
Pros
Breathable mesh for warm climates
Discreet look under a regular top
Marked as a newer release
Cons
Fewer sizes than the 5XL options
No on-page rating information to judge long-term durability
4. LVAD HeartMate Men's Shirt (White) — Best Under Regular Clothes
LVAD Gear HeartMate men's shirt in white
Price: $69.27 to $90.27 (listed as reduced from $128.99) · Material: heavy spandex, moisture-wicking · Sizes: S to 4XL
The Men's Shirt in white is made to be worn as a base layer, so ordinary clothing can go over your equipment. The brand describes hook-and-loop closures on top of the battery pockets, heavy spandex that absorbs the weight of the LVAD, an anti-microbial finish against odour and bacteria, and moisture-wicking fabric.
Pros
Designed to be hidden under normal clothes
Moisture-wicking and anti-microbial per the brand
Secure battery pockets
Cons
Only black and white offered
Same price band as the tanks
5. LVAD HeartMate Men's Tank Top (Black) — Best for Everyday Wear
LVAD Gear men's HeartMate tank top in black
Price: $69.27 to $90.27 (listed as reduced from $128.99) · Material: ultrathin spandex mesh · Sizes: S to 5XL
The black version of the classic tank carries the same feature list as the white one. For people who want the black Men's Tank Top, the main advantages are practical: darker fabric is easier to live with day to day, and the cinching elastic top on the upright controller pocket is meant to keep the controller secure during movement.
Pros
Same loose, comfort-focused construction as the white version
Sizes up to 5XL
Upright controller pocket
Cons
Black fabric can run warmer in strong sun
Very similar to the white tank, so choosing is mostly about colour
6. LVAD HeartMate Women's Tank Top (Nude) — Best for Women
LVAD Gear women's HeartMate tank top in nude
Price: $69.27 to $90.27 (listed as reduced from $128.99) · Material: ultrathin spandex mesh · Sizes: S to 4XL
A women's cut in a nude shade is one of the harder things to find in this category, which is why the Women's Tank Top matters. The brand lists the same controller pocket, elastic battery support and hook-and-loop closures as the men's tank, with a colour intended to disappear under lighter clothing.
Pros
Women-specific option
Nude shade works under light tops
Same safety features as the men's tank
Cons
Fewer colour choices shown
Sizing is not detailed on the listing, so check the size guide before ordering
7. LVAD HeartMate 2 & 3 Unisex Medical Shorts (White) — Best Budget Pick
LVAD Gear unisex medical shorts in white
Price: $31.47 to $52.47 (listed as reduced from $74.99) · Material: heavy spandex, moisture-wicking · Sizes: S to 4XL
The cheapest item we checked, the Unisex Medical Shorts, are built to carry battery holders for HeartMate 2 and 3. The brand says they were developed with actual VAD recipients, use double stitching on pockets and seams, and add Velcro straps for extra battery security.
Pros
Lowest price in the range
Extra straps for battery security
Developed with VAD recipients, per the brand
Cons
Designed for battery carrying, so you still need a separate shirt option for the controller
Only white shown on the listing
Quality & Durability
We cannot test durability from a desk, but the build claims are consistent across the range: double-stitched pockets and seams, heavy spandex to carry the weight, and hook-and-loop closures. Items are said to be made in the USA. The listings mix in anti-microbial and moisture-wicking language that is the brand's own wording. Pocket fit is designed around HeartMate 2 and 3, so if you use a different device, ask the brand before buying.
Shipping, Returns & Warranty
Processing: most orders ship the next business day
US shipping: mostly USPS Priority Mail, including PO Boxes and APO, FPO and DPO addresses
International: USPS First-Class Mail International, extra charges shown at checkout, duties and taxes paid by the buyer
Wrong size: email the company and they send a replacement at no charge; you pay only the shipping to send the original back
Returns: handled by email; damaged products are not refunded, and the page still mentions slower COVID-era processing
Warranty: we did not find a stated warranty
LVAD Gear vs. Competitors
Regular compression or athletic shirts: cheaper and easy to find, but they have no dedicated controller or battery pockets, so you have to improvise.
Hospital or manufacturer-issued carry bags and holsters: usually included with the device, but they are not clothing and some patients find them awkward to wear all day.
DIY or tailored alterations: can be personalised, but you take on the design risk and the cost of a seamstress.
How to Save at LVAD Gear
The store already lists many items well below their original prices, such as the shorts from $74.99 down to $31.47 at the lowest size option. On top of that, the LVAD Gear coupon code JAYSONREVIEW applies through our link. Our listing shows it as 8% off the entire order. We could not verify that figure: our cart test through the link applied the code at 5% on a discounted item, so check your cart before paying. You can also see all current offers on our LVAD Gear coupon codes and deals page.
What Real Customers Say
Independent feedback is sparse, so we kept this section honest. What we did find:
Praise: comfort for the wearer, a design that clearly comes from a patient's own experience, and community members recommending the shirts, vests and bags
Praise: a family member reporting that their relative stopped complaining about clothing after switching
Caution: very few reviews on Trustpilot, so the rating is not statistically meaningful
Caution: the returns wording is dated, and refunds depend on an email exchange
FAQ
Does LVAD Gear fit HeartMate 2 and HeartMate 3?
The brand states its tanks and shorts are designed around HeartMate 2 and 3 equipment. For other devices, contact the company first.
Is LVAD Gear made in the USA?
The brand says its tank tops are 100% manufactured in the USA.
Does LVAD Gear ship internationally?
Yes, by USPS First-Class Mail International. Extra shipping applies, and duties and import taxes are your responsibility.
What if I order the wrong size?
Email the company. Per its policy, you send the item back, pay return shipping, and receive the replacement size at no charge.
Is there an LVAD Gear promo code?
The code JAYSONREVIEW is listed for our readers. It is listed as 8% off, though we could not verify that figure; our test showed 5% on one discounted item.
Final Verdict
LVAD Gear is not trying to be a fashion label. It is a small, patient-founded specialist, and the features it lists (dedicated controller pocket, secured battery pockets, hidden driveline, US manufacturing) are exactly what the audience needs. If you carry an LVAD, the LVAD Gear promo code and reduced prices make the range easier to justify. The trade-offs are a small independent review base and returns that rely on email. We would suggest ordering carefully, confirming your device fits, and talking to your care team before changing how you carry equipment.
How We Researched This Review
We reviewed lvadgear.com product pages, the About, shipping and returns pages, and ran a cart check through our link. We searched for independent feedback on Trustpilot and Reddit and found only a handful of comments. We did not buy or wear any product, and prices are shown at time of writing (October 2026).
