A device, method of manufacture, and garment for detecting an impact is provided. In one embodiment, the garment comprises a capacitive compression sensor attached to the garment having an inner and outer layer of conductive material as well as a compressible non-conductive material between the inner and outer layers. The outer layer of conductive material may include an electrical isolation region. The garment may further include an impact detection device electrically connected to the capacitive compression sensor via a conductor that traverses the electrical isolation region; and wherein the impact detection device comprises a processing circuit configured to process a change in a capacitance of the capacitive compression sensor into a digital format representative of the impact. The outer layer of conductive material may enclose the inner layer of conductive material.