Provided is a protective insert to be received into a pocket of a protective athletic headwear. The protective insert includes an outer layer, at least one pliable middle layer, and a pliable inner layer. The outer layer includes an arrangement of first openings that extend at least partially through the outer layer. The at least one pliable middle layer has at least one arrangement of openings that extend at least partially through the at least one pliable middle layer. The outer layer, the at least one pliable middle layer and the pliable inner layer are sealed such that the openings form sealed air pockets in the at least one first pliable middle layer between the outer layer and the pliable inner layer.