An impact absorbing protective garment is provided, for wearing about the torso of a body, such as a baseball umpire, that comprises three layers. There is an outer shell layer comprised of a plurality of plate elements that are generally stiff, shock-resistant lightweight material, that are fastened to a middle layer. The middle layer is in the form of a flexible pad having various components, and that provides an intermediate thickness of cushioning material inside the outer shell layer. There is an inner layer carried by the middle layer that comprises a plurality of cells of phase change material, with the various cells being separated from each other by sealing zones. Upon sufficient impact the individual cells can communicate through small pores in the sealing zones or when the sealing zones rupture under impact pressure, to assist in impact absorption. The inner layer, in its cells, contains a phase change material that is a means for effecting a relatively constant microclimate cooling or heating of the area of the torso of the body which it confronts.