A gradated composite material for impact protection is provided. The material includes an inner cushioning layer and an outer shell layer. The material includes a plurality of foam layers, each foam layer having a foam thickness, wherein at least some of the foam layers have differing foam thicknesses. The material includes a plurality of mesh layers, each mesh layer having a mesh porosity, wherein at least some of the mesh layers have differing mesh porosities. The foam layers and the mesh layers are positioned in an alternating arrangement between the inner cushioning layer and the outer shell layer such that each foam layer is adjacent to at least one mesh layer, and each mesh layer is adjacent to at least one foam layer.
