Protective Elytra

Protective Elytra

Protective Elytras, lets you combine Chestplates with Elytra for extra protection

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2.6K Downloads
datapackfabricforgeneoforgequiltequipmentgame-mechanicsutility
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Screenshots

without trims
crafting in crafting table
adding trims
with trims
crafting in smithing table

About this Mod

Protective Elytra!
tired of swapping between the elytra and chestplate? well look no further…

1.21.11:
no news for the datapack it self, but the accompanied resourcepack has had an overhaul!
(make sure to download it by clicking the version number and choose the pack that suits you!)

Resource Pack now comes in 2 versions:

Protective_Elytra_RP-NoTrims_1.21.11 = will NOT show trims on the elytra (you probably want this if you wear a cape)

Protective_Elytra_RP-Trims_1.21.11 = will show trims on the elytra (works best without a cape)

Experimental features:
The pack now also comes with custom models in the resourcepack that has support for Ewan Howell's modelapplier datapack ( https://github.com/ewanhowell5195/ModelApplier/tree/master ), 4 different models was added to the pack. Make sure to apply it as both item and equipment! You can afterwards rename the protective elytra to whatever you fancy and it will keep it's textures!

!!! WARNING !!!
Do NOT press the "Reset Model" button! There is one caveat using the modelapplier datapack with the Protective Elytra, as it is a re-textured chestplate, if you reset the model using the datapack it will reset the Protective Elytra and you will end up with a chestplate, the Elytra will be disappear into the void! you can however switch between the different models at anytime.

model names: ( where pe: is the namespace )

Vanilla Textured Elytra, not showing chestplate

pe:leather_vanilla_elytra
pe:chainmail_vanilla_elytra
pe:copper_vanilla_elytra
pe:golden_vanilla_elytra
pe:iron_vanilla_elytra
pe:diamond_vanilla_elytra
pe:netherite_vanilla_elytra

Vanilla Textured Elytra, showing chestplate

pe:leather_vanilla_elytra_chestplate
pe:chainmail_vanilla_elytra_chestplate
pe:copper_vanilla_elytra_chestplate
pe:golden_vanilla_elytra_chestplate
pe:iron_vanilla_elytra_chestplate
pe:diamond_vanilla_elytra_chestplate
pe:netherite_vanilla_elytra_chestplate

Armor textured Elytra, not showing chestplate

pe:leather_elytra
pe:chainmail_elytra
pe:copper_elytra
pe:golden_elytra
pe:iron_elytra
pe:diamond_elytra
pe:netherite_elytra

Armor textured Elytra, showing chestplate

pe:leather_elytra_chestplate
pe:chainmail_elytra_chestplate
pe:copper_elytra_chestplate
pe:golden_elytra_chestplate
pe:iron_elytra_chestplate
pe:diamond_elytra_chestplate
pe:netherite_elytra_chestplate

1.21.9-1.21.10 version:
V1.43.6: split the pack into datapack and resourcepack for simplicity to manage due to changes in how the pack.meta file has changed. so make sure to download both the DP and RP .zip files that you find when clicking on the version number on the download page if you want item textures to show up in the inventory.

1.21.5 version:
rewrote recipes and updated the resourcepack to use custom data models for the elytra item models, made leather elytra dyable(item only). added a way to remove trims from the elytra if you don't like them showing(read: README in pack for instructions)
this version will only work on 1.21.5 and a few snapshot version back...

1.21.4 version:
simpliyfied the pack (due to changes made to game code and i don't have time to relearn the changes right now) will now only show vanilla elytra texture but trims still work.
the zip file is both datapack and resource pack so if you play with trims you need to also load the pack as a resource pack, not needed if you don't use trims.

1.21.2-3 version:
This data pack / resource pack combo lets you combine a Chestplate, Elytra and a Phantom Membrane in either a smithing table or the regular crafting table to make a chestplate you can fly with that gives the player same protection as a normal chestplate it also inherent the durability of the chestplate giving you a few more precious seconds in the air.

and yes it needs the resource pack otherwise no textures will display and you get the black and purple square's we all hate seeing... (you'll find the resourcepack if you click on the version tab and the version number)

There are 2 ways to craft the protective elytra, if you don't care about preserving enchantments and trims, use the crafting table, but if you want to preserve the enchantments and trims of the chestplate then use the smithing table. Enchantments and trims work as on any normal chestplate, the trim will even cover the elytra! the use of 2 methods is due to the limitation of the crafting table which simply creates a new item out of the material given to it, where the smithing table can preserve the nbt data and i didn't want to remove crafting entirely from the crafting table.

In the resource pack there are custom textured elytras mimicking the color of the chestplate that will show if you DON'T wear a cape! (turn off in settings if you want to show them!) The trims will however also show on your cape if you have it turned on, which can look weird depending on the pattern of the cape and the pattern of the trim.

The Leather version can be dyed to any combination you normally can dye leather gear. good for mini games etc where you want team colors...
however due to how leather overlays work in minecraft it will put that overlay on top of the textures on your cape (if you choose o play with the cape enabled) distorting the colors with what ever color the leather armor has, so playing without the cape on will improve the look while wearing a leather elytra.

credits:
Trims textures/ json script adopted/adapted from: [Novaterra] Chestplate Elytra + Armor Trim made by doriku @ https://modrinth.com/datapack/novaterra-chestplate-elytra-+-armor-trim
Elytra textures adopted/adapted from: Elytras and Trims made by ArubikU @ https://modrinth.com/datapack/elytras-and-trims

Available Versions

Protective Elytra 26.2release
MC 1.21.9, 1.21.10, 1.21.11, 26.1, 26.1.1, 26.1.2, 26.2datapack
June 16, 2026
Protective Elytra 26.1release
MC 1.21, 1.21.1, 1.21.2, 1.21.3, 1.21.4, 1.21.5, 1.21.6, 1.21.7, 1.21.8, 1.21.9, 1.21.10, 1.21.11, 26.1, 26.1.1, 26.1.2datapack
March 24, 2026
Protective Elytra 1.21.11release
MC 1.21.11fabric, forge, neoforge, quilt
December 9, 2025
Protective Elytra 1.21.11release
MC 1.21.11datapack
December 9, 2025
Protective Elytra V1.43.6release
MC 1.21.9, 1.21.10fabric, forge, neoforge, quilt
October 8, 2025

How to Install Protective Elytra on Your Server

1

Order Server

Order a Minecraft Java server with at least 3 GB RAM (4 GB recommended).

2

Set datapack Loader

In the panel under "Egg", select the datapack loader and matching Minecraft version (26.2).

3

Install Mod

Open the mod browser in the dashboard and search for "Protective Elytra". Click "Install" – done! Alternatively, upload the .jar via SFTP to the /mods folder.

Compatibility

Mod Loaders

datapackfabricforgeneoforgequilt

Minecraft Versions

26.2, 26.1.2, 26.1.1 (+16 more)

Server-side

Required

Recommended RAM

4 GB(min. 3 GB)

Frequently Asked Questions

Protective Elytra server crashes on startup – what to do?

Most common cause: wrong datapack version or insufficient RAM. Check the server log (latest.log) for "OutOfMemoryError" or "Mixin" errors. With Mado Hosting: ensure at least 3 GB RAM is allocated and the loader matches the mod version (26.2). You can switch loaders with one click in the panel.

Is Protective Elytra compatible with datapack and fabric and forge and neoforge and quilt?

Protective Elytra officially supports datapack, fabric, forge, neoforge, quilt for Minecraft 26.2, 26.1.2, 26.1.1. Note: Forge and Fabric mods are NOT cross-compatible – pick one loader and stick with it. The Mado dashboard automatically detects incompatible loader combinations.

Server lagging with Protective Elytra – how to optimize performance?

Recommended RAM: 4 GB (per 8 players). Use /spark profiler to check if Protective Elytra consumes the most tick time. Common fixes: reduce server view-distance to 8-10, install "performant" or "starlight" as supplementary mods on Forge. With Mado Hosting, your server runs on NVMe SSDs with dedicated CPU cores for minimal latency.

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Install Protective Elytra with just one click on your server.

Recommended RAM
4 GBab €8/mo
Min. 3 GB | +1 GB pro 8 Spieler
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NVMe SSD Storage
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Details

License
MIT License
Server-side
Required

Supported Versions

26.226.1.226.1.126.11.21.111.21.101.21.91.21.81.21.71.21.6+9 more