Previous measurements of the stopping power of Kapton and Havar for 1.1–4.4‐MeV protons have been analyzed with modified Bethe–Bloch theory in order to extract some of the parameters required in the formalism. Results suggest the possibility of systematic errors, in that the Havar data appear to have been slightly high and the Kapton data quite low when compared with other reported measurements. Currently recommended values of the mean excitation energy and Barkas‐effect parameter are, respectively, 79 eV and 1.34 (Kapton) and 296 eV and 1.36 (Havar). The need for further accurate measurements for Kapton in particular is emphasized.