The restricted maximal operators of partial sums with respect to bounded Vilenkin systems are investigated. We derive the maximal subspace of positive numbers, for which this operator is bounded from the Hardy space Hp to the Lebesgue space Lp for all 0 < p ≤ 1. We also prove that the result is sharp in a particular sense.2010 Mathematics Subject Classification. 42C10, 42B25.