When it comes to hockey safety, not all neck guards are created equal. While many products on the market meet the bare minimum for protection, recent testing – including lab simulations from the Mayo Clinic – suggests that standard ratings like ANSI A3 or A6 may not offer enough defense in real high-contact scenarios. As leagues adopt stricter requirements, players and parents are looking for gear that goes beyond the basics.
In this comparison, we break down how leading brands like Bauer stack up against newer, boutique options like Titan BattleGear. We evaluate each product across key criteria including cut resistance, neck coverage, comfort, fit, customization, and price — so you can decide which neck guard shirt delivers the best protection without sacrificing performance.
Titan vs. Bauer: cut resistance level
Titan offers ANSI A9 protection at the collar and A7 at the wrists, among the highest ratings available.
Bauer’s shirt is rated A3 at the collar with no cut resistance at the wrists.
Winner: Titan – higher protection where it matters most.
Titan vs. Bauer: neck coverage
Titan’s Stretch ProCurve™ Collar uses a contoured, stretch-fit design that moves with the player and offers full coverage of the carotid artery and jugular vein. The contoured coverage moves dynamically with the player throughout extreme gameplay. Titan offers wrist protection from glove to elbow pad, featuring cut-resistance and a protective triple layer guard.
Bauer’s neck guard shirts feature a flat-shaped collar around the neck. While the height of the collar is sufficiently tall to cover the critical areas, it’s too tall under the chin, creating bunching and discomfort. Bauer’s traditional, velcro-only collar design offers some adjustability, though it may not conform as closely to the neck as Titan’s Stretch ProCurve™ collar, which provides a more dynamic fit for enhanced safety. Bauer’s neck guard shirts do not offer any wrist protection, a critical oversight in preventing cuts from skates and sticks in the wrist and forearm areas.
Winner: Titan – More comprehensive coverage and a better fit.
Titan vs. Bauer: colors & design
Titan offers dozens of bold colors, including bright neons, drips, novelty prints, team customizations, and limited edition drops. Titan releases groundbreaking technologies and innovations on a regular basis, including its velcro-free collar design. The innovations are tested at its R&D lab in Michigan, where gear is battle-tested by the Ironwood Lumberjacks, a SIJHL team.
Bauer’s shirts are available only in black, making them a more traditional option for players who prefer a standard look. Bauer’s design is simple and functional, but it lacks the innovative features that Titan offers. The velcro-only collar system and basic design limits customization and aesthetic options.
Winner: Titan – More color and more regular innovation.
Titan vs. Bauer: customization for teams
Titan is available in 10 stock team colors, for matching your neck and wrist protection to your team’s uniform colors. For the ultimate team style, Titan can be customized with team logos, team colors, player name and number, as well as entirely bespoke designs.
Bauer does not offer team customization, limiting teams to basic color options and standard designs.
Winner: Titan – offers team customization and Bauer does not.
Titan vs. Bauer: performance, comfort, fit, and styles
Titan offers advanced, super-lightweight fabrics used in premium cycling jerseys to keep players cool on the ice. BattleGear has ergonomically designed sleeves ensuring perfect form-fit, while the body has an athletic tapered cut with room to move. Titan offers both long and short sleeve versions, with both a velcro and non-velcro, patented Stretch ProCurve™ collar. Available in 11 sizes, including youth XS for four-year olds through senior 3XL to ensure fit for players of all sizes.
Bauer’s neck guard shirts use cheaper fabrics, often sourced from overseas manufacturing facilities. While they are functional, they do not offer the same level of breathability or moisture-wicking capabilities as Titan’s premium fabrics. Bauer’s gear may feel bulkier or less comfortable during long periods of play. The collar also has exposed Kevlar sticking out from the seams, which can irritate the skin quite easily. Bauer’s neck guard shirts are available in long sleeve only and use a velcro-only collar, limiting the ability to adjust for a more personalized, custom fit or have short sleeves.
Winner: Titan – Better fabrics, more options
Titan vs. Bauer: production, fabrics, manufacturing, and sustainability
Much of Titan’s product line is made entirely in the USA. No matter the product, all of Titan’s cut-resistant Titanotex™ materials are made in North Carolina from advanced yarns and ultimately knit to a final textile in California. Manufacturing is based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Titan has secondary manufacturing partners based in Colombia, a free trade partner with the United States. Titan pays only for products, not for tariffs. Additionally, Titan’s US-based supply chain and stringent sustainability requirements for its partners, means you are wearing the most sustainable, eco-friendly cut protection available. Rejecting the status quo of overseas production, Titan stands alone in its locally-produced philosophy.
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Titan body and sleeve: 87% Poly, 13% Lycra, 4.16oz
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Titan back and mesh: 90% Poly, 10% Lycra, 3.24 oz
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Wrist protection powered by Titanotex™ cut resistant material
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4-way stretch
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Quick-dry technology
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Thermo-regulated
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Mesh back & underarm panel
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Anti-bacterial
Bauer uses cheaper fabrics produced primarily in China and Vietnam. While functional, these fabrics do not offer the same level of premium quality. These fabrics may not provide the same comfort or durability, especially under intense conditions. Bauer relies on a far-east production (model as tested was made in Vietnam) for much of its manufacturing, leading to longer supply chains and increased carbon footprint. The company’s reliance on overseas manufacturing can also lead to less oversight and quality control. Bauer has made some efforts toward sustainable manufacturing, but overseas production methods inherently limit the company’s ability to implement the same eco-friendly practices and local production strategies as Titan.
Winner: Titan – made in the USA with premium American fabrics
Titan vs. Bauer: customer experience and support
Titan offers free domestic shipping on orders over $50 (within the USA), free returns for 30 days, and the neck guard shirts are guaranteed from manufacturing defects for one year.
Bauer does not offer free shipping and only offers a 90-day warranty on manufacturing defects. It offers free returns for 30 days.
Winner: Titan – free shipping, returns, and 1-year warranty
Titan vs. Bauer: price
Titan
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$149 youth short sleeve
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$159 youth long sleeve
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$159 senior short sleeve
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$169 senior long sleeve
Shop Titan BattleGear neck guard shirts here
Bauer
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$74.99 youth long sleeve (no wrist guard)
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$79.99 senior long sleeve (no wrist guard)
Shop Bauer neck protection here
If price is your top priority, Bauer’s options are lower – but it’s important to understand what you’re trading off in terms of cut resistance, fit, and overall protection. What’s the real cost when it comes to safety? Bauer’s shirts offer less than half the cut resistance and no wrist protection.
Winner: Titan – Because safety is not the place to cut corners.
The product comparisons presented on this page are based on publicly available specifications, customer reviews, and Titan BattleGear’s internal analysis as of June 2025. All brand names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used here for comparative and informational purposes only. Titan BattleGear is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of the brands mentioned. We strive to ensure all information is accurate and up to date, but product specifications may change over time. If you are a brand representative and believe any information is incorrect, please contact us here for review and correction.
