When it comes to protecting athletes on the ice, not all neck guard shirts are created equal. While established brands like CCM still dominate the shelves, many of their products only offer ANSI A3 or A3 cut resistance – far below what experts now recommend.
Recent testing, including simulations by the Mayo Clinic, shows that ratings under A6 may fall short in real-world incidents.
That’s where Titan BattleGear comes in. Built specifically to exceed today’s safety standards, Titan’s neck guard shirts deliver A9 cut resistance, along with full neck and wrist coverage, a velcro-free collar, and high-performance fabrics that move with the player. It’s gear that’s been tested on the ice, not just on paper.
In this comparison, we break down how Titan stacks up to CCM across the most important metrics: cut resistance, coverage, comfort, fit, customization, and price – so you can make the smartest choice for yourself or your team.
Titan vs. CCM: cut resistance level
Titan offers ANSI A9 protection at the collar and A7 at the wrists, among the highest ratings available.
CCM’s neck guard shirt is rated A3 at the collar, with no cut resistance at the wrists. The Pro Line version includes wrist protection, but no cut rating is provided.
Winner: Titan – higher certified protection at both the neck and wrists
Titan vs. CCM: neck coverage
Titan’s Stretch ProCurve™ Collar features a contoured, stretch-fit design that moves with the player and offers full coverage of the carotid artery and jugular vein. It’s dynamic fit eliminates gaps, stays in place during extreme gameplay, and provides ergonomic wrist protection from glove to elbow pad, using triple-layered cut-resistant material.
CCM’s neck guard shirts feature a flat-shaped collar that, while tall enough to cover critical areas, is too tall under the chin - causing bunching and discomfort. The velcro-only collar system provides some adjustability but lacks the conforming, ergonomic fit of Titan’s Stretch ProCurve™ collar. This can lead to shifting on the ice, reducing both comfort and protection. While CCM’s upgraded Pro Line model includes wrist protection, it carries only an A3 rating, offering far less defense against high-speed skate blades.
Winner: Titan – Better fit and higher level protection
Titan vs. CCM: colors & design
Titan offers dozens of bold colors, including bright neons, drips, novelty prints, team customizations, and limited edition drops. With regular product innovations, Titan sets the pace for both performance and visual identity. Every design is field-tested by elite players and at its R&D lab in Michigan, by the Ironwood Lumberjacks, a SIJHL team.
CCM, like most mass-market brands, only offers black, with some models featuring a dark gray wrist guard. There are no standout color options, team customization features, or expressive design choices.
Winner: Titan – More personality, variety, and uniform identity
Titan vs. CCM: customization for teams
Titan offers full in-line customization built into the production process. Teams can choose from 10 stock team colors or go fully-custom customized with team logos, team colors, player names and numbers, as well as entirely bespoke designs.
CCM is limited to heat transfers for customizations. These must be applied post-purchase by a local pro shop or embellishment provider, adding extra time, cost, and inconsistency. No in-line customization is available, and teams are limited to basic branding options.
Winner: Titan – offers a ton of options and nearly endless possibilities
Titan vs. CCM: performance, comfort, fit, and styles
Titan is built for elite performance, using lightweight, premium fabrics sourced from the world of pro cycling – designed to regulate temperature, wick moisture, and move like a second skin. The ergonomic athletic cut tapers at the waist, while sleeves are designed for a true anatomical fit. 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.
CCM’s fabric has a slightly softer hand feel than Bauer’s, thought it does not offer the same technical performance features found in Titan’s fabric, such as temperature regulation and stretch tailoring. The collar is thick and bulky, with limited stretch and minimal mobility. Its tall, straight-edged design causes bunching under the chin and interferes with helmet straps, while the small velcro closure offers very little adjustability. The fit lacks athletic tailoring – sleeves are straight from shoulder to cuff, and the body has less taper than Titan or Warroad. From a style standpoint, CCM’s shirts are more traditional and consistent with what’s commonly offered in the mass-market category.
Winner: Titan – Superior fabrics and more style options
Titan vs. CCM: production, fabrics, manufacturing, and sustainability
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. Secondary manufacturing partners are based in Colombia, a US free trade ally. 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
CCM uses low-cost fabrics primarily produced in China. These pre-dyed black materials lack thermoregulation, odor control, or Oeko-Tex certification. Like other mass-market brands, CCM manufactures in Asia, which means exposure to tariffs, long supply chains, and less transparency around labor and environmental standards. There is no public information about CCM’s sustainability practices or factory ethics in its overseas production.
Winner: Titan – US-engineering, transparent, and focused on sustainability
Titan vs. CCM: 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.
CCM provides free domestic shipping on orders over $75 (within the USA), free returns for 30 days, and a 90-day warranty on manufacturing defects.
Winner: Titan – free shipping for smaller orders and a 4X-longer warranty period
Titan vs. CCM: 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
CCM
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$109 long sleeve (no wrist guard)
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$130 long sleeve (with wrist guard)
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$180 long sleeve “Pro Line” (higher cut resistance)
CCM offers a more affordable entry point, but the lower prices comes with trade-offs: reduced cut resistance (A3 vs. Titan’s A9), no short sleeve options, and limited customization. Even the Pro Line, priced at $180, caps out at A6 cut resistance.
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.
