Hockey’s built on speed, chaos, and grit. That’s exactly why we love it.
But in the middle of all that motion and chaos in the corners, the sharpest thing on the ice isn’t always the puck. One quick slip, one bad angle, and a skate blade can change everything. It happens more often than most players think.
Not because they aren’t tough, but because their gear isn’t.
Toughness against a skate blade injury isn’t about ignoring risk. It’s about outsmarting it.
That’s where cut resistance comes in – the invisible layer of armor that separates a close call from a catastrophe. And it’s something most players don’t realize they’re missing.
What cut resistance actually means
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) sets safety standards for protective fabrics used in everything from an industrial glove to a hockey baselayer. The ANSI scale runs from A1 (least resistant) to A9 (most resistant), and the higher the rating, the tougher it is for a skate blade to cut through.
Here’s how the levels break down:
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A1 – A3: Low cut resistance, about as protective as a cotton shirt. A skate blade will slice through this like butter.
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A4 – A5: Moderate protection. Fine for light work gloves, not for the rink.
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A6 – A7: High protection. Better, but still not top-tier.
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A8 – A9: Maximum cut resistance designed for serious hazards, like industrial-grade safety gear or Titan BattleGear’s Titanotex™ fabric.
In plain terms: if your shirt isn’t rated A8 or A9, it’s not built for hockey.
The science backs it up
A Mayo Clinic study put dozens of neck guards to the test and found that nearly every product failed when exposed to real-game skate impacts, except those made with materials strong enough to withstand 600N of force (roughly 135 pounds of pressure).
That’s the kind of force a skate creates during a collision or fall and the only guards that held up aligned with ANSI A6 or higher.
👉 If you want the full breakdown of that study and what it means for player safety, read our deep dive on the Mayo Clinic’s hockey neck guard study.
The problem with “cut-resistant” hockey shirts
Most “cut-resistant” shirts on the market sound impressive until you look under the hood. Many sit at A2 or A3, which means they might slow down a blade, but they won’t stop it. Others rely on foam padding or mesh collars that leave dangerous gaps.
That’s not protection. That’s marketing. Titan BattleGear was built to change that.
Inside Titanotex™: engineered for battle
Our Titanotex™ A9 rated fabric is built from high-strength fibers designed to resist hundreds of pounds of force per square inch – the same kind a skate blade can generate in a split second. It’s the same level of protection used in high-risk industrial environments, but re-engineered for the rink.
Unlike bulky foam or velcro-based guards, Titanotex™ delivers elite protection without the bulk, keeping players cool, fast, and free to move. Every thread is lab-tested, ANSI-certified, and battle-proven.
Why A9 protection matters on the ice
A9 is the highest level of protection and is built for hockey’s realities:
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A skate blade can generate up to 300 pounds of force per square inch. A2–A5 fabrics fail instantly under that pressure. A9-level protection is designed to withstand it.
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Every inch counts. A9-rated fabric resists cuts even when stretched or flexed, something lower-level fabrics can’t do.
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Impact + motion tested. Our Titanotex™ A9 material maintains its level of protection through rapid, repeated movement.
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Confidence is the real advantage. When players know their gear doesn’t fail, they play harder and faster. The way hockey’s meant to be played.
Final shift: play smart, play protected
Every player deserves to step on the ice knowing their gear won’t distract them or fail them. Cut resistance isn’t about fear – it’s about freedom. The freedom to play harder, skate faster, and focus on the game instead of the risk.
Titan BattleGear is raising the standard with Titanotex™ A9 fabric, the highest level of cut resistance available in hockey today. We’re not here to meet the standard – we’re here to set it.
