Hey there, hockey champs and future stars! Yes, the skating rink is fun and I know that’s where your mind is, but I want to take your attention to something important just for a second. When it comes to high-speed games and wicked fast blades, does anyone really want to mess around with safety? When you’re in the action blocking shots, diving for pucks, or going head-to-head in a faceoff, you’re not necessarily thinking about cut protection, but trust us—it’s worth your attention, especially when things start getting intense and borderline dangerous on the ice.
Let’s break cut protection ratings down in a way that’s easy to understand. The cut protection ratings are ANSI cut levels, which basically tell you how strong your gear is against sharp objects—especially skate blades. In the graph below, the higher the g’s go (g means grams of force), the higher the protection needs to be.
Picture this: you’re stick handling, skating hard, when wham—you get cross-checked and are laying on the ice beside another player’s skates. Worse yet, you’re watching two players fight and next thing you know, you’re in the middle of a pileup, blades are flying close to your neck and wrists, and you’re suddenly feeling very vulnerable. That’s where cut protection comes in. Cut protection is a layer of material that you wear over your skin to protect your body. It’s graded into 9 grades based on the amount of force the protective material can withstand.
The ratings for the gear you wear, like neck guards and gloves, go from A1 to A9, depending on how resistant the rating is to cuts. As an analogy, you could think of the ratings like the strength of a shield: the stronger the shield, the higher the grade. When it comes to hockey gear, it’s really about the composition of the material and how it’s made, making it more or less resistant to cuts. Once tests have been made on the material, it’s assigned a level of resistance from A1 to A9, each level having its own vibe, from "fine for light skating" to "we can stop a truck with this." It’s an exaggeration of course, the actual numbers we laid out into 3 tables in the next section so it’s easier for you to understand how they work.
With all these levels explained, here is the question I have for you: since Bonderkage’s A9 gear is available in all sizes and is comfortable, breathable, durable, stylish and affordable, why even take the risk and get lower than A9 protection? For the players who live and breathe hockey, A9 protection is where it’s at. The gear is made of high-tech stuff, like Kevlar and Dyneema, giving it a slash-resistant, blade-proof quality that’s just short of epic. If you’re someone who’s got dreams of NHL greatness (or just want to look like you do), A9-rated gear is a must. It’s the standard in high-stakes protection for hockey players who don’t hold back. And anyway, it’s the right choice as it takes no chances.
So, which cut protection level should you choose? Here’s a quick rundown:
I know we didn’t provide a rundown really: that’s because A9 really is the only option. With the unpredictable way in which accidents happen, we would not recommend anything lower than A9, especially since it’s affordable, light, breathable and comfortable. And with Bonderkage’s cool and stylish designs, it’s hard to resist.
Once you’ve got your A9 cut-resistant gear, keeping it in good condition is key. Here are some super simple tips:
If you’re looking for the best hockey neck guards, slash-resistant gear, or A9 cut protection options, Bonderkage is the most trusted provider. Visit cut protection page on our eshop to get your gear and have it shipped right to your home.
If you’re ever in your favorite hockey stores or online sports retailers, always go for gear that meets ANSI or EN388 standards for real safety. Once you know it’s safe, look for discounts or sales, especially when shopping for youth hockey equipment or goalie neck guards. With Bonderkage, you’re sure to get A9 cut protection and it’s the number one brand. Whether you’re just starting or already in competitive leagues, choosing the right cut protection level is a smart move. It’s your game, your neck, and your gear—so make sure you’re covered with the best!
