Protective Clothing Glossary — Key Terms Explained

Protective Clothing Glossary

A plain-English guide to the terms used in slash-resistant clothing, body armour and protective gear. Whether you are buying for yourself, your team, or for compliance purposes, understanding these terms will help you choose the right protection for your threat profile.

Compiled by Dean Dawe, Founder of Titan Depot.

Slash Resistant Clothing

Clothing designed to resist the lateral cutting motion of a blade — a knife being drawn across the body rather than thrust into it. Slash resistant garments contain a concealed lining made from high-strength fibres (typically Kevlar or Dyneema) that force a blade to deflect rather than cut through to the skin. Rated under the EN388 standard. Not the same as stab-proof protection.

See also: What Is Slash Resistant Clothing? A Complete Guide

Stab Proof / Stab Resistant

Body armour designed to resist the point of a blade being driven directly into the body with forward force (a thrusting or stabbing motion). Stab-proof vests typically contain rigid or semi-rigid panels — chainmail, ballistic laminate, or composite materials — that stop blade penetration. Rated under the UK Home Office KR standard. Different from slash resistant clothing: the two protect against different attack mechanics.

See also: Slash Resistant vs Stab Proof: What Is the Difference?

Cut Resistant

A broader term covering protection against cutting forces. Often used interchangeably with "slash resistant" but technically refers to resistance against any cutting action, not just slashing. The EN388 standard uses cut resistance ratings (Level A through F in the 2016 update; Level 1 through 5 in the 2003 version). Cut resistant gloves, sleeves and garments are rated under this standard.

Body Armour

A broad term for protective vests and panels worn on the torso to protect against stabbing, slashing or ballistic (gunshot) threats. In the UK, body armour is legal for civilians to buy, own and wear without a licence. Types include: soft body armour (flexible, concealable), hard body armour (rigid plates for ballistic threats), and combination vests (both ballistic and stab-rated). See also: Is Body Armour Legal in the UK?

Covert Body Armour

Body armour designed to be worn invisibly under everyday clothing. Typically a soft vest made from ballistic or stab-resistant fabric, fitted close to the body with no visible bulk. Widely used by close protection officers, security professionals, and civilians who want protection without the appearance of wearing armour. Titan Depot's Ultra Covert range are examples of covert body armour.

Overt Body Armour

Body armour designed to be worn visibly over clothing — typically with identification, markings, or MOLLE attachment points. Common in police, military, and high-visibility security roles. Plate carriers and tactical vests are examples of overt body armour.

Kevlar®

A para-aramid synthetic fibre developed by DuPont™. Kevlar is the most widely recognised brand name in protective clothing. It forms long, tightly bonded molecular chains that are extremely difficult to cut, making it highly effective in slash resistant garments and soft body armour. Kevlar fibres are, weight for weight, around 5 times stronger than steel. The correct full name is DuPont™ Kevlar®.

Dyneema®

A brand name for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre, manufactured by DSM. Dyneema is, weight for weight, approximately 15 times stronger than steel and is used in both slash resistant clothing and ballistic body armour. It is lighter than Kevlar and highly resistant to moisture and chemicals. Also sold under the brand name Spectra® (by Honeywell).

Spectra®

Honeywell's brand name for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre. Functionally similar to Dyneema® — the same base material, different manufacturer. Used in slash resistant garments and ballistic panels. Weight for weight, one of the strongest fibres available.

UHMWPE (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene)

The generic name for the fibre sold under brand names Dyneema® and Spectra®. UHMWPE is a high-performance thermoplastic polymer with exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, cut resistance, and impact resistance. Widely used in modern slash resistant clothing and ballistic panels as a lighter, flexible alternative to aramid fibres like Kevlar.

Para-Aramid Fibre

A class of heat-resistant, strong synthetic fibres. Kevlar® is the most well-known para-aramid fibre. Para-aramid fibres are used in protective clothing, body armour, and aerospace applications. They are characterised by high tensile strength, low weight, and resistance to cutting and abrasion.

EN388 Standard

The European standard for protective gloves (and increasingly clothing) against mechanical risks, including cut, abrasion, puncture and tear. In the 2016 update (EN388:2016), cut resistance levels run from A (lowest) to F (highest). In the older 2003 version (EN388:2003), levels run from 1 to 5. Most everyday slash resistant garments are rated at Level 2 (2003) or Level B/C (2016). Level 5 (2003) / Level F (2016) is the highest available, used in specialist gloves and extreme-cut-risk garments.

NIJ Standard

The US National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standard for ballistic-resistant body armour. Widely adopted internationally as the benchmark for ballistic protection levels. The most common civilian-relevant levels are:

  • NIJ Level II — protects against 9mm full metal jacket and .357 Magnum. Lightweight, highly concealable.
  • NIJ Level IIIA — protects against 9mm and .44 Magnum. The most popular civilian and security professional level. Concealable under everyday clothing.
  • NIJ Level III — protects against rifle rounds. Requires hard plates. Not concealable.
  • NIJ Level IV — highest rating; protects against armour-piercing rifle rounds. Military/specialist use.

KR1 / KR2 (Knife Resistance)

UK Home Office standards for knife-resistant body armour, established under the HOSDB (Home Office Scientific Development Branch) testing protocol. KR1 is the most common civilian and security body armour rating. KR2 offers higher protection at greater weight and stiffness. Both ratings certify that a vest can resist a standardised blade being dropped onto the panel under controlled force — directly simulating a stabbing attack.

SP1 / SP2 (Spike Protection)

UK Home Office standards for spike and needle protection. Relevant for custody staff, prison officers, and anyone in an environment where improvised weapons (syringes, sharpened objects) may be used. SP1 is the standard rating for most custodial roles. SP2 offers higher protection. Many body armour vests carry both KR and SP ratings.

HO1 (Home Office 1)

The UK Home Office rating that combines ballistic protection (against handgun rounds) with stab and spike protection. HO1 rated vests protect against close-range handgun rounds as well as blade and spike attacks — the standard for armed response, close protection, and high-risk security roles.

Soft Body Armour

Body armour constructed from flexible woven or laminated ballistic fabric (typically Kevlar or UHMWPE). Soft armour is concealable, lightweight, and comfortable for extended wear. It provides protection against handgun rounds and, when combined with stab-resistant panels, against blade threats. Not suitable for rifle-rated protection (which requires hard plates).

Ballistic Protection

Protection against firearm projectiles (bullets). Measured under the NIJ standard in the UK and internationally. Ballistic body armour uses tightly woven layers of high-strength fibre (soft armour) or ceramic/steel plates (hard armour) to deform and stop bullets. Civilian-legal in the UK without any licence.

Lone Worker

Defined by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as any employee who works without close or direct supervision of another person. Includes delivery drivers, community nurses, social workers, estate agents, utility engineers, and many others. Employers have a legal duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to assess and mitigate foreseeable risks to lone workers, including knife attack risk. Lone workers represent one of the fastest-growing categories of protective clothing buyers in the UK.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Equipment worn to minimise exposure to hazards in the workplace. Under UK law (Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992), employers must provide appropriate PPE where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means. Slash resistant clothing and body armour fall within the scope of PPE when worn for occupational protection against blade threats.

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