How to Choose Slash Resistant Clothing: The Complete Buying Guide

By Dean Dawe, Founder, Titan Depot | Featured in Sky News, The Sun & The Guardian

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With knife crime at record levels in the UK, more people than ever are looking at slash resistant clothing for protection. But the market is confusing — different standards, different materials, and many products making claims that are hard to verify. This guide tells you exactly what to look for and what to buy.

What is slash resistant clothing?

Slash resistant clothing looks like a regular garment — a hoodie, jacket, t-shirt, or gilet. Inside the outer fabric is a concealed lining made from cut-resistant fibres. When a blade is drawn across the garment, the fibres force the blade to deflect rather than cut through. The protection is invisible from outside.

It is important to understand what slash resistant clothing does and does not do:

• Does protect against: blade draws, slash attacks, box-cutter attacks, opportunistic robbery involving a knife
• Does not protect against: a direct stabbing thrust with full body weight behind it (for that, you need a stab proof vest)

The EN388 cut resistance standard

EN388 is the European standard for protective gloves and clothing against mechanical risks. The cut resistance component uses a letter grading:

EN388 Level	Protection	Suitable for
A–C	Basic cut resistance	Industrial use, not personal protection
D	High cut resistance	Everyday personal protection — minimum recommended
E	Very high cut resistance	Security, lone workers, NHS staff
F	Highest cut resistance	Maximum protection — professional high-risk environments

Titan Depot's slash resistant clothing uses Cut-Tex® PRO lining, which achieves EN388 Level F — the highest available rating.

Cut-Tex® PRO vs Kevlar lining — which is better?

Property	Cut-Tex® PRO	Kevlar
Cut resistance level	EN388 Level F (highest)	EN388 Level D–E
Weight	Lighter	Heavier
Flexibility	Excellent	Good
Wearability	Highly wearable, close fit	Very wearable
CE marking	Yes	Yes (varies by product)

Both are effective. Cut-Tex® PRO offers the higher cut resistance rating and is lighter; Kevlar is a proven material with a long track record in protection. The garment construction and coverage area matter as much as the lining material.

Who should wear slash resistant clothing?

Who	Why	Recommended garment
Security guards / door supervisors	Frequent contact with agitated individuals carrying weapons	Slash resistant hoodie or jacket
NHS staff (A&E, mental health)	Rising patient violence incidents — 60,000+ reported attacks on NHS staff per year	Slash resistant t-shirt or gilet (under uniform)
Lone workers	No backup available — utility workers, social workers, delivery drivers	Slash resistant jacket or hoodie
Retail / hospitality workers	Knife-enabled robbery on the rise — particularly in London and major cities	Slash resistant hoodie
Young people / parents	Youth knife crime — Titan Depot's Junior range offers children's sizes	Junior slash resistant hoodie
General public	Personal peace of mind in higher-risk areas or situations	Slash resistant hoodie or gilet

What to look for when buying

• EN388 cut level — minimum Level D; Level F is best
• CE marking — confirms independent testing, not just manufacturer claims
• Coverage — does the lining cover the torso, arms, and neck? Gaps in coverage are gaps in protection
• Garment construction — seams should be reinforced; lining should not be removable (removable linings can be put in incorrectly)
• Washability — protection should survive regular washing without degrading
• Fit — too loose allows a blade to gather fabric and push through; too tight restricts movement

Shop slash resistant clothing at Titan Depot

• Slash Resistant Clothing — full range
• Body Armour (for stab protection)

Questions about which garment is right for your role? Contact us.