Abstract image of a person standing in water, holding a foil board, with a distorted, colorful background of mountains and sky.

Surf shield series

Cut-resistant waterwear engineered for foiling and high-consequence watersports. Developed with Diston and made from high-performance HPPE fabric, Surf Shield provides Level 4 cut resistance against sharp foils, fins and other hazards encountered on the water. Extend the good times.

Foiling Safely: Surf Shield – How Cut‑Resistant Clothing Is Changing Watersports

The skill level of many foilers is progressing rapidly — and as riders gain more control, the desire to head out in demanding conditions grows as well. At the same time, the risk of injuries from foils, fins, or other sharp hazards increases significantly.

“Especially in stormy wing foiling conditions or when prone surfing in waves, sharp foil edges are a real danger,” says Benjamin May, a passionate rider often found in Klitmøller, Denmark. “If you’re jumping in 40 knots on Gran Canaria and spinning with the foil, one small mistake can end badly.”

The Surf Shield Series is our response, designed to offer targeted cut protection without compromising comfort or freedom of movement.

The Surf Shield products reach Level 4 out of 5, indicating a remarkably high level of protection.

Extending the good times

The level of foilers keeps rising. Tricks are getting crazier, landings more extreme, and speeds continue to increase thanks to ever‑more performant foils. With this evolution, the risk of injury rises accordingly.
Within the foil community — including within our own team — we see more and more cases of awkward landings or wipeouts where parts of the body come into contact with the foil. This often results in deep cuts and injuries that are anything but pretty: slashed calves, backs, arms — you name it.

After a long search, we found the right solution: cut‑resistant clothing, similar to what is used in ballistic protective gear and now also in ski racing. As of the 2026 season, all FIS ski racers are required to wear high‑level cut‑protection clothing — Level 4 out of 5 — as a base layer under their race suits.

Teaming up with Julen Agirrebena from Diston Sports — the leading manufacturer in this field — was the logical next step for us to offer the best possible product. In terms of cut resistance, fit, and comfort, we are now absolutely leading

How does the protection mechanism work?

Close-up of a person holding a knife to their arm, with the blade touching a dark fabric sleeve. The image is in black and white.

We use a high‑performance textile cut‑protection layer that effectively stops or slows down sharp foil edges or fins. The pants and shirts consist of an abrasion‑resistant outer fabric, a cut‑resistant layer made of high‑strength fibers, and an inner lining.
When a sharp object impacts the material, these fibers slow down the edge, distribute the energy, or block it before it reaches the skin. We also developed ergonomic, low‑seam constructions to ensure consistent protection across the entire garment.

With Surf Shield pants and shirts, we achieve Protection Level 4, the second‑highest certification

Woman in black rashguard and short tights standing on a rocky beach
Leo Etienne wearing the Surf shield rashguard and striped boardshorts while standing on a grassy beach

More foil protection

Frequently asked questions on foil protection

Cut-resistant rashguards and tights provide an additional layer of protection against sharp equipment and surfaces commonly encountered in watersports. This includes hydrofoils, surfboard fins, and other hazards that may cause cuts during crashes, water starts or equipment handling.

The Surf Shield Series designed to prevent cuts caused by contact with hydrofoils, foil masts and similar sharp components. It is certified to Level 4 cut resistance according to EN388:2016. Depending on your individual needs you can find different levels of coverage from long sleeve rashguards & wetshirts to long tights and boardshorts.

Protection shouldn't be in the way when you wear it, so comfort was key in the development. The thickness is comparable to roughly 0.5 mm neoprene. After extensive testing and refinement, we achieved an excellent level of comfort. Despite the high level of cut protection, these pieces are pleasant to wear — and they also provide a little extra warmth

No. While Surf Shield was developed primarily with all kinds of foilers in mind, it can also be used for surfing.

Yes, we developed Surf Shield to be worn on it's own or under other garments like wetsuits or boardshorts. For use as cut-resistant base layer we recommend choosing tighter styles like the Surf Shield Rashguard and tights which come with short and long legs.

Person pulling on a wetsuit

Standard rashguards primarily provide sun protection and prevent chafing. Surf Shield combines UV protection with certified cut resistance, creating an additional layer of protection against cuts.

A wetsuit offers some protection due to the neoprene thickness. However, sharp foil impacts can still cut through neoprene. Surf Shield is specifically designed as an additional cut-resistant layer.

In the first phase, we performed basic tests to see how materials behave: What happens to Lycra? What happens to neoprene? And what happens to our Surf Shield shirts and pants?
A knife cuts through neoprene almost like butter. With Surf Shield, however, the injury is surprisingly small. This performance is exactly what earns us Level 4 out of 5.

A silhouetted person rides a foil on a lake at sunset, with abstract graphics overlaying the scene on the right.

Surf Shield

Cut-resistant waterwear