My name is Martin Schwester. I am the father of two teenage ski racers, and we also sell ski equipment, including protective garments and eyewear. Because of both my personal and professional involvement in ski racing, I have spent considerable time learning about the protection available to young athletes.
Safety is always one of my main concerns. Ski racing is an exciting sport, but it also involves high speeds, sharp ski edges, and the risk of serious lacerations.
Cut-resistant undergarments have therefore become an important part of a racer’s equipment. However, when comparing different products, there is still considerable confusion about the FIS star system.
Many racers and parents assume that a garment with more FIS stars must automatically be a better garment. After looking more closely at what the rating actually measures, I do not believe that is necessarily the case.
What the FIS Star Rating Measures
The FIS star rating measures one specific characteristic: the cut resistance of a fabric sample submitted by the brand to FIS-DITF.
The sample is intended to be the same fabric that the manufacturer will later use in the finished garment. A higher number of stars means that the fabric achieved a higher level of cut resistance in that particular laboratory test.
This information is clearly important. However, it is equally important to understand what the rating does not tell us.
Once the fabric sample has been tested, the complete garment is not sent back to FIS-DITF for reevaluation under the star-rating process. Racers and parents must therefore trust that the manufacturer uses the tested fabric and retains the correct materials and production standards when manufacturing the final product.
For me, this makes the reputation and dependability of the brand especially important.
The Finished Garment Matters
The FIS-DITF rating does not provide a complete evaluation of the finished garment.
It does not measure important characteristics such as comfort, breathability, stretch, abrasion resistance, fit, body coverage, durability, quality of construction, or overall performance while skiing.
These factors matter greatly to a racer.
A garment may offer a very high level of cut resistance. Still, if it is uncomfortable, restrictive, poorly fitted, or difficult to wear under a race suit, the athlete may not want to use it consistently. Protective equipment must provide protection, but it must also allow the racer to move freely and perform at a high level.
More Stars Do Not Always Mean a Better Choice
A higher FIS star rating means greater cut resistance in the specific DITF laboratory test. It does not automatically mean that the entire garment is better in every respect.
A 3 FIS star garment already meets the minimum cut-resistance standard established by FIS. A garment with more stars may provide greater cut resistance, but the correct choice should also consider the racer’s age, level, comfort, mobility, fit, and individual needs.
Why We Recommend DISTON
After reflecting on these factors, we recommend DISTON for our teenage ski racers and for customers looking for cut-resistant protection.
One of the main reasons is that DISTON treats its cut-resistant garments as Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, rather than relying only on the FIS rating of a fabric sample.
DISTON garments carry the CE mark and are supported by a Declaration of Conformity. This provides additional assurance that the finished product has been developed and manufactured as protective equipment, not simply as ordinary sportswear made from a cut-resistant textile.
For us as parents and ski-equipment professionals, that distinction is important.
We also believe that a cut-resistant garment must offer the right balance between protection and performance. Racers need to be able to move freely, remain comfortable, and wear the garment consistently during training and competition.
DISTON’s approach takes into account the complete garment, including protection, fit, stretch, comfort, and performance. This broader view of racer safety is why we feel confident recommending the brand.
Look Beyond the Number of Stars
The FIS star system is valuable because it gives racers an indication of the cut resistance achieved by a fabric in a standardized test.
However, it should not be interpreted as a complete rating of the garment.
When choosing cut-resistant protection, racers and parents should also consider the manufacturer's reliability, the construction and certification of the finished product, its fit, comfort, durability, and suitability for the athlete.
FIS stars are important, but the best garment is not necessarily the one with the highest number of stars. The best garment combines appropriate cut resistance with quality, comfort, performance, trustworthy manufacturing, and proper protective-equipment certification.