The ANSI Cut-Proof Rating: What it Means and How it Works

So by now, you have probably heard about the fact that all our LOCTOTE bags are made from super durable, slash-resistant materials. If you haven’t, where have you been? It’s one of our best features!

We want you to have all the details about the minute differences between our bags so you are able to choose the best one to suit your lifestyle. So let’s have a deeper look at the ANSI cut-proof rating system and answer some frequently asked questions.


Slash proof bags

What is ANSI and how is ANSI cut resistance testing done?

ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute and is a private, nonprofit organization. It’s these guys who have made it their lives’ work to create a national rating system for many things including the cut-resistant fabrics we use.

Since the standards have been set (and revised in light of new cutting technology), a standardized test can be conducted to find out how much force is needed to cut through the fabric. The process uses a special machine called a Tomodynamometer which consists of a moving strip, a blade, and weights.

The blade is moved across the fabric 5 times with 3 different loaded weights for each stroke. The distance traveled by the blade before penetrating the material is recorded each time and used to measure how much force it would take to cut through this particular fabric.


What do the different ANSI levels mean?

So now you understand how the test is conducted, you might be wondering what all this means? Each of the ANSI levels shows how many grams of cutting load the material can withstand from a sharp blade. In other words, the number of grams needed to make a cut translates to the amount of force a thief would need to apply in order to slice open your bag (or not).

It’s important to note that the ANSI levels were updated in 2016 and the new rating system includes 9 different levels and is denoted by the addition of an ‘A’ in front of the numbers. This is a large increase from the previous system where 4 was the highest rating and could represent anything from 1,500 grams - 3,499 grams.

Some materials may not yet have been re-tested under the new rating system and therefore any cut resistance level without an ‘A’ relates to the previous rating system.

Current ANSI cut resistance ratings:

Light cut resistance:

  • A1: 200 - 499 grams
  • A2: 500 - 999 grams
  • A3: 1000 - 1499 grams

Medium - high cut resistance:

  • A4: 1500 - 2199 grams
  • A5: 2200 - 2999 grams

High cut resistance:

  • A6: 3000 - 3999 grams
  • A7: 4000 - 4999 grams
  • A8: 5000 - 5999 grams

Highest cut resistance:

  • A9: 6000+ grams

What does slash proof fabric mean?

Do all the LOCTOTE bags have the same rating?

The simple answer is no, while all our bags are extremely durable and have great anti-theft qualities, our backpacks have varying levels of cut resistance. Now that you are an expert on the different levels, we hope it will be easier for you to pick the right level of protection for your needs.  

Here is a quick rundown of our different bags and their ANSI ratings:


what is ANSI?

Is an ANSI-rated fabric indestructible?

Sadly, no, it's not. We wish there was a truly indestructible fabric on the market that was a viable option for use in our bags, but we might just have to wait a few more years for that. In the meantime, we are proud to use ultra-tough materials and the latest technology in our backpacks to make them as safe, cut-resistant, and theft-proof as possible, even if they are not quite indestructible… yet.