The Story of VIX

Born from Blood. Built for Protection.

The invisible armor worn by 72% of World Cup ski racers. This is how it started.

Victor Wiacek recovering in hospital after his ski accident

The Accident

An Unassuming Slope

Victor Wiacek was on a routine training run in upstate New York when his binding ejected unexpectedly, sending him tumbling. It would have been like any other fall had his ski not been waiting for him, edge up, on the ground in front.

"I practically rode the whole ski from tail to tip. My vision went red because there was blood on my goggles."

The ski cut deep into his thigh, through tissue and nerves, all the way down to his femoral artery. He lost 50% of his blood within minutes.

Thankfully, a coach nearby had a military-grade tourniquet, and Victor survived after receiving a blood transfusion and emergency surgery. Had it been a minute longer, he might not have made it.

The Product

Nothing Existed. So He Built It.

While recovering in the hospital, Victor tried to find gear that would make sure this never happened to him again, but nothing existed.

So, he founded VIX and built it himself.

1 year, 387 fabric combinations, and 29 testing machines later, he had a product.

VIX garments are made from UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene) woven with metal fiber. The result is a product that is 15x stronger than steel yet just as flexible and breathable as normal underwear.

"By wearing this garment, we can essentially eliminate an entire category of injury."

VIX Comfort Pro cut-resistant base layer

Today

Trusted by the Best

Now, over 70% of World Cup racers wear VIX, including Olympians Breezy Johnson, Lindsey Vonn, Marco Odermatt, and others.

FIS, the governing body for ski racing, introduced a mandate in 2025 requiring the use of cut-resistant undergarments. More people are recognizing both how severe, and preventable, ski lacerations like Victor's can be.

VIX is on a mission to eliminate the injury from the sport.

Get Protected
Atle Lie McGrath

Atle Lie McGrath

Norwegian Ski Team, World Cup Slalom

My ski cut through everything, except for my VIX leggings. If I hadn't worn VIX I would've had a deep cut in my thigh and probably missed several races.

AJ Ginnis

AJ Ginnis

Greek Ski Team, Olympic Slalom

VIX gives me peace of mind — I'm protected without feeling weighed down. It's one less thing to worry about so I can focus on skiing.

Sasha Rearick

Sasha Rearick

Former Head Coach, U.S. Ski Team

VIX leggings are by far the most cut-resistant and comfortable product out there. Athletes only stay safe if they wear it every time and with VIX, once the fit is right, they never take it off.