The question, "Is BioSteel now body armor?" arises from a series of events involving corporate news, sports sponsorships, and a simple but common case of brand name confusion. The short answer is a definitive no, BioSteel is and has always been a sports hydration and nutrition company, though it faced significant financial turmoil. The misconception stems from a well-publicized sponsorship shift in the National Hockey League (NHL) that caused many to mix up the BioSteel brand with a similarly named competitor.
BioSteel's Financial Tumult and Relaunch
BioSteel, a Canadian sports hydration and nutrition brand founded in 2009, gained popularity for its clean, high-performance products. However, the company faced major financial difficulties under the ownership of Canopy Growth, a cannabis company that had acquired a majority stake in 2019. Canopy Growth, aiming to focus on its core cannabis business, found BioSteel to be a significant drag on its finances, with the sports drink unit burning through millions of dollars a month. This led to a very public and tumultuous period.
In September 2023, BioSteel filed for bankruptcy protection in both the US and Canada. The bankruptcy filing meant BioSteel stopped making payments on costly sponsorship deals it had with high-profile athletes and leagues, including the NHL. This period of uncertainty and financial instability put BioSteel's future in doubt and was widely reported in business and sports news.
Following the bankruptcy, a new company controlled by entrepreneur Dan Crosby acquired BioSteel's assets in December 2023. Under new leadership, the brand has been revitalized, focusing on rebuilding its business on sound financial principles and re-entering the sports nutrition market. BioSteel is once again producing sports drinks, powders, and a new Ready-to-Drink (RTD) protein product, solidifying its place in the sports nutrition landscape, not protective equipment.
The NHL Sponsorship Change and Brand Mix-Up
One of the most significant factors contributing to the "BioSteel is now body armor" confusion was the highly publicized change in the NHL's official sports drink sponsorship. For years, BioSteel was the league's official hydration partner. However, in April 2024, the NHL and NHL Players' Association announced a new multi-year agreement with Bodyarmor to be the league's official sports drink.
This is where the mix-up occurred. The brand Bodyarmor is a sports drink brand, unrelated to the protective equipment body armor. The news of the NHL dropping the bankrupt BioSteel in favor of Bodyarmor, a similarly sounding name, caused widespread confusion, particularly among casual observers. Some misinterpreted the news, mistakenly believing that BioSteel had somehow transformed into a company making protective gear.
What is Protective Body Armor?
To fully debunk the myth, it's important to understand what protective body armor actually is. This is a highly specialized field of technology and materials science, completely separate from the beverage industry.
Modern Body Armor Materials and Technology
- Aramid Fibers: Materials like Kevlar, which revolutionized protective gear in the 1970s, provide flexible soft armor to protect against handgun rounds and shrapnel.
- Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE): Brands like Dyneema and Spectra use this material, which is lightweight and offers excellent energy absorption, often used in hard plates and vests.
- Ceramic Composite Plates: For protection against rifle fire, military and law enforcement use hard plates made of ceramic materials like aluminum oxide or silicon carbide, often backed with other materials to absorb residual energy.
- Nanomaterials: Advanced research is incorporating materials like graphene and carbon nanotubes to create lighter, stronger, and more energy-absorbent composites.
The distinction could not be more clear: a sports nutrition drink is not protective equipment designed to stop bullets.
A Quick Comparison: BioSteel vs. Body Armor
| Feature | BioSteel (Sports Drink) | Body Armor (Protective Equipment) |
|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Electrolyte drinks, protein powders, hydration mixes | Ballistic vests, helmets, protective plates, shields |
| Industry | Sports Nutrition & Hydration | Defense, Law Enforcement, Protective Gear |
| Key Ingredients | Electrolytes, protein, natural flavors, vitamins | Aramid fibers, UHMWPE, ceramic plates, steel |
| Primary Function | Replenish electrolytes, provide hydration, and support performance | Protect wearer from ballistic threats, stabs, and blunt force trauma |
| Recent History | Filed for bankruptcy (2023), acquired, and relaunched. | Constantly evolving with new material science developments like nanomaterials. |
| NHL Involvement | Was a former sponsor of the NHL; replaced by the brand Bodyarmor. | No relation to the NHL sports drink sponsorship. |
BioSteel's Continued Focus on Sports Nutrition
Since its acquisition and successful relaunch, BioSteel has shown a renewed commitment to its core business. In June 2025, the brand released its first-ever protein Ready-to-Drink (RTD) product, signaling its expansion within the sports nutrition market. The company has also secured new partnerships, including a multi-year deal with U SPORTS in Canada and Football Ontario, and is building a new manufacturing facility. These moves further cement BioSteel's identity as a sports nutrition brand, putting to rest any lingering rumors about a pivot to defensive gear. The path forward for the revitalized BioSteel is firmly rooted in hydration and athletic performance, not protection from projectiles.
Conclusion: The Final Word on BioSteel vs. Body Armor
In conclusion, the claim that BioSteel is now body armor is a complete falsehood based on a brand mix-up and a misunderstanding of a corporate bankruptcy. BioSteel remains a sports nutrition company, despite its recent financial troubles and change of ownership. The confusion arose primarily from the NHL's decision to replace BioSteel with a differently-named sports drink brand, Bodyarmor. Meanwhile, protective body armor continues to be a highly technical and serious field involving specialized materials and manufacturing processes. It is crucial to distinguish between brand names, company developments, and entirely separate product categories. Anyone looking for sports drinks should look for the BioSteel logo, while those needing protective equipment should consult a reputable defensive gear manufacturer for the correct products.
For more information on the technological advancements in defensive gear, you can refer to authoritative sources such as those covering the evolution of protective equipment and body armor technology, like Mehler Protection, a leader in the field.
