The study reports the development of a novel cartilage-inspired hydrogel (H_PVA/CS_PSPMA) that mimics the mechanical and lubrication properties of natural cartilage. This hydrogel is composed of a top composite lubrication layer and a bottom mechanical load-bearing layer, created by covalently manufacturing thick polyelectrolyte brush phases through the sub-surface of a robust polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan (PVA/CS) hydrogel matrix with multi-level crystallization phases. The top layer provides excellent lubricity and wear resistance, while the bottom layer exhibits good load-bearing capacity, anti-swelling properties, and deformation recovery. The hydrogel demonstrates high compression modulus (11.8 MPa), reversible creep recovery (creep strain: ≈2%), and excellent anti-swelling in physiological medium (v/v0 < 5%). Under high contact pressure (2.06 MPa) and 100k reciprocating sliding cycles, the hydrogel shows persistent lubricity (average COF: ≤0.027), negligible wear, and deformation recovery. The performance of this hydrogel is comparable to and surpasses that of natural cartilage, making it suitable as a compliant coating for implantable articular materials, offering more robust lubricity than current commercial systems. The study also evaluates the cytocompatibility and anti-protein properties of the hydrogel, showing low toxicity and effective protein resistance. Overall, the H_PVA/CS_PSPMA hydrogel presents a promising approach for developing wear-resistant cartilage replacement and artificial joint coatings.The study reports the development of a novel cartilage-inspired hydrogel (H_PVA/CS_PSPMA) that mimics the mechanical and lubrication properties of natural cartilage. This hydrogel is composed of a top composite lubrication layer and a bottom mechanical load-bearing layer, created by covalently manufacturing thick polyelectrolyte brush phases through the sub-surface of a robust polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan (PVA/CS) hydrogel matrix with multi-level crystallization phases. The top layer provides excellent lubricity and wear resistance, while the bottom layer exhibits good load-bearing capacity, anti-swelling properties, and deformation recovery. The hydrogel demonstrates high compression modulus (11.8 MPa), reversible creep recovery (creep strain: ≈2%), and excellent anti-swelling in physiological medium (v/v0 < 5%). Under high contact pressure (2.06 MPa) and 100k reciprocating sliding cycles, the hydrogel shows persistent lubricity (average COF: ≤0.027), negligible wear, and deformation recovery. The performance of this hydrogel is comparable to and surpasses that of natural cartilage, making it suitable as a compliant coating for implantable articular materials, offering more robust lubricity than current commercial systems. The study also evaluates the cytocompatibility and anti-protein properties of the hydrogel, showing low toxicity and effective protein resistance. Overall, the H_PVA/CS_PSPMA hydrogel presents a promising approach for developing wear-resistant cartilage replacement and artificial joint coatings.