Fencing gear guides, built on the equipment rules.

How we recommend

Our picks are categories of fencing gear, such as masks, under-plastrons or sabre gloves, never particular models or brands. Each pick says who it may suit and which rule applies to it, with the body, the document and its edition or date. We do not publish hands-on reviews, we do not rank products, and we do not quote or compare prices. The buttons take you to current listings so you can compare for yourself. Product links are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no cost to you; that never decides which categories we include.

Nothing in these guides says a product is homologated, certified, safe or legal. The FIE's homologation decides what may be used at FIE events, a standard decides what a label means, the national body and the club decide what is required below FIE level, and the armourer and officials check the kit on the day. The FIE's own Technical Rules (December 2024 edition, t.20) say that fencers equip themselves and fence at their own risk, and that the safety measures in the rules reinforce safety without guaranteeing it.

Lessons come before kit

We suggest a first season starts with lessons from a qualified coach, and that you ask the club what kit it lends and what protection level it requires before buying anything. The coaching structures are on how people learn: for example, USA Fencing has required its coach members to complete its Foundation of Fencing Coaching Course since the 2023-24 season, and British Fencing describes Level 1 Assistant Coach and Level 2 Coach qualifications (on a page dated 2014, so possibly out of date). This site does not recommend any club, coach, armourer or shop.

Seven things these guides keep repeating

• Three weapons, never merged. Foil, epee and sabre have different targets, blades, masks, gloves and scoring circuits. A rule for one weapon is never presented as a rule for another, and the weapon kit guide keeps each in its own section.
• The competition's level and the club decide. At FIE events the Material Rules (August 2026) require jackets, under-plastrons and breeches of cloth resisting 800 Newtons (m.25.3.c) and a mask bib of 1600 Newtons (m.25.7.d). Below FIE level each national body sets its own levels, as the next point shows.
• National rules differ, with dates. British Fencing's Equipment by Activity page (updated 2 October 2026) uses CEN 1 (350 Newtons) and CEN 2 (800 Newtons) clothing and a 350N or 1600N mask bib depending on the activity and event. USA Fencing's Rules for Competition (October 2026) accept a 350 Newton mask bib and do not require FIE-homologated uniforms or masks. The national equipment rules page sets them side by side.
• The standard's text was not read. EN 13567:2002+A1:2007 is the edition in force for fencing protective clothing, and a revision is in progress at CEN. Its text is sold by standards bodies and was not read for this site, so the 350 N and 800 N level figures come from bodies that apply it, chiefly British Fencing. British Fencing also says that meeting Level 2 does not make an item FIE-approved.
• No gear is prevention. No mask, jacket, plastron, glove or blade is presented here as preventing injury. The IOC's fencing injury chapter (Harmer, 2010) says that, as of its publication, no research had tested the efficacy of the FIE's safety-related equipment and rule changes. An injury needs medical care, and the research is in the safety section.
• No fitting, sizing or armoury. Mask and jacket sizing, grip choice, blade mounting, wiring, straightening, repair and testing are named but never described. They are for a qualified coach or armourer in person.
• No prices. The guides contain no money figures of any kind.

Where to start

• Starting out? The beginner fencing kit guide sets out what beginners' classes are required to wear and what to buy first.
• Choosing a mask? The fencing masks guide covers the bib levels, the rear safety systems and why foil, epee and sabre masks differ.
• Jackets, plastrons and breeches? The protective clothing guide sets out the newton levels, chest protectors and gloves.
• Buying for a child? The kids' fencing kit guide starts from youth blade sizes and the 350 N levels by age.
• Picking a weapon? The foil, epee or sabre kit guide gives each weapon's own kit.
• Moving to electric fencing? The electric fencing kit guide covers lames, body cords and mask cords, weapon by weapon.
• Buying a present? The gift guide sticks to items that do not depend on a protection level or on fitting.

A weapon's length, blade length and weight can be compared with the FIE limits for that weapon using the weapon spec checker.

How we handle sources

The FIE, national bodies such as British Fencing and USA Fencing, standards bodies, regulators and peer-reviewed researchers are our primary sources. Where sources disagree, we give each version and who says it. Where a document could not be read, such as the text of EN 13567 or British Fencing's 24th edition of its Safety Guidelines (listed as Board approved in September 2026), we say so rather than fill the gap. Everything here is summarised as of 26 October 2026; the current text of the rule or standard, and the organiser's own rules for an event, take precedence over this summary.