What gear should I get?

There are two common trajectories for fencers: fencing as a "lifetime sport" for pleasure and fitness, and fencing competitively at the local or national level. I have created headers for these  categories to make this email easier to follow. Skip to "III. Next Steps" at the end for beginning set suggestions and a sample order form.

Fencing casually/Occasional attendance

Before we get into the fine detail, I will say at this point that if you intend to fence 2 weeks per month or fewer moving forward, then kindly follow up with me to drop off gear before the end of next week. I would love to work with you to acquire your own gear to fence at the pace that works for you, but I need to make borrowed gear available to the Introductory class as soon as possible. Class gear can still be borrowed on a daily basis if available and returned at the end of each class.

I. Fencing for pleasure and fitness

There are five pieces of minimum gear required to participate in class. There is generally no need to purchase a more expensive option for any of the following, just make sure to meet some general requirements listed below:

1. Glove: a simple glove that fits is fine, use the current glove being used as a guide for the right size to purchase

2. Foil: make sure to select #5 size (this is usually the default if the option doesn't appear). Practice or electric are both fine for regular class, but I recommend getting an electric weapon for future-proofing.

French grips are used for all non-electric weapons in class but if your fencer has used a pistol grip that they prefer during class then that is also fine to purchase.

The white grips are all Belgian grips; the orange/blue/black grips are, respectively, small/medium/large Visconti; and the large red grip is a large Belgian that is less commonly sold now.

3. Jacket: the first two digits in the number on the collar of the class jackets is the size. Adjust up or down one size if the current borrowed jacket doesn't fit perfectly

4. Mask: Foil mask with mesh/INOX bib is the right one to get. Check current borrowed gear for sizing, but almost everyone fits a medium mask. Surprisingly, masks are pretty adjustable up to about an inch either horizontally or vertically.

5. Plastic Chest Protector: US Fencing Association requires this for all females, and I require it for anyone in my class under age 14. Consult your borrowed gear for form and size.

* Basic Electric gear: the equipment above is enough for regular class, but eventually you may want to also acquire personal electric scoring gear. One electric foil, one body cord, and one mask cord, and an underarm protector are the minimum for the electric scoring system. Otherwise more advanced students will be given preference for using class electric gear as available.

You can also consult this chart to double check sizing on all gear: https://www.absolutefencinggear.com/sizinghelp

Round up if your exact size isn't listed in the options for your gear. If measurements are close/tight, then increase to one number measurement higher (e.g. from 7 to 8 for a glove, or from 38/39 to 40 for a jacket, which are the two trickiest measurements). For perspective, a jacket that is 4" larger than your original measurement will tend to be slightly loose, not baggy. A loose glove is usable, a glove that is too small is not. Trust the sizes on your borrowed gear more than the sizing chart if there are big discrepancies if it has been comfortable.

II. Fencing competitively

The above gear is still required as well as 6 additional types of gear:

- TWO #5 Electric Foils: you can skip the practice foil above if purchasing an electric foil. Make sure to select a "complete weapon" and not just a wired blade, select the option for two-pronged connector, and match the other options (e.g. grip type) between all your foils, practice or otherwise.

- ONE Lamé: pronounced "luh-MAY", this is the vest that helps register correct touches that result in points. Get one the same size as your jacket, or 2" larger if the jacket fits closely already.

- TWO Body cords: a two-prong foil type body cord. This is what the two-prong option on the electric foil refers to in order for the scoring equipment to all be compatible.

- TWO Mask cords: like the body cord but shorter, attaching the mask mesh to the lamé to complete the scoring system

- ONE Underarm protector (a.k.a. plastron, a.k.a. half sleeve): size isn't as critical here. Get a medium unless you have a reason to think S or L would be required for you (consult the sizing chart above, in that case).

- ONE pair fencing pants: a.k.a. knickers; only required for competition, not class electric fencing, but they are usually an affordable add-on if you get them as part of a starter set, and are much more convenient for practice than normal pants

III. Next steps

1. Sit down with your fencer and review this information. They are familiar with the basic gear at this point, and will know a lot of this info. Decide what level of fencing they want to commit to for the next 6 months.

2. I recommend getting a basic beginner set from Absolute Fencing, but using the above information you might also check out Alliance Fencing or Victory Fencing, both of which are in San Francisco and open for in-person shopping and advice. To help you along, here are a couple options for online beginning sets from Absolute Fencing that will save you money:

A. Fencing for fitness/fun only, super basic, non-electric: https://www.absolutefencinggear.com/advanced-6-piece-foil-set.html

B. Use this to upgrade from Option A to basic electrics later: https://www.absolutefencinggear.com/standard-3-piece-electric-foil-set.html

C. Fencing for fitness/fun, with electrics: https://www.absolutefencinggear.com/deluxe-10-piece-electric-foil-set.html

D. Use this to upgrade from Option A to full competitive electrics later: https://www.absolutefencinggear.com/new-competition-8-piece-electric-foil-set.html

E. All-inclusive for competition: https://www.absolutefencinggear.com/deluxe-13-piece-electric-foil-set.html

Enjoy the journey of getting your first set of gear and we look forward to seeing you in class!