Which fencing gear you actually need, what the safety standards really mean and in which order to buy it smartly – without burning money on wrong purchases.
What do I actually have to buy for fencing – and what does it cost? The honest answer: almost nothing to start, because your club lends you the essentials. And when you do buy, there's a clear order that saves you hundreds in wrong purchases. Your protective gear isn't an accessory but the reason fencing is so safe: jackets must withstand a penetration force of 800 newtons, the mask bib even 1600 newtons. That's safety cast into standards. In this guide we go through every piece – from mask to shoe – explain what the standards mean, and set the order in which you invest smartly. Because not every item gives you equal value.
Fencing gear is strictly standardised. Competition follows CEN level 2: protective clothing withstands 800 N penetration force, the mask bib 1600 N, the mask mesh 1000 N. These values are tested with a puncture machine. For you that means: don't buy no-name gear without CE/FIE marking. The standard is the difference between a safe sport and a risk.
Imagine you have a limited budget. Buy in this order: first mask and glove (personal hygiene, fit matters most), then jacket and underarm protector, then the weapon, lastly shoes. This way you own early the pieces that sit close to the body and are unpleasant borrowed, and defer the pricier, postponable items.
The mask must sit snugly without wobbling – always try it on. The glove on the weapon hand protects and gives grip; here too fit beats price. These two pieces touch you most directly and are hard to borrow used.
The jacket and underarm protector together form the required penetration protection. Get the right size: too tight limits mobility, too loose slips. The breeches reach over the knee with long socks underneath – no bare skin on the piste.
Now the weapon of your discipline. Blades must be made of maraging steel, which survives more bending cycles and breaks less often – so it's safer. The balance point determines the "feel": balanced closer to the hand, the point reacts faster and more precisely. As a beginner take a solid standard blade; fine-tuning comes later.
Fencing shoes aren't a must to start, but a sensible first upgrade. In one study attack time was shorter in fencing shoes (0.92 s) than in an ordinary court shoe (0.96 s), and a heel cup lowered impact forces at the ankle. If you fence regularly it's worth it – before that, firm indoor shoes are enough.
Always wear full gear when fencing – in training too, even for "just a quick one". Regularly check mask and jacket for tears and the blade for burrs or kinks; a damaged blade is replaced, not fenced on. Only buy gear with CE/FIE marking that meets the standard values.
Invest first in a properly well-fitting mask, not a fancy weapon. A wobbling or pinching mask ruins every session – you get distracted and cautious. A perfectly fitting mask, by contrast, you forget entirely and can focus on fencing. Fit beats looks, every time.
Mandatory is full protective gear: mask, jacket, underarm protector on the weapon-arm side, glove, breeches and long socks – no bare skin. For foil and sabre an electric vest is added for scoring. This clothing meets standardised penetration values (800 N jacket, 1600 N mask bib) and makes the sport safe.
No. Almost every club provides loan gear for the first weeks. Only buy once you're staying, and then in a smart order: mask and glove first (fit, hygiene), then jacket, then weapon, lastly shoes. That avoids costly wrong purchases.
Measurably yes. In one study attack time was shorter in fencing shoes (0.92 s) than in a court shoe (0.96 s), and a heel cup reduced impact forces at the ankle. For starting, firm indoor shoes are enough; once you fence regularly, fencing shoes are your first sensible upgrade.
By the CE/FIE marking and standard values. Competition gear meets CEN level 2: 800 N for clothing, 1600 N for the mask bib, 1000 N for the mesh. Blades must be maraging steel. Stay away from unmarked cheap gear – the standard is your safety promise.
Fechten: Basic Stance and Fundamentals