This list outlines the required and recommended pieces of equipment for in-club sparring. This does not extend to external organisations and particularly tournaments, who will often have more stringent requirements. Most tournaments will require virtually all of the “optional” pieces of kit.
New Students
We have a good amount of equipment we can lend so all you need to bring is clothing you can exercise in and a bottle of water. If you have your own fencing equipment, please bring it and our instructors will assess its suitability.
For more experienced students, we have club kit (including hard knee/shin/forearm protection and heavier jackets) that means you can start training and sparring with steel without needing to buy kit.
Sparring Requirements
Longsword (Nylon)
Item
Status
Fencing mask – 350N
Required
Red Dragon gloves
Required
Gorget
Required
Box/groin guard
Recommended – according to anatomy
Chest protector
Recommended
Heavy gloves (Sparring Gloves, SPES Heavy, etc.)
Recommended
Longsword (Steel)
Item
Status
Fencing Mask – 350N or 1600N
Required
Back of head protector
Required
Gorget
Required
350N or 800N HEMA jacket
Required
Heavy gloves (Sparring Gloves, SPES Heavy, etc.)
Required
Hard elbow protection
Required
Hard knee protection
Required
Box/groin protection
Required – according to anatomy
Hard shin protection
Recommended
Forearm guards
Recommended, required for short gloves (Thokks, Sparring Glove Hourglass cuffs)
Chest protector
Recommended, required for lighter jackets (SPES Officer, AP Light)
Rapier Sparring
Weapons and Off-hand
Steel Rapier – (Must be intended for HEMA, blunt and spatulated at the tip. Bullet tips are available from the club.) Cup hilts highly recommended for sparring.
Steel Dagger – Must be intended for HEMA and flexible enough to thrust safely. Sail hilt highly recommended for sparring.
Cloak – Optional, should be hard-wearing and unlikely to tear. Beach towels acceptable substitute.
Item
Status
Fencing Mask – 350N
Required
Gorget
Required
Fencing jacket – HEMA or sports fencing
Required
Light HEMA gloves – leather gloves or motorcycle gloves etc.
Required
Chest protector
Required
Box/groin protection
Recommended – according to anatomy
Smallsword
Item
Status
Fencing mask – 350N
Required
Sport fencing jacket or light HEMA jacket
Required
Chest protector
Required
Light HEMA gloves – leather gloves or motorcycle gloves etc.
Required
Gorget
Recommended
Box/groin protection
Recommended – according to anatomy
Sabre (Steel)
Item
Status
Fencing mask – 350N
Required
Gorget
Required
350N or 800N HEMA jacket
Required
Red Dragon gloves (minumum, Thokks preferred)
Required
Hard elbow protection
Required
Hard knee protection
Required
Box/groin protection
Required – according to anatomy
Hard shin protection
Recommended
Forearm guards
Recommended
Chest protector
Recommended, required for lighter jackets (SPES Officer, AP Light)
