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)

ItemStatus
Fencing mask – 350N Required
Red Dragon gloves Required
GorgetRequired
Box/groin guardRecommended – according to anatomy
Chest protectorRecommended
Heavy gloves (Sparring Gloves, SPES Heavy, etc.)Recommended

Longsword (Steel)

ItemStatus
Fencing Mask – 350N or 1600NRequired
Back of head protectorRequired
GorgetRequired
350N or 800N HEMA jacketRequired
Heavy gloves (Sparring Gloves, SPES Heavy, etc.)Required
Hard elbow protectionRequired
Hard knee protectionRequired
Box/groin protectionRequired – according to anatomy
Hard shin protectionRecommended
Forearm guardsRecommended, required for short gloves (Thokks, Sparring Glove Hourglass cuffs)
Chest protectorRecommended, 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.
ItemStatus
Fencing Mask – 350NRequired
GorgetRequired
Fencing jacket – HEMA or sports fencingRequired
Light HEMA gloves – leather gloves or motorcycle gloves etc.Required
Chest protectorRequired
Box/groin protectionRecommended – according to anatomy

Smallsword

ItemStatus
Fencing mask – 350NRequired
Sport fencing jacket or light HEMA jacketRequired
Chest protectorRequired
Light HEMA gloves – leather gloves or motorcycle gloves etc.Required
GorgetRecommended
Box/groin protectionRecommended – according to anatomy

Sabre (Steel)

ItemStatus
Fencing mask – 350NRequired
GorgetRequired
350N or 800N HEMA jacketRequired
Red Dragon gloves (minumum, Thokks preferred)Required
Hard elbow protectionRequired
Hard knee protectionRequired
Box/groin protectionRequired – according to anatomy
Hard shin protectionRecommended
Forearm guardsRecommended
Chest protectorRecommended, required for lighter jackets (SPES Officer, AP Light)

Sabre (nylon)

ItemStatus
Fencing mask – 350NRequired
GorgetRequired
Red Dragon gloveRequired
350N or 800N HEMA jacketRecommended
Box/groin protectionRecommended – according to anatomy