Fencing typically requires a lot of personal gear in order to keep you safe whilst you have fun. Most clubs, HVFC included, have a large selection of gear that you can borrow until you are ready to purchase your own.

Protective gear comes with different ratings, 350N or 800N. 350N is sufficient for training and most local tournaments, but 800N is usually required for national and international competitions. Fencing gear is traditionally white, though more colours are beginning to join the ranks. However, black cannot be worn by fencers, as this is reserved for coaches.
For more info on safety and buying guide, click here.

Jacket

This is the outer layer of protection. A jacket is made from strong materials designed to absorb the strength of a hit, and prevent sharp objects (such as broken swords) from penetrating.

Plastron

This is worn under the jacket to provide a second layer of protection on the sword-arm side of your body, where you are hit most often.

Chest Protector

This is a hard, plastic covering worn under the jacket and plastron to help reduce the impact of a hit.

Glove

This is only worn on the sword-hand, to protect your fingers and hand from fast moving weapons.

Breeches

Made of a similar material to a jacket, breeches protect your legs and waist from weapons. However, they usually stop just below the knee, so a complemented with a pair of long socks.

Lamé

This is a metallic weave vest (foil and sabre only), used to conduct a current through your opponent’s sword to determine when a point has been scored.

Body/head wire:

These are used to connect your weapon and lamé to a centralised scoring box so that the referee knows when a point has been scored.