Guide to Ordering Fencing Gear from Absolute Fencing.
We provide equipment to borrow when you first begin fencing at our school. However, once you decide that you want to regularly train in fencing, you should purchase your own set of gear. (After a few visits a student should be able to make that decision.)
Below is a guide to help you in that process. We are not the sellers of this equipment (nor do we have any business affiliation) so any detailed questions or concerns should be directed to Absolute Fencing. If the link we are providing does not work then please let us know and we will update this page.
The three sets I provide links for below meet the safety requirements of USA Fencing and are for non-electric (standard) fencing. If you are buying equipment for electric fencing competition these sets listed will NOT meet those needs.
Link for Standard 5-Piece Foil Starter Set (mask, glove, jacket, weapon, cotton plastron). Budget friendly but no bag. About $200. Spend $13 more and upgrade the jacket to the side zip stretch panel option would be my advice. If you want the bag order the 6-Piece Set.
Link for Standard 6-Piece Foil Starter Set (mask, glove, jacket, weapon, cotton plastron, fencing bag). Budget friendly with bag. About $235. This set I feel is the best value but I would spend $13 more and upgrade the jacket to the side zip stretch panel option.
Link for Advanced 5-Piece Foil Starter Set (mask, glove, jacket, weapon, cotton plastron). A little more expensive ($235) with more options and upgrades. If you want a bag you will need to add it separately into the cart because it is not bundled. The only reason to select this option is because of the weapon is a little nicer. The glove is slightly better but the jacket upgrade you can also select as upgrade in the "Standard Set. The "Advanced Set" does not include a bag but you add that to the cart separately. The basic bags are available here.
For exact sizing guides on all equipments this link will show you how to size and measure. I will provide general sizing tips as well on each item that are more "anecdotal."
1.Mask
A. Sizes. Most youth are a (S) small. Most adults and teens are a (M) medium. If you have a big head then you are a (L) large. If you have a big head, big hair, wear glasses, and might be a kaiju, then you alone are an XL. If you are an XS then you are likely too young for me to train you.
B. "Standard Foil Starter Set" will give you two choices of the mask bib type. Standard mask or a conductive bib. Either is fine for class. If you ever wanted to upgrade equipment to compete though in foil (electric equip required for that) the conductive bib is a must. So spend the extra five dollars now. However... if you ever wanted to compete in epee later then DO NOT get the conductive bib.
The "Advanced Set" mask has three choices because you can also opt for a removable bib.
2. Glove
A. Sizes. "Standard Set" is sized XS, S, M, L, XL. Most kids are a S, most adults a M, and if you have slighter bigger hands as an adult get the L. The "Advanced Set" uses a number system and I slightly disagree with their posted equivalences between the S/M/L/XL and their numbers because their nicer gloves are a little smaller in the wrist area so I find I have to add a half size. So having dealt with this for myself and others, I would do it this way. S (8.5), M (9.5), L (10.5). If not sure though, reference their sizing measurement guides.
B. R/L. Make sure you are getting the Right or Left based on the hand you are fencing with. Also double check before checkout that it didn't change somehow back to default before you confirm order.
Jacket.
A. Style choices. "Standard Set" in both genders you will have choice of cotton back zip or for $13 more a cotton with stretch panel side zip and more nuanced sizing. If this is the only upgrade you do -- do at least this for yourself! Make sure you select appropriate gender because the female jacket has extra protection in the chest area. "Advanced Set" has the upgraded suggestion included (same side zip stretch panel. Again select appropriate gender. It has an additional unisex padded jacket option -- DO NOT SELECT THAT OPTION! That jacket is bulky and will make you everyone's favorite target on the fencing strip. However, if you have classmate you don't like then order this jacket for them! Totally worth the money to watch them get stabbed all of those extra times.
B. Sizing. Consult their size charts but here is a quick summary. Most kids (XS 32 or 34). Larger kids/teens (S 36 or 38). Adults who wear Adult Medium T-shirt (M 40 or 42). Adults who wear an Adult Large T-shirt (L 44 of 46). Adults who wear an XL T-shirt (XL 48 or 50). They also have sizes available smaller and larger than what I just summarized.
C. R/L. Make sure you are getting the Right or Left based on the hand you are fencing with. Also double check before checkout that it didn't change somehow back to default before you confirm order.
Cotton Plastron. Sizing same as jackets -- see above. This is a "half jacket" layer you wear under your jacket. No R/L selection required.
Weapon (Foil):
A. Grip. Choose french grip. (Pistol grip is an option for competition after you are well trained with french grip.) Also select Right or Left.
B. Size. #2 if you are 8-10 years old. Ages 11 and up through adult should use a #5 blade. Note: if you are 11 years and older but under 5'2" I think a #4 would serve you better. However, the #4 is only an option in the "Advanced Foil Set.")
C. Type. Practice (not electric). In class we do not fence electric. The electric option is abbreviated in their menu as "E. FOIL" and costs an extra $20. (Note that you can use this in class but it just wont actually do anything differently because you will not be plugged into an electric fencing system. Even if you decide to compete I would just buy electric foils for that and use a standard practice foil in class.)
D. "Standard Set" vs "Advanced Set". All of the above apply to both sets. The difference is that the "Advanced Set" uses their "Gold Blade" which is slightly better quality (in terms of balance and weight).
Bag: On the "Standard 6-Piece Set" you select the included bag in the color of your choice. On the "Advanced 5-Piece Set" you will have to add it to the cart separately thus the same bag will cost you 15% more because it was not bundled with the deal.
Pants: Not included in the set by default, but you have option to add them to the set order at a 15% discounted rate. If you compete you will need them. In class, most students just wear sweat pants. Never wear shorts to class. No exposed skin allowed for safety reasons.
Chest Protector. Save your money. These plastic covers do "protect more" but I would rather feel the touch then endure the misery of wearing them. Your jacket and plastron already meet USA Fencing safety standards and this giant sheet of plastic will inspire you to hate fencing and take up pickleball instead.
Below is a guide to help you in that process. We are not the sellers of this equipment (nor do we have any business affiliation) so any detailed questions or concerns should be directed to Absolute Fencing. If the link we are providing does not work then please let us know and we will update this page.
The three sets I provide links for below meet the safety requirements of USA Fencing and are for non-electric (standard) fencing. If you are buying equipment for electric fencing competition these sets listed will NOT meet those needs.
Link for Standard 5-Piece Foil Starter Set (mask, glove, jacket, weapon, cotton plastron). Budget friendly but no bag. About $200. Spend $13 more and upgrade the jacket to the side zip stretch panel option would be my advice. If you want the bag order the 6-Piece Set.
Link for Standard 6-Piece Foil Starter Set (mask, glove, jacket, weapon, cotton plastron, fencing bag). Budget friendly with bag. About $235. This set I feel is the best value but I would spend $13 more and upgrade the jacket to the side zip stretch panel option.
Link for Advanced 5-Piece Foil Starter Set (mask, glove, jacket, weapon, cotton plastron). A little more expensive ($235) with more options and upgrades. If you want a bag you will need to add it separately into the cart because it is not bundled. The only reason to select this option is because of the weapon is a little nicer. The glove is slightly better but the jacket upgrade you can also select as upgrade in the "Standard Set. The "Advanced Set" does not include a bag but you add that to the cart separately. The basic bags are available here.
For exact sizing guides on all equipments this link will show you how to size and measure. I will provide general sizing tips as well on each item that are more "anecdotal."
1.Mask
A. Sizes. Most youth are a (S) small. Most adults and teens are a (M) medium. If you have a big head then you are a (L) large. If you have a big head, big hair, wear glasses, and might be a kaiju, then you alone are an XL. If you are an XS then you are likely too young for me to train you.
B. "Standard Foil Starter Set" will give you two choices of the mask bib type. Standard mask or a conductive bib. Either is fine for class. If you ever wanted to upgrade equipment to compete though in foil (electric equip required for that) the conductive bib is a must. So spend the extra five dollars now. However... if you ever wanted to compete in epee later then DO NOT get the conductive bib.
The "Advanced Set" mask has three choices because you can also opt for a removable bib.
2. Glove
A. Sizes. "Standard Set" is sized XS, S, M, L, XL. Most kids are a S, most adults a M, and if you have slighter bigger hands as an adult get the L. The "Advanced Set" uses a number system and I slightly disagree with their posted equivalences between the S/M/L/XL and their numbers because their nicer gloves are a little smaller in the wrist area so I find I have to add a half size. So having dealt with this for myself and others, I would do it this way. S (8.5), M (9.5), L (10.5). If not sure though, reference their sizing measurement guides.
B. R/L. Make sure you are getting the Right or Left based on the hand you are fencing with. Also double check before checkout that it didn't change somehow back to default before you confirm order.
Jacket.
A. Style choices. "Standard Set" in both genders you will have choice of cotton back zip or for $13 more a cotton with stretch panel side zip and more nuanced sizing. If this is the only upgrade you do -- do at least this for yourself! Make sure you select appropriate gender because the female jacket has extra protection in the chest area. "Advanced Set" has the upgraded suggestion included (same side zip stretch panel. Again select appropriate gender. It has an additional unisex padded jacket option -- DO NOT SELECT THAT OPTION! That jacket is bulky and will make you everyone's favorite target on the fencing strip. However, if you have classmate you don't like then order this jacket for them! Totally worth the money to watch them get stabbed all of those extra times.
B. Sizing. Consult their size charts but here is a quick summary. Most kids (XS 32 or 34). Larger kids/teens (S 36 or 38). Adults who wear Adult Medium T-shirt (M 40 or 42). Adults who wear an Adult Large T-shirt (L 44 of 46). Adults who wear an XL T-shirt (XL 48 or 50). They also have sizes available smaller and larger than what I just summarized.
C. R/L. Make sure you are getting the Right or Left based on the hand you are fencing with. Also double check before checkout that it didn't change somehow back to default before you confirm order.
Cotton Plastron. Sizing same as jackets -- see above. This is a "half jacket" layer you wear under your jacket. No R/L selection required.
Weapon (Foil):
A. Grip. Choose french grip. (Pistol grip is an option for competition after you are well trained with french grip.) Also select Right or Left.
B. Size. #2 if you are 8-10 years old. Ages 11 and up through adult should use a #5 blade. Note: if you are 11 years and older but under 5'2" I think a #4 would serve you better. However, the #4 is only an option in the "Advanced Foil Set.")
C. Type. Practice (not electric). In class we do not fence electric. The electric option is abbreviated in their menu as "E. FOIL" and costs an extra $20. (Note that you can use this in class but it just wont actually do anything differently because you will not be plugged into an electric fencing system. Even if you decide to compete I would just buy electric foils for that and use a standard practice foil in class.)
D. "Standard Set" vs "Advanced Set". All of the above apply to both sets. The difference is that the "Advanced Set" uses their "Gold Blade" which is slightly better quality (in terms of balance and weight).
Bag: On the "Standard 6-Piece Set" you select the included bag in the color of your choice. On the "Advanced 5-Piece Set" you will have to add it to the cart separately thus the same bag will cost you 15% more because it was not bundled with the deal.
Pants: Not included in the set by default, but you have option to add them to the set order at a 15% discounted rate. If you compete you will need them. In class, most students just wear sweat pants. Never wear shorts to class. No exposed skin allowed for safety reasons.
Chest Protector. Save your money. These plastic covers do "protect more" but I would rather feel the touch then endure the misery of wearing them. Your jacket and plastron already meet USA Fencing safety standards and this giant sheet of plastic will inspire you to hate fencing and take up pickleball instead.
