Hypertealism

An opinionated guide for packing for fencing tournaments

5 min read

Packing List

  • 1-2x uniforms
  • 2x lame
  • 2x gloves
  • 3x mask and body cords
  • 4x foils

Why three cords when tournaments require two? Because when one fails and you go to the next event, you now only would have one.

Uniforms

There are three tiers to uniforms

  1. 350N - many beginner uniforms are this. 350 newtons is how much puncture resistance it has.
  2. 800N Mid-tier - Achieve more puncture resistance through a thicker materials. Tend to be heavy.
  3. 800N High-tier - Achieve puncture resistance through advanced materials like Dyneema. Lightweight but expensive. (E.g. Allstar Startex)

Brands I am familiar with

  • Absolute Fencing 10-piece Electric Foil Starter Set - 350N; available at Victory Fencing in SF; inexpensive and works well
  • KH Fencing - direct from China brand, thin Dyneema suit is about half the price of Allstar, but the build construction is not as good either.
  • Negrini - Carried by Alliance Fencing in SF
  • Allstar Startex - This is probably the most popular premium uniform; Blue Gauntlet who are at a lot of the tournaments and The Fencing Post carry it.

Other brands include store house brands (Blue Gauntlet, Alliance, Linea, Leonark), Beyond, Carmimari, CHZE, Eurofencing, FWF, Jiang / Fencing Star, Leon Paul, Negrini, OK Fencing, PBT, Planète Escrime, Prieur, StM, Unic Fencing, Wuxi.

You can mix and match a thicker plastron (underarm protector) with thinner jacket and knickers.

Tip: When you are at a tournament, go have your kid try on the clothing they have since sizing varies a ton between brands.

Other Clothing Items

  • Gloves x2 - Kai likes JKO gloves which are made by Eurofencing. There are plenty of other brands. It is all fit and feel.
  • Chest Protector - for foil it must be padded. It is required for women. Optional for men.
  • Knee High Socks - no skin can be exposed. Anything works. We buy cheapies from Amazon.

Mask

There is basically (a) Leon Paul X-change which is expensive but all the parts are replaceable and washable and (b) other masks. It also costs what 2-3 other masks cost.

Go by comfort and price range.

Lame

They all seem the same to me. So go by fit. We usually get PBT.

You can get their name and country stenciled on the back. I think it is worth it in a sea of identical fencers. Required for higher level competitions.

Tip - fold them differently each time to avoid breaking the wire lattice due to repeated creasing and hang them the rest of the time.

Tip - Demote ones that are dying from tournament use to practice use

Shoes

Fencing, volleyball, badminton shoes are all popular. You want some heel padding to protect against heel strikes and not much toe padding so you aren’t sapping energy on lunges. Commonly mentioned models:

  • Mizuno Wave Momentum
  • Asics Gel Rocket
  • Yonex Men’s Power Cushion indoor court shoes - various models
  • Azza
  • Nike Ballestra
  • Octav
  • Etc…

Court shoes are easier to source and try on, of course.

Cords - x3

We have always used cheap mask cords and Negrini body cords (2-prong for foil) which have the best reputation. Not sure about other brands.

To keep them separate, I use this Velcro triple rifle magazine holder. It works great. I used adhesive Velcro strips on our practice bag so it can go with him to practice and stick it to the side of the LP bag when travelling. Keeps them from tangling up. (Because fencing bags are horribly allergic to sensible pockets.)

Foils - x4-5

Here is what David recommended to me to buy from The Fencing Post:

  • Blaise Frere blade
  • German FWF flat screw tip
  • Allstar Visconti Small Pistol Grip

Tip - Email Saul there with your order and tell him to set it up the way David likes.

Don’t get screwless tips since they are expensive and parts are hard to find… even if the screws suck and get lost all the time.

Do get the same model foil so the replacement parts are interchangeable.

Field Repair Kit

For taping the blade a lot of people use Progaf tape. I use Tesa Extra Power Perfect Tape 19mm / 3/4in. since it leaves a lot less residue on the blade which makes it easier to deal with.

Tip - I threw a magnet into the screw bin and spring bin to keep them in place. The things disappear easily.

Medical Kit

  • Band aids
  • Moleskin for blister prevention
  • Antiseptic wipes
  • Antibiotic cream
  • Silk medical tape
  • Ibuprofen
  • Etc…

Travel Bags

This one is a truly deep hole of mediocre product. I have a Leon Paul Vertex which IMO is the best of a lot of bad choices. A lot of people use a travel golf case.

Have a small carry bag that can take two more foils and your extra 2 cord sets around at the tournament. Those need to be strip side and many competitions make you leave your larger bag elsewhere. I use this cheap foldable mini golf bag and it works great.

Other Stuff

  • 2x Fold up stools - Many venues do not have seating. I have Hillsound BTR Stools. They are great because they come in different heights for my tall kid. Lots of people use the pop up disc ones.
  • 2x Water bottles, snacks, and replacement salt in some form

How to Pack for the First Day

Take your mask, put the glove in there, fold up the two lames, and grab your kit of three sets of wires. Then you just grab those two things and get in line for equipment check. Strip off old tags from your wires since sometimes the armorer’s don’t like that.

Other stuff keep separate… Blades get checked on the piste, so no need to worry about those

Graph View