EQUIPMENT
Maryland Fencing Club strongly recommends Absolute Fencing Gear for all of your first fencing equipment purchases. They have very reasonable prices, excellent customer service, and they tend to ship to Maryland within 5 business days or less (standard UPS shipping). Their web site address is www.absolutefencinggear.com and their telephone number is (732) 868-9003.
Click here for sizing information.
You are not required to purchase your equipment from Absolute Fencing Gear. If you bring equipment from another vendor, please be sure it meets the minimum U.S. Fencing Association safety requirements.
Pants
AF Unisex Pants: Cotton, $35 - These are the standard, budget-priced fencing pants.
AF Pants: Elite Stretchy, $44 - More form-fitting, comfortable pants with more give/stretch.
Backzip Cotton Jackets $38
Mens' Backzip Jacket
Womens' Backzip Jacket
Frontzip Cotton Stretchable Jackets $52 - We recommend these for beginners. The zipper is in the front so it's easier to put on and take off, and it has some nylon, providing a much more comfortable fit than the backzip jackets.
When ordering a frontzip jacket, you must specify which hand you fence with: right or left.
Mens' Frontzip Cotton Jacket Stretchable
Womens' Frontzip Cotton Jacket Stretchable
Required Protection - These items are required by the U.S. Fencing Association rules.
Absolute Women's Breast Protectors* (Pair) $9 - Required for girls and women.
AF Athletic Supporter Cup $13 - Required for boys and men.
Underarm Protector - Required for all fencers, it fits under the jacket, over the sword arm.
Other Protection
Men's Plastic Chest Guard $27
Women's Plastic Chest Guard* $27 - Girls and women only need either a pair of breast protectors or a plastic chest guard (not both).
Standard Epee Mask $49 This is a solid, well-priced mask.
Equipment Bag $30
Shoes - For beginners, any kind of low-soled athletic shoes with good traction that fit snugly around the feet (no "slipper shoes") are fine for beginners. After your first beginner class, it is recommended that you have a pair of shoes just for fencing that you keep in your fencing bag. When you are ready to buy fencing shoes, this guide is recommended: Comprehensive Guide to Fencing Shoes
Electric Epee Equipment for Open Bouting
Absolute Standard Epee Bodycord, $13 - This is the recommended, standard epee body cord.
Electric Epee Absolute Standard E. Epee w/Pistol Grip (as configured below)
Blade Size = 5 (ages 10 & under as of Jan. 1 should get blade size 2)
Grip = AF Vis. Pistol Size M (generally speaking 6' (ish) tall size L, under 5' tall size S)
Guard = AF Aluminum Light Epee Guard
Pad = AF Plastic Pad
Point = German Point (German points are worth the extra money, see staff for details)
Socket = AF Epee Socket
Please discuss blade and grip size with our staff before you place your electric epee order.