Getting Started: What You Need

Buying fencing kit can feel overwhelming - especially for newcomers or parents kitting out a child. Pick your weapon and we'll tailor the checklist.

Starter kit or individual items?

Many clubs will lend you equipment while you're doing a beginner course - they then like you to start buying your own so club kit stays free for new beginners. From there, you have two options:

Buying individually? What to buy first

If you decide to buy individual items rather than a starter kit, here's what we recommend, roughly in order of importance:

1. 

   Glove

   Although you can buy non-electric gloves, it's almost always worth buying an electric glove with a Velcro cuff - it lets you easily connect your bodywire from under your sleeve to an electric weapon. By far our most popular is the Advanced fencing glove, but FIE gloves - with better protection and durability - are fast becoming more popular.

2. 

   Manchette Sabre only

   A cuff of conductive material that sabre fencers wear over a non-conductive glove cuff, so the scoring system can register hits to the forearm.

3. 

   Mask

   A good-quality mask is one of the first things to get - masks are a bit like shoes and bed in over time, becoming more and more comfortable. There's a different mask for each weapon, then a choice of FIE or non-FIE (350N). First-time buyers are usually fencing Foil or Épée, so we'd suggest the Horizon or Arena depending on your age (check your federation's requirements) - or, for the absolute best, an X-Change mask. If your club uses Leon Paul masks, check the size on the label or by the colour-coded washers on top: yellow = S, blue = M, red = L, black = XL.

4. 

   Jacket

   Most clubs supply back-zip jackets - switching to your own front-zip jacket makes a huge difference. Most fencers are best off starting with our Phoenix range; for extra protection, the Team range is a great long-term investment.

5. 

   Weapon

   The part everyone wants to buy first - but it's usually best to wait a few months. Most people start with a traditional French grip and progress to a pistol grip. For children we suggest a basic blade; adults, who hit harder, are better off with an FIE (Maraging steel) blade - more expensive, but it lasts much longer, is less likely to take a permanent bend, and saves money in the long run.

6. 

   Bodywire

   In the UK nearly every foilist uses the bayonet twist-and-push system; on the continent and in the USA the 2-pin system is more common - and the FIE now favours 2-pin, so that's what you'll see at high-level international events. They're not all the same: cheap bodywires are often made with inferior parts and cable that needs replacing more often.

7. 

   Plastron

   For non-electric or children's fencing a 350N plastron is OK - but for a small amount more, an FIE 800N plastron gives much better protection. In the UK it's almost always best to go FIE, as it's mandatory for electric fencing. Our lightweight FIE plastron is thinner and lighter than anything else available - you can hardly tell you're wearing it.

8. 

   Breeches

   Breeches come in many styles - most people choose the same style and material as their jacket so they match in look and feel.

9. 

   Shoes

   Fencing-specific shoes are only essential for advanced fencers, but many buy them for the better grip and correctly shaped sole. Fit guide: Adidas run very narrow (most people go a half size up), Hi-Tec are wider, and Nike are the lightest on the market and in the middle of the width range.

Which pieces do what?

• Breeches - robust knee-length trousers protecting the lower body while allowing free movement.
• Plastron - an extra protective layer worn under the jacket, reinforcing the chest and abdomen on your weapon side.
• Jacket - the core protective layer for torso and arms, with padding in high-risk areas. Worn for all training and events.
• Lamé (pronounced la-may) - the conductive over-jacket that registers valid hits in Foil and Sabre. Not needed for Épée, where the whole body is target.
• Glove - protects the weapon hand while keeping the dexterity to grip and manipulate the blade.
• Mask - stainless-steel mesh head protection with a secure strap. Not a helmet!

Purchasing for Children

The order we suggest buying kit is the same for children as for adults - but there are a few extra things fencing parents and grandparents need to know. If you need help, we're always happy to answer questions by phone or email.

Essential information before you order

Take actual measurements - not high-street sizes

Protective fencing clothing is not sized like high-street children's clothing. We can estimate a size from age and height, but to order accurately you'll need the child's height (full height) plus these four measurements:

Then use the size finder to convert measurements to sizes - and consider sizing up slightly for growing room.

Weapon & blade size by age

Weapons and blades are sized by age - younger fencers use shorter, lighter, more flexible blades. Know which age group your child falls into, then check the blade size tables in the Weapons section (UK 10–14s use a size 3 foil blade; elsewhere in the world it's a size 2).

Safety Standards: FIE vs Non-FIE

The “N” you see on fencing kit stands for Newtons - the minimum force needed for a blade to penetrate the material. Higher numbers mean more protection.

Minimum standard by country

Minimum 350N	Minimum FIE 800N	No minimum
UK France Australia Canada	Italy Germany	USA

Rules vary by country - if you're new, check with your coach or national federation. Where FIE kit isn't mandatory, it remains the highest standard of safety, design and style, and is our recommendation if the budget allows.

Clothing & Gloves

Leon Paul sizing uses imperial (inch) measurements. Children's kit is sized by measurement, not age - measure first, and consider sizing up slightly for growing room.

Apex FIE Jacket Apex FIE Breeches Lightweight Foil Lamé Lightweight FIE Plastron FIE ExoSkin II Glove

How each garment is sized

• Jackets - by chest measurement, in 2″ increments. Measure around the largest part of your chest with a full breath of air.
• Breeches - by waist measurement, in 2″ increments. Regular and Long leg lengths available.
• Plastrons - S / M / L / XL by chest. Fit is less critical as the jacket holds it in place.
• Lamés - designed to fit over the same size of jacket. Just order your jacket size.
• Gloves - measure around your knuckles (excluding thumb); the inch measurement is your glove size (6.5–10.5).

Use the size finder and full charts below. Most product pages also have a Size Guide link (top right) with product-specific charts. Need a tape measure? Download a printable PDF tape measure.

Chest protectors

The Econoguard and Masterguard cover the chest and sides with adjustable elastic straps. To size: measure under and around the bust while wearing a well-fitting regular bra, then check the chart on each product page.

Customisation

Under FIE regulations, international fencers must print their surname and country in blue lettering on the back of the jacket (Épée) or lamé (Foil & Sabre) - maximum 10 characters, ordered via the customise tick-box on each product page. National federation logos go on both breeches legs and jacket arms.

Masks

All Leon Paul masks use stainless-steel mesh and now include an additional safety strap. Your three choices: safety level, bib style and fitting system.

1. Safety level

FIE X-Change 1600N bib

The choice for high-level fencers: the lightest, most breathable mask available. Fully washable, with upgradeable and renewable parts - futureproof. Required for international competition.

Non-FIE 350N bib

The Horizon, Arena and Club ranges. Ideal for beginners and club fencing; not permitted at international competitions.

2. Bib style

• Fixed bib - non-removable bib with replaceable forehead padding. Chin padding is integrated with the bib and can't be replaced separately.
• X-Change - the bib slides out so you can wash, replace or swap it, and the face/forehead padding is fully interchangeable (choose softer or firmer sets).

3. Fitting system

• Traditional / Spring Case - the time-tested design with a bendable steel “tongue” you shape for a custom fit.
• Contour-Fit - a plastic disc system with horizontal and vertical straps at the back of the head for a snug, stable fit.

Customisation

X-Change masks come in black, white, red or blue, with optional side text (max 8 characters), FIE-approved country flags, or bespoke designs via [email protected]. Allow 2–3 working days.

SWE Flag Sabre Mask AUT Flag Foil Mask ESP Flag Foil Mask CHN Flag Épée Mask

Weapons & Components

Two ways to buy: pick a recommended complete weapon (just choose hand and blade size) or use the custom weapon creator to select every component - hand, grip type, blade, guard, pad, socket, grip and pommel.

Custom Foil Creator Custom Épée Creator Custom Sabre Creator

Blades: FIE vs non-FIE

• FIE blades (Maraging steel) - lighter, more flexible, withstand very high bending cycles, corrosion-resistant, certified for international competition. More expensive, but they last much longer and are less likely to take a permanent bend - less time straightening the blade under your foot, and cheaper in the long run. Recommended for adults, who hit harder.
• Non-FIE blades (Carbon steel) - UK-sourced low carbon steel, tempered and heat-treated. Extremely rugged, great value for beginners, children, clubs and domestic competition.

Blade sizes are set by age - your weapon is highlighted

Grips & tangs

The tang is the part of the blade that runs into the handle - and it decides which grips fit:

• Long tang → French grip, secured with a pommel. More balanced and stable; ideal for parrying and subtle blade work.
• Short tang → Pistol or Belgium grip, secured with a nut. Lighter and more nimble; the pistol grip is moulded to the hand for maximum control, while the Belgium grip is longer and slimmer - comfortable for larger hands.

Guards

• Lightweight (Duralumin) - 30% lighter than standard; favoured in Foil and Épée for speed.
• Standard (steel) - added weight for stability and control; common in Épée and Sabre.
• Titan - single-press high-grade aluminium containing titanium; a versatile mid-weight.

Sockets, pommels & nuts

• Foil & Sabre - 2-pin sockets. The Sabre socket is permanently shortened (no wire connections); the Foil socket connects to the blade wire via the correct terminal.
• Épée - 3-pin in-line sockets; lightweight versions available for building an ultra-light weapon.
• Pommels (French) and nuts (pistol) secure the blade and let you tune the weapon's weight and balance.
• Bodywires - in the UK nearly every foilist uses the bayonet twist-and-push system; on the continent and in the USA the 2-pin system is more common. The FIE now favours 2-pin, so that's what's used at high-level international events. Avoid cheap bodywires - inferior parts and cable need replacing more often.

Shoes & Socks

Shoes

Fencing shoes need three things: grip for precise footwork and lunges, support to withstand the sport's demands, and lightweight flexibility for quick reactions. Our best seller is the Nike Ballestra 2 - specialised rubber soles, reinforced panels and lightweight construction.

To maximise lifespan: clean regularly, air dry after each session, keep them for fencing only, and replace when the soles show significant wear.

Nike Ballestra 2 Lightning Fencing Shoes Coral Fencing Shoes Advanced Fencing Socks

Socks

Three ranges: Advanced (Thermacool anti-microbial, moisture-wicking), and Quality / Enhanced (anti-bacterial yarn embedded for life, padded shins, thicker soles, reinforced toe and heel).

Bags

Purpose-built compartments for weapons, masks and uniforms - with shoulder or backpack straps, wheels on larger bags, and water-resistant hardwearing materials.

The Vertex

Our latest bag - designed for vertical use and transport with easy access to everything. Outer made from 100% recycled bottles with a water-resistant layer.

The Apex & Team Bag

Popular full-kit bags with individualised compartments and padded weapon sleeves. Stand upright to save floor space.

Weapon bags

Duel Weapon Bag and Weapon Carrier Pro - dedicated pockets to organise weapons separately, carried on your back.

The FreeRoller

Wheeled option for effortless transport between home, club and competition.

All bags can be personalised with your name or country code.

Size Charts

Type a measurement and get your size instantly, or open the full charts below. All charts from the official Leon Paul Size Guide. Printable tape measure (PDF).

Caring for Your Kit