HEMA Protective Equipment

Here you will find what kit you are going to need, in what order to acquire it, and from where it is best to buy it.

We will endeavour to keep this list as up to date as possible.
(Last updated 22 October 2025)

Contents

  • Explanation of terms
  • Names and explanation of equipment
  • Order to buy kit
  • Price range and where to find
  • Complete HEMA kits, prices, pros-and-cons

Explanation of terms

  • CEN1 and CEN2. These are levels of protection masks can have, CEN1(350N) is the weaker of the two and may not be acceptable for tournaments or high intensity sparring. This newton rating only refers to the bib of the mask.
  • 350N and 1600N. Refers to how high a Newton rating an item has, this is how much force is required to puncture said item. 
  • Newton Rating. The rating kit is given. The higher the number the greater amount of force required to puncture the equipment 

Names and explanation of equipment

Specific kit

  • Gorget . Protects the throat and neck. (Worn under the mask)
  • Cup/Groin Guard/Box. Hard plastic insert worn in a jockstrap or compression shorts in order to protect the genitalia.
  • Mask Overlay/Back of Head. Protect the back of your head and go over or inside your fencing mask.
  • Mask. Fencing mask worn over the head to protect the head and eyes.
  • Jacket. Newton rated jacket usually with some amount of padding
  • Trousers/Breeches. Newton rated trousers with some amount of padding.
  • Skirt. Padded skirt can be worn as additional padding over upper legs or in place of breaches (in specific contexts)
  • Chest Protector. Hard plate (Usually plastic) worn under the jacket to protect the ribs and chest from impact
  • Forearm guards. Hard protectors worn over the lower arm. Typically made from plastic, hardened leather, Styrogum or other such materials
  • Elbow/Knee cups. Hard protectors worn over the elbow/knees. Typically made from plastic,  Styrogum or other such materials
  • Shins/Shinny. Hard protectors worn over the front of the shin bone either under or over the sock.

Glove Types 

  • Undergloves. Unrated, non-padded gloves worn under heavier gloves, for comfort and abrasion resistance.
  • Light gloves. Gloves which have minimal padding and tend to be 350N. These can be used for basket hilts, rapier, and smallsword. Sometimes we recommend these for light drilling or technical play only with open hilt weapons.
  • Medium gloves. These are slightly more padded but not suitable for longsword sparring. These include Red Dragons, HFA Black Princes, standard Thokk Weapon Master, and Superior Fencing High Impact Gloves (AKAโ€thokk offsโ€)
  • Heavy Gloves. These are gloves that are suited for full intensity sparring even with steel longswords, and other open hilt weapons. These can include Sparring Gloves Mittens, Hoofs, or Infinity, SPES heavies, and other clam shell style gloves. Some five finger gloves are considered heavy but not recommended for new fencers. 

Order to buy kit

  1. Fencing Mask
  2. Cup/box (groin protector)
  3. Gloves (suitable for weapons studied)
  4. Gorget (neck and throat protector)
  5. Overlay (back-of-head protector)
  6. Jacket+Elbows
  7. Chest protector
  8. Sword
  9. Breeches+Knees
  10. Shins

Price Range and Where to Find

1.0 Fencing Masks

We highly recommend getting a CEN level 2 mask AKA 1600n as they offer a greater level of protection in both the mesh and fabric bib.

A CEN level 1 mask is okay for in-club use for classes and drilling but not suitable for steel sparring. A Level 1 mask is also likely to be failed at kit check for most events both in and outwith Scotland. If you are only interested in HEMA as a social, low-intensity activity and are not interested in doing high intensity sparring or competitive fighting, then a CEN.1/350N mask will be sufficient.

1.1 Allstar Masters Mask 1600N ยฃ174

1.2 Red Dragon Tournament Fencing Mask-1600N  ยฃ150

1.3 PBT 1600N HEMA Mask   ยฃ157

1.4 WUKUSI-COBRA-1600N ยฃ400

2.0 Cup / Box / Genital Protector

Although only required for those with external genitals we do highly recommend that everyone wear a box in order to protect their genitals.

Commonly these are worn via a jockstrap or held in a pocket within compression shorts. Both options are perfectly fine; it is just down to personal choice. 

We do however require that they are worn underneath your breeches. This is done to avoid the risk of sword getting under the box and causing injury

Our recommendations 

2.1 Shock Doctor Shorts and Cup ยฃ20-ยฃ50

2.2 AHA groin Guards/Red Dragon/Blitz etc ยฃ15/ยฃ25

3.0 Light Gloves For smallsword, Knife/Dagger, Rapier*, Drilling

More less any modern Olympic fencing (MOF) style padded glove will work, though it is important to remember that they are sold singularly and not in a pair. 

Alternatively you can buy leather padded gloves.

These gloves are only to be used for smallsword, knife/dagger fighting, and drilling. You can also use them for rapier but we strongly recommend something more or using finger tip protectors.

They are also used for the sword hand if you have a basket hilted broadsword.

3.1 Red Dragon Padded Swordsmanโ€™s Gloves ยฃ27

3.2 Superior Fencing Leather Padded Fencing Gloves ยฃ20

4.0 Medium Gloves For closed hilt sabre and sidesword

These gloves are usually 5 fingers in nature. This means they are used with swords that have relatively protective hilts.

4.1 HFA Black Princes ยฃ261 – By far the best medium glove on the market. Sadly they only have 1 size so do try before you buy.

4.2 Red Dragon medium gloves ยฃ59 – The bare minimum on medium gloves. They are far from the best but a decent enough starting point.

4.3 Superior Fencing Impact Resistant Gloves ยฃ113 – All-round upgrade to the Red Dragons at a higher price point, but SupFenโ€™s build quality and reliability can be an issue.

4.4. HFA Firestone 2 ยฃ61- Similar to Red Dragons, but sleeker designed.

5.0 Heavy Gloves For Longsword, Messer, Open Hilt Sabres

These gloves offer the highest amount of protection but sacrifice mobility and size to do so. They are however the only gloves that can be used for open hilt weapons.

5.1 HFA Black Knights ยฃ182 – The most popular heavy glove in the club and for good reason

5.2 CHFG Michaels ยฃ220/ยฃ250 – From what we have seen these seem to be excellent, but hard to get a hold of

5.3 CHFG Gabriels ยฃ220/ยฃ250 – Not recommended to new fencers but the only 5 finger glove we recommend as a โ€œheavyโ€ glove. Excellent mobility but inherently less protective than a clamshell.

5.4 Sparring Gloves mittens ยฃ210+ – Easily available in the centre and come with a discount if your membership is up to date. Standard gloves we recommend to all fencers – order from the manufacturer for custom sizes, colours, and upgrades like the extended cuff. 

6.0 Gorgets 

Worn around the throat to keep the neck and throat safe. This is a vital piece of equipment and should be worn whenever you have a mask on.

6.1 Vytis Light ยฃ45 – Extremely popular gorget, Great hard protection. New stock arriving at Vanguard in Nov/Dec โ€˜25

6.2 Balefire ยฃ75 – The 2nd most popular in the club, especially for those who don’t like things pressing on the neck

6.3 Red Dragon ยฃ20 – Not the best but better than nothing. Good clavicle protection until you get a jacket that covers the chest.

6.4 Superior Fencing padded gorget ยฃ28 – Similar to the Red Dragon, but with extra clavicle/shoulder padding 

7.0 Jacket 

There are countless jackets but we recommend your first is an AP or FG type jacket.

All links given to SPESjackets are to the HEMA shop but if you do not fall within the middle of the size chart we recommend ordering directly from spes.

350n vs 800n. Consensus is still not 100% on whether 800n jackets are worth it. At time of writing we recommend 350n jackets from a heat management POV.

7.1 Spes FG 350n jacket ยฃ212 – This jacket has panels that sit on the hips. This is great if you have a longer torso or if you have wide hips.

7.2 Spes AP 350n jacket ยฃ250 – The bog standard jacket, tried and true for years. 

7.3 Superior Fencing Colonel ยฃ135 – Similar to the AP but with a slightly more stylish cut. Do make sure to ask for 350n though.

7.4 Superior Fencing Standard HEMA Jacket ยฃ90 – The knock-off of the SPES APโ€ฆ perfectly acceptable budget option.

8.0 Joint Protection

Elbows

8.1 HFA Winged Elbows ยฃ26 – Probably the best elbows out there

8.2 MAC Armoury Elbow ยฃ20 – A great choice 

8.3 Spes Elbows ยฃ19 – They are alright, and worth adding on if you are already getting SPES products

Knees

8.4 HFA Knee protection Black knight ยฃ20 – Solid Choice

8.5 SF Styrogum Winged Knees ยฃ15 – The wings help a lot but you do need good shin guards to help hold them up

9.0 Overlay

We recommend hardshell overlays over fabric ones, however both are perfectly acceptable.

9.1 Wukisi Rattlesnake Overlay ยฃ74 – Most protective hard shell out there. If you are not buying a Wukisi cobra we highly recommend the rattlesnake

9.2 Spes Trinity ยฃ66.50 – Limited mobility but more protected neck

9.3 Spes Unity ยฃ66– A perfectly okay fabric overlay

10.0 Chest Protectors

A vital piece of equipment that is mandatory for those with developed breast tissue and highly recommended for all.

10.1 MAC armoury ยฃ87 – A highly popular protector for those with larger chests

10.2 Superior fencing ยฃ45 – Easily picked up from the centre.

10.3 PBT/MOF ยฃ???- If all else fails there are plenty of MOF options. We recommend against the ones with cups as they will direct force to the center of the chest and introduce sizing issues.

11.0 Fencing Trousers / Fencing Pants / Breeches / Fechthosen

On the whole the main thing you need to worry about with breeches is having them sit on your natural waist (In line with your belly button) and the leg cuffs sitting JUST below your knees.

11.1 Spes Locust/ Spes Locust womens ยฃ100 – Most popular in the club. Extra padding can be cut out if needed

11.2 Spes Meyer Pluderhose ยฃ130 – A more historical flavour with more mobility but less padding

11.3 Spes dragonfly/Spes Dragonfly womens ยฃ135 – Similar to Locusts but with a higher cut waist

11.4 Superior Fencing HEMA Pants ยฃ49 – Knock-off of the SPES Locust, available in fetching colours and patterns.

12.0 Shins

If you can get hockey/football shins down your socks they are a perfectly fine choice. If you prefer over sock options go for one of the below.

12.1 Mac Armour ยฃ53 – The best looking and fitting over sock shins

12.2 SF Padded shins ยฃ18 – A tad over built but some folk like them

12.3 Adidas Football/Hockey Shin Guards ยฃ30 – Best in-sock option, depending on shape of your legs

13.0 Forearm guards

The best fitting forearm guards are hardened leather or kydex. Most leather workers will be willing to help you on that front. If you prefer kydex there are several folk in the club who can point you in the right direction. Manufactured HEMA ones are protective and convenient, but either on the bulky side, or need to be built into your gloves.

13.1 SPES Geko Leather Arm Guards  ยฃ37 – Standard velcro strapped padded leather option

13.2 SPES Vectir Padded Arm Guards ยฃ34 – Fabric version of the same thing

Complete HEMA protective kit sets

Several manufacturers provide complete kits in a set, that allow you to be fully outfitted in a direct purchase. All of these have advantages and disadvantages. The main concern with these kits is the initial outlay of cost, which is often a large financial obligation all at once. 

Superior Fencing complete sets   – The best all-rounder for a total package.

Pros: Variety of designs for different aesthetics or historical references, huge variety of customisation options for pattern, colour, and fabric, free custom sizing, most sets come with a useful sword bag included.

Cons: No sets include a fencing mask, and the gloves are universally trash. A lot of people find the default forearm guards and shin guards to be bulky and awkward. Delivery time can be a gamble, with the โ€œ6 weeks from ordering to deliveryโ€ being a lie, from one-week to 8+ months delay to be expected. Custom sizings are also a gamble, as they can be ignored or inaccurate, with no customer service in replacing or refunding.

Shoukat MfG Packages  – The rip-off of Superior Fencingโ€™s rip-off of SPES. Similar prices and conditions as SupFen products. 

Pros: Exactly the same as SupFen

Cons: Exactly the same as SupFen

Red Dragon Starter Sets  – Default UK HEMA equipment from a UK supplier. 

Pros: Available in the UK, as long as the items are in stock you can receive them in a week or less. Great way of getting a mask, gorget, gloves, groin guard, and sword bag all in one go. Fairly affordable. Excellent customer service and company trust.

Cons: Masks are all CEN.1 350N model. Branding looks tacky and marks you out as a newb, no variety in colours or designs, Knee-and-shin-guard combo never fits properly and slips down the leg, Red Dragon Standard Gloves are a bit limited, and no-one really needs plastic weapons unless you want a safe home-trainer until you can afford a steel. No jackets, pants, or arm protectors included, but can be added on easily.