Suggested Kit

I’ve been asked to put together a guide to SupFen equipment so people know what to buy. The “Full Kit” is the most economical way of getting equipped, and usually consists of:

  •  Jacket

  • Pants

  • Fencing Mask Overlay

  • Forearm & Elbow Protector

  • Knee & Shin

  • Gorget

  • Groin Protector

  • Fencing Socks

  • Bag

Some of these things you don’t need, and there are other things you do, and they will put a “full kit” together for you with the bits you want. So this is what I recommend:

 JACKET

https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-jackets/hfg5607.html - This is the one I designed. It’s a “gambeson cut” so you don’t need special padded pants under it, and with the plastic ribbing it’s very protective. You definitely want a ventilated back, though personally I wouldn’t get ventilated sleeves again as they’re usually covered in a vambrace and get sweaty anyway.

 If you want to wear pants, they do a short version of this jacket:

 https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-jackets/hfg5605.html

 If you are female, you may want this instead – but try a Claymore on first to see if it will fit:

 https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-jackets/hfg5604.html

PANTS

If you need pants, get the cheapest ones, and ask them to make them short, to just above your knee – it will make them vastly cooler, trust me!

 https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-pants/hfg5204.html

 Then get this for actual protection:

 https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-protectors/hfg52993.html

MASK OVERLAY

 This is great. The more protection the better!

 https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-mask-overlays/hfg5275.html

GLOVES

 For most stuff we do, these:

 https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-gloves/glv1102.html

 Gauntlets – there are better options out there, but if you want something from SupFen it would be this:

 https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-gloves/hfg0705.html

ARMS

 Most of the plastic arm stuff they sell is useless, even irritating. You need 360 degree protection around the entire arm, and making your own vambrace out of kydex or leather is probably the best solution. Then all you need is this:

 https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-protectors/hfg5299.html

 That said, it appears they do 2 different forearms that might work, if you want to give them a go.

 These are splinted and I’m pretty sure they give full coverage:

 https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-protectors/hfg5202.html

 These it’s hard to tell from the picture:

 https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-protectors/hfg8105.html

LEGS

 There are GREAT if your legs are the right length! Mine are too long…

 https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-protectors/hfg3701.html

 These look very much like my styrogum ones, and if so they’d be excellent:

 https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-protectors/hfg8101.html

 Other options might be:

 https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-protectors/hfg7553.html

 https://www.supfen.com/product/hema-protectors/hfg5292.html

BAG

 You don’t need one of their bags… Or a gorget, as the Claymore jacket has one built in. Or socks. And presumably you already have groin protection….!