The Basics — what do I bring to class?

Checklist

  • Short sleeved shirt

  • Long athletic pants

  • Athletic shoes*

Students in fencing classes should wear comfortable athletic clothing. A short-sleeved T-shirt will help you keep cool in the fencing jacket. Long pants such as sweat pants or athletic warmups are required for safety reasons. Jeans and street pants are acceptable but not recommended as they will hinder movement.

Clean athletic shoes with non-marking soles are required. Shoes should lace or fasten securely. Sandals, winter boots, and slip-on style “athletic” shoes don’t provide enough support or traction for fencing.

*Athletic shoes must be non-marking, closed-toe, laced, and have no holes

General Fencing Uniform

Required

  • Mask

  • Jacket

  • Glove

  • Plastron (Underarm protector)

  • Chest protector (required female, optional male)

  • Weapon

  • Fencing bag

To start, MFA includes all the equipment you need for a trial class and includes a free month of equipment rental after becoming a member for you to try the sport. After having a chance to experience fencing and you know you would like to continue, it’s time to start thinking about buying your own equipment. Having your own jacket, mask and glove means you know it will fit and using the same weapon consistently will help improve your technique as you get used to the feel of your blade.

After the first month of classes, if you choose to continue using club equipment, there is a $15 monthly rental fee.

Transitioning to MFA Competitive Programs

It is exciting that you are making the next steps towards competing! In order to be ready, you will need some additional items. These are primarily to plug you into the electronic score keeping system that is in place for fencing.

Items everyone needs

  • At least 2 electric weapons

  • At least 2 body cords

  • Fencing pants (knickers)

  • Long socks

Foil Specific Items

  • A lamé

  • A mask with an electric lamé bib, or a retrofit kit for your practice mask

  • At least 2 mask cords

  • Foam padding for chest protectors

Competition Specifics

Equipment requirements vary depending on the level of tournament you’re considering. Listed below are the minimum requirements for various levels of competition. For more information about regional tournaments such as RYCs, SYCs, and ROCs, please visit USA Fencing.

Competition Level
What you need
Any tournament with an entry fee
Fencing pants, long socks, foam padding for your chest protector if you wear one (foil only), USA Fencing competitive membership
Any tournament outside MFA, any RYC or New England Division local event
The above, plus your own electric equipment, including at least two working body cords, two working mask cords, and at least two working electric weapons
Any tournament outside the New England Area, any SYC or ROC
The above, plus at least a third working weapon and your own uniform (plastron, jacket, mask and glove)
Any National tournament
The above, plus your last name on your fencing pants or on your back (lamé for foil or sabre, jacket for épée), and probably a fourth working weapon
Any Canadian National tournament
The above, plus FIE blades and FIE mask
Any European tournament or World Cup
The above, plus full FIE uniform (plastron, jacket, pants and mask)