Swords
Blunt flexible steel sparring swords are the gold standard, however, please check with the club before you buy. Some steel sparring swords are unsafe for use in full contact sparring and any gear deemed unsafe will not be allowed for use in the club. We also train techniques using shinai, synthetic sparring swords and foam padded boffer weapons.

Head Protection
The first piece of gear you should buy is a fencing mask. We have a limited number of loaner masks, however, for sanitary purposes we would prefer people have their own gear. In Australia you can buy a mask from Medieval Fight Club link here or buy a CEN2 mask for better protection.

Once you have a fencing mask you will be allowed to take part in technical sparring and foam boffer sparring with a pair of gloves (these do not need to be fencing/HEMA specific, the Mechanix Wear M-pact Gloves from Bunnings are great M-Pact Gloves Link Here).

Full Contact Sparring
Buying your full kit is a big investment and we recommend it only when you are sure historic fencing is for you. Most HEMA specific gear is suitable for our purposes but please check in with the club as we can give the best recommendations in your price range. The full kit equipment is listed below:

Head: fencing mask + back of head protection or fencing mask overlay with back of head protection. Generally any well made fencing mask will suffice and Supfen has taken on our feedback for the Supfen Armoured Mask Overlay link here and we think it is a good product.

Hands: heavy sparring gloves for HEMA specific purposes. Our go to is the HF Armoury Black Knight Gloves link here or Gabriel 2.0s (order via email) if you want 5 fingered gloves.

Neck: gorget to prevent the throat from being crushed in an unfortunate accident. We like to use the Vytis light or heavy gorget which you can buy from the School of Historical Fencing shop link here.

Torso: 350N+ padded sparring jacket. 350N sparring hoodies and the like will not be allowed for use in full contact sparring. We like the Superior Fencing Thermoventilated Jacket. We are also currently designing a Korean inspired sparring jacket.
A hard plate chest protector may be used, especially in thrust centric systems. Chest protection for women is required.

Arms: hard plate elbow protection is mandatory. Whichever brand fits your elbows and gives you the best mobility and comfort will suffice.
Forearm guards are mandatory unless you have the Sparring Gloves longer cuffs. We like the ARCEM hard shell forearm guards but the Superior Fencing forearm guards are a good budget option.
Upper arm and hard shoulder protection are not mandatory but if you wish to use it you are free to do so as long as it is not unsafe to do so.

Groin: a cup is mandatory for males or if you have external bits that need protection. We like the RDX steel cup as it does not flex and can stand up to steel sparring blades if an unfortunate hit were to land. Please try to avoid strikes to the groin as much as possible regardless of what protection practitioners are wearing.

Legs: 350N+ fabric is required to the knee. This can either be in the form of HEMA pants or a HEMA skirt. We like HEMA skirts for the added mobility and breathability, however, they run the risk of injury to the inner thigh. The gold standard is thin 350N fencing pants with a HEMA skirt over the top, or a skirt with double layered front and no openings.

Knees: hard plate knee protection is mandatory. Whichever brand fits best will suffice. Even if legs are not a viable target knee protection is still required.

Shins: hard plate shin protection is mandatory if legs are deemed as a viable target in sparring. We like the Supfen Knee Shin Guards link here. This has a combined knee and shin and has side of knee and calf protection as well.

Feet: Enclosed footwear must be worn at all times.

Please note, these are the minimum requirements for protective gear for full contact full speed sparring. If you feel you would like more protection, you are free to do so as long as it does not affect the safety of yourself or others.