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Fencing Equipment Guide
Every fencer uses protective clothing, an electric blade, and a body cord that connects the fencer to the scoring system. The key differences between épée, foil, and sabre are the valid target area, how a touch scores, and which equipment components must be conductive.
Choose Your Blade:
Épée Equipment
Épée is the most open-target weapon in fencing: the entire body is valid. Because all of the fencer’s body can score, épée does not use a conductive lamé vest or conductive mask bib.
Épée Mask
The épée mask is fully non-conductive. Both the mesh and bib are insulated because the mask is itself a valid target and does not need to distinguish between on-target and off-target touches.
Épée Uniform
Épée fencers wear a traditional all-white jacket and breeches with no conductive overgarment. Since the target area includes the entire body, there is no need for a metallic vest to identify valid hits.
Épée Blade and Glove
An electric épée has a stiff, triangular steel blade with a groove for the internal wire. A spring-loaded point registers touches, while the large bell guard protects the fencer’s blade hand. An épée may weigh up to 775 grams.
The épée glove is a padded glove worn on the blade hand. It is typically made from durable fabric or leather and does not require a conductive cuff, because the hand is a valid target and épée touches score with the point.
Épée Body Cord
· Plugs: Three-pin plugs at both ends.
· Connection: One end connects inside the weapon guard; the other connects to the reel or scoring-system lead.
· Design: Three internal wires support épée’s independent scoring circuit.
Foil Equipment
Foil is a point-only weapon with a more limited target area. Valid touches are made on the torso, and the conductive lamé helps the scoring system distinguish on-target touches from off-target touches.
Foil Mask
A foil mask has an insulated mesh and a conductive lower bib. The metallic bib allows the scoring system to recognize valid touches made to the lower-neck and bib area.
Foil Lamé Vest
Foil fencers wear a metallic, conductive vest—called a lamé—over the white fencing jacket. The lamé covers the torso, corresponding to foil’s valid target area. The arms, legs, and head are not valid foil targets.
Foil Weapon and Glove
A foil has a flexible, rectangular steel blade, a small spring-loaded point, and a medium circular guard. It is lighter than an épée and weighs under 500 grams.
The foil glove is a standard non-conductive glove that covers the weapon hand and lower wrist. It commonly includes padding on the back of the hand for protection from thrusts.
Foil Body Cord
· Plugs: A two-pin or bayonet-style weapon connection.
· Extra lead: A third wire ending in an alligator clip.
· Connection: The clip attaches to the lamé so the scoring system can identify whether a touch lands on the valid target area.
Sabre Equipment
Sabre is a cutting and thrusting weapon. A fencer can score with the point, cutting edge, or back edge of the blade. The valid target area includes everything above the bend of the hips, including the torso, arms, head, and mask.
Sabre Mask
The sabre mask is conductive because the entire head is a valid target. Its metallic mesh and conductive bib allow the scoring system to register touches to the mask and neck area.
Sabre Lamé Jacket
Sabre fencers wear a full conductive lamé jacket that covers the torso and arms from the waist upward. This jacket matches sabre’s target area and allows the scoring system to register valid cuts and thrusts.
Sabre Weapon and Glove
A sabre uses a flexible, flat steel blade and a guard that curves around the hand to protect the knuckles. Unlike foil and épée, sabre permits scoring with the blade’s edge as well as its point. A sabre weighs under 500 grams.
A sabre fencer wears a specialized glove with a conductive cuff or conductive material on the back of the glove. This helps register valid touches made to the wrist and hand area.
Sabre Body Cord
· Plugs: A two-pin or bayonet-style weapon connection.
· Extra lead: A third wire ending in an alligator clip.
· Connection: The clip connects to the conductive lamé system, including the jacket and mask.
Equipment Used in All Blades
The following protective equipment is used in épée, foil, and sabre. Requirements can vary by age group, club, tournament, and governing body.
Plastron
A plastron is an underarm protector worn beneath the jacket. It provides an additional protective layer on the weapon-arm side and can be a standard fabric or FIE-rated model. The basic plastron serves the same purpose in all three weapons.
Chest Protector
A rigid chest protector is available for all three weapons. Requirements depend on the fencer’s competition level and governing body; women are generally required to wear one, while it may be optional for men.
In foil, a rigid chest protector must be worn beneath the plastron and uses an approved padded exterior layer to reduce the chance of an unintended bounce or deflection affecting a touch. Always confirm current requirements with your club, event organizer, or governing federation before competition.
Fencing Shoes and Socks
Fencing shoes—or flat-soled indoor court shoes—provide traction and lateral stability for lunges, advances, retreats, and directional changes. Dedicated fencing shoes often add reinforcement along the inside edge to withstand repetitive footwork.
Fencing socks extend to just below or above the knee so that no skin is exposed between the breeches and shoes during a lunge. Many designs include reinforced cushioning in the shin, heel, and toe, plus moisture-wicking fabric and compression support for a secure fit.
Quick Beginner Checklist
· A properly fitted mask
· Jacket and breeches
· Plastron and appropriate chest protection
· Weapon-specific glove
· Weapon-specific electric weapon
· Correct body cord
· Lamé equipment for foil or sabre
· Long fencing socks and court or fencing shoes
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