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Recommended Gear for All Levels
Recommended Gear for All Levels
The websites listed below are only our recommendations. We are not affiliated or have links to any organization. What we do have are shops that we have personally, or know people who have, purchased from before. If you have particular questions about gear, please reach out or talk to us after classes. Buying gear is a big investment and tricky to get right. Since there are no physical stores to try things on, please ask to try something out and get a feel for the piece before buying your own.
We HIGHLY recommend the following order of gear acquisition;
Helmet
Gloves
Longsword (boffer or synthetic)
Gambeson
Next steps (steel longsword, forearm/elbow protection, leg protection, gorget, etc.)
Head/Neck
Head/Neck
AF Deluxe HEMA Fencing Mask - Purpleheart Armory
Absolutely the most important piece of kit you'll ever buy.
https://www.woodenswords.com/HEMA_Fencing_Mask_p/af.mask.deluxe.htm
Back of the Head Protection - Purpleheart Armory
Most HEMA suppliers already offer helmets with back of the head protection included but if you choose to use a traditional Olympic fencing style helmet you will need to obtain an add-on piece to ensure your whole head is shielded from back of the head blows, any of the products listed are acceptable.
https://www.woodenswords.com/HEMA_Back_of_the_Head_s/1926.htm
Gorget - Purpleheart Armory
A neck protector, a kind of collar that extends down onto your chest. Required for nearly all HEMA tournaments.
Gloves
Gloves
SPES Lobster v3 Heavy Gloves - Purpleheart Armory
2nd most important piece of kit you'll ever buy. Cumbersome at times when attempting more complex techniques in sparring but also the best quality defense for your hands.
https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/spes-gloves.v3.htm
Red Dragon HEMA Gloves - Purpleheart Armory
These can be used for light synthetic sparring and allow for more dexterity but at the cost of less overall protection.
https://www.woodenswords.com/HEMA_Back_of_the_Head_s/1926.htm
Torso/Jackets/Gambesons
Torso/Jackets/Gambesons
Jackets & Gambesons - Purpleheart Armory
Torso protection needs to be 350N or higher, other than that the options are extensive. The entire 'Longsword Jackets' category on Purpleheart listed here is good and with tons of customization options as well. Be sure to have someone else measure you for proper sizing to ensure a comfortable fit.
https://www.woodenswords.com/category_s/2256.htm
https://www.woodenswords.com/Jackets_s/1861.htm
PBT Chest Protector - Purpleheart Armory
Added hard shell protection against stronger thrusts, worn underneath your gambeson. Typically only for tournaments or very heavy sparring.
Men's https://www.woodenswords.com/PBT_Extended_Chest_Protector_p/p-chest.extend.htm
Women's https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/p-chest.extend.women.htm
Arms/Legs
Arms/Legs
Encased Forearm/Elbow Guard set V3 - Purpleheart Armory
Useful in synthetic sparring, pretty much essential for steel or even just intense synthetic combat. Trust us, you'll avoid more bruises than you think.
https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/pha.forearm.enc.v3.htm
Locust Fencing Pants - Purpleheart Armory
Flexible and has moderate a small amount of thigh protection, plus back pockets.
Men's https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/spes-p.loc.htm
Women's https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/spes-pants-w.htm
SPES Meyer Pluderhosen "Poofy-pants" - Purpleheart Armory
Stylish, historically accurate, AND protective!
Men's https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/spes-plunderhosen.m.htm
Women's https://www.woodenswords.com/product_p/spes-plunderhosen.f.htm
Black Knight Hard Plastic Legs - HF Armory
Hard plastic leg protection for more intense below the belt combat.
*Fyi, this company is based in Ukraine so keep in mind shipping estimates may vary
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