Equipment Rules Guide

EQUIPMENT RULES GUIDE

Based on British Fencing Safety Guidelines 23rd Edition, June 2026

This guide summarises the equipment requirements for fencing activities under British Fencing (BF) safety guidelines. Requirements vary depending on the activity, age group and competition level.

Always check the event organiser’s requirements before fencing. Organisers may require a higher standard of equipment than the minimum outlined below.


UK CLUB TRAINING AND SPARRING

For general club training and sparring, the following equipment is required unless a specific exception applies.

Equipment

Requirement

Jacket

350N minimum

Plastron (underarm protector)

CEN Level 2, 800N

Breeches

350N minimum

Mask

CEN Level 1, with 350N bib and rear safety strap

Sabre glove

FIE 800N Sabre glove

Foil / Epee glove

Any fencing glove

 All equipment must be in good condition, correctly fitted and suitable for the activity being undertaken. Long socks should be worn with breeches.


CHILDREN’S FENCING

Under 10 years old

For fencers under 10, when both fencers are using size 0 weapons:

Equipment

Requirement

Jacket

350N minimum

Plastron

350N minimum

Breeches / trousers

350N breeches, or full-length trousers outside BF-licensed competitions. Breeches would be required where leg is a valid target.

Mask

350N bib with rear safety strap

Glove

Any fencing glove

At BF-licensed competitions, breeches are required. Socks must cover the leg where breeches are worn.

Under 14 years old

For fencers under 14, when both fencers are using the appropriate smaller weapons:

  • Size 3 Foil
  • Size 2 Epee
  • Size 2 Sabre

Equipment

Requirement

Jacket

350N minimum

Plastron

350N minimum

Breeches

350N minimum

Mask

350N bib with rear safety strap

Glove

Any fencing glove

Children should use weapon sizes appropriate to their age and the requirements of the activity or competition.


BEGINNER COURSES, PUBLIC TASTER AND SUPERVISED SPARRING

For beginner sessions, taster activities and supervised sparring, the following minimum requirements apply.

Equipment

Requirement

Jacket

350N minimum

Plastron

350N minimum, or an integrated 350N jacket/plastron

Breeches / trousers

Full-length trousers may be worn provided all openings and pockets are zipped, sewn or taped closed. Alternatively, seated fencing may use a 350N apron. For Epee fencing where the target includes the legs, fencers must wear CEN 1 breeches rated to 350N and full-length socks.

Mask

350N bib with rear safety strap

Glove

Any fencing glove

The session organiser must ensure that equipment is appropriate for the participants, activity and level of supervision.


TRADITIONAL NON-ELECTRIC FOIL

Traditional non-electric foil fencing may use the specific clothing allowances below, provided both fencers are using traditional pre-electric lightweight foil blades.

Equipment

Requirement

Jacket

350N minimum

Plastron

350N minimum or 350N plastron integrated in to jacket

Breeches / trousers

Fencing breeches or full-length trousers

Mask

350N bib with rear safety strap

Glove

Any fencing glove

Where full-length trousers are worn, all openings and pockets must be secured.

Important: A dummy electric foil with a metal tip/button does not qualify as a traditional non-electric foil for this exception.


British National Championships (Cadet, Junior, U23 & Senior)

The following equipment requirements apply to British National Championships.

Equipment

Requirement

Blades

All

Jackets

CEN 1 – 350 Newtons

Plastron

CEN 2 – 800 Newtons

Trousers / Breeches

CEN 1 – 350 Newtons (*)

Masks

CEN 2 – 1600N bib, FIE mark, with two rear safety systems (securing devices), fitted to comply with Rule m.25.7.f.

Gloves – Sabre

Sabre glove bearing the FIE 800N label

Gloves – Foil / Epee

Any fencing glove


Other UK Competitions

Organisers of non-ranking competitions may decide to require higher equipment standards.

Equipment

Requirement

Blades

All

Jackets

CEN 1 – 350 Newtons

Plastron

CEN 2 – 800 Newtons

Trousers / Breeches

CEN 1 – 350 Newtons (*)

Masks

CEN 1

Gloves – Sabre

Sabre glove bearing the FIE 800N label

Gloves – Foil / Epee

Any fencing glove


All FIE & U17/U23 EFC Competitions

These requirements apply to all FIE competitions, including World Cups, Grand Prix, Satellites, Zonal Championships and World Championships, across all age groups. They also apply to EFC U17 (Cadet) and U23 circuit events.

Equipment

Requirement

Blades

Maraging

Jackets

CEN 2 – 800 Newtons, FIE mark

Plastron

CEN 2 – 800 Newtons, FIE mark

Trousers / Breeches

CEN 2 – 800 Newtons, FIE mark

Masks

CEN 2 – 1600N bib, FIE mark, with two rear safety systems (securing devices), fitted to comply with Rule m.25.7.f.

Gloves – Sabre

Sabre glove bearing the FIE 800N label

Gloves – Foil / Epee

Any fencing glove


Footnote (*) – Trousers / Breeches

Full-length trousers may be worn provided all openings and pockets are zipped, sewn or taped closed. Alternatively, seated fencing may use a 350N apron. For Epee fencing where the target includes the legs, fencers must wear CEN 1 breeches rated to 350N and full-length socks.


WEAPON SIZE GUIDE

The following weapon sizes are referenced in British Fencing’s guidance for younger fencers.

Age / Activity

Weapon Size

Under 10

Size 0

Under 14 – Foil

Size 3

Under 14 – Epee

Size 2

Under 14 – Sabre

Size 2

Over 14

Generally size 5, subject to activity and competition rules

Where the activity or competition specifies a weapon size, that requirement must be followed.


ADDITIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Chest protection

Fencers with female breasts must wear rigid chest protection.

British Fencing recommends chest protection for girls from age 10, or earlier if puberty has begun.

For foil, FIE chest protectors must have the approved soft covering layer.

Tracksuit trousers

Tracksuit trousers may be worn over 350N or 800N breeches during training or competition, provided they:

  • Are tapered or straight-cut, not baggy.
  • Have all openings and pockets zipped, sewn or taped securely.

Equipment condition and suitability

All fencing equipment must be:

  • In good condition and free from damage that could compromise safety.
  • Correctly fitted and suitable for the fencer.
  • Compliant with the requirements for the activity or competition.
  • Checked regularly for wear, damage and deterioration.

Equipment that is damaged, unsuitable or fails to meet the applicable requirements must not be used.


IMPORTANT NOTE

This guide is intended as a practical summary of British Fencing equipment requirements. It does not replace the full British Fencing Safety Guidelines, FIE regulations or the specific rules of an event organiser.

Requirements can differ between club training, beginner activities, BF-licensed competitions and international competition.

Always refer to the latest official guidance before making a final decision about equipment compliance.

Official British Fencing references:

Source: British Fencing Safety Guidelines, 23rd Edition, approved June 2026.