How to Measure and Choose a Fencing Gear Size

Even though  the number one reason to buy new equipment is because it gets lost, it’s still quite common for parents to buy significantly bigger jackets, lame and knickers for their fast growing young fencers in an effort to save money.  Of course all parents prefer spending less on fencing gear, but is it really ok to put your child on the fencing strip in something that makes them the biggest moving target in the competition? How can you find the right size in fencing gear, allowing “room to grow” but without exaggerating?

Sizing Guide for Knickers:

For a little kid, long knickers that go all the way to the floor might be cute,  but x2 size knickers on 14 year old doesn’t look so cute anymore

My 8 yo son (who is super slim) refused to wear his new knickers once because by mistake we ordered them one size too big and they were very long. He told me: “These pants are for beginners, and I am not a beginner anymore!”  (Tip: Absolute Fencing Gear has a shorter version … )

Kids

Take your fencers waist measurement between their hips and their belly button. Add one size (2 inches) to that waist measurement to determine the size of knickers you need. Since all uniforms come in even sizes only, remember that if you get an odd number of inches, always go up one size.

Here’s an example: Your fencer has a 31 inch waist measurement, so add 2 inches and you come to 33, then go up to the next even number and buy your fencer a size 34 Cotton Knickers.

Adults

When measuring for your knickers, make certain to get an accurate (use a tape measure, not a string and a ruler!) measurement of your waist.  The inseam measurement is to two inches below the knee for knickers, but full length for long pants.

MEN- measure your waist at your navel, not your pants line.

WOMEN- measure your waist at the smallest place, and your hips at the largest place.  Since fencing knicker sizes are in two inch increments and your waist may not be on our sizing guide, choose the next size up.  For example, if your waist measures 30-1/2 choose a size 32.

Sizing Guide for Lames and Jackets

Jacket Measurements

The cotton fencing jackets are cut fuller than our stretch jackets to allow maximum mobility during fencing.

MEN- Your chest should be measured as high as possible across with the arms down. Your waist should be measured at the navel, not at the pants line.

WOMEN- We need five measurements please for women. Include these figures in the comments section of your order, a step that will make the whole thing go much more smoothly and easily. Measure your chest at the largest place, your waist at the smallest place, and your hips at the largest place. Please record your height and weight also.

Plastrons and Underarm Protectors

When measuring for your plastron/underarm protector, make certain to get an accurate measurement of your chest.  This is absolutely essential!

MEN- Please measure as high on the chest as you possibly can, with your arms down.

WOMEN- Ladies, measure your chest at the largest place (keep in mind that this is the largest place across the chest, not the bust!). Choose the size plastron/underarm protector that corresponds to your chest measurement.  Since our sizes are in two inch increments and your chest may not be on our sizing guide, choose the next size up. For example, if your chest measures 38-1/2 choose a size 40.

Gloves

Gloves can be a tricky one, so please follow the sizing guide and the measurement recommendations! You want gloves that will really fit well!

When measuring the hand we will need the circumference of the four knuckles where the fingers connect to the palm. Hold your hand out like you are going to shake hands with a politician, so your thumb is up and out of the way, as it is not involved in the measurement. Please be as accurate as possible! A difference of a half inch can change your glove size.

Click on the glove sizing chart (below) to open a PDF that will help you correctly choose the right glove size.

Masks

Let’s face it – measuring for a mask sounds daunting. Most of us are familiar with measurements for other things like coats and pants, as those are numbers that we are more familiar with.  If you’ve never measured for a mask before, no worries – you’ll get it! It’s really not that hard!

When measuring the head we will need the circumference of the face area. Measure the face starting under the chin, halfway between the chin and throat.  This is a bit of a tender/ticklish spot! Continue up the side of the face just in front of the ear.  Then keep going up and over the forehead down the other side ending where you started under the chin.

Keep in mind that all heads are shaped differently and may measure one size when they are actually another. Here are some general guides regarding age and mask size

• Children under usually 8 wear extra small masks
• Children from 8 to 10 generally wear a small
• Women (teen through adult) almost always wear medium
• Adult men typically wear a large unless they are over 6ft. 2in., in which case they go extra large.

Those aren’t hard and fast rules, but if you fall outside of these then you might want to try some on to make sure that you’re getting the right fit. And you can of course always talk to your instructor or someone at the club about sizing.

Getting the sizing right on fencing gear doesn’t have to be stressful – it can actually be really easy! Get a good measuring tape, and above all else use your common sense and you’ll have some great fitting gear.

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