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So you're hooked on fencing and want your own gear.  Below is a list of equipment you'll need and some advice on purchasing.  The asterisks show the minimum gear you'll need for club practice.

Mask*

Jacket*

Plastron*

Fencing Pants     (sweatpants/track pants may be worn at practice)

Socks

Glove*

2 weapons           (spares aren't required at practice)

2 body cords       (spares aren't required at practice)

Lamé*                 (foil or saber)

Shoes

You should also have:

A bag to carry it all in

Water

Towel

Pogey bait (Power bar, granola, etc.)

Chest protector (ladies)

Cup (non-ladies)

The choices in fencing gear are a little confusing if it's your first trip to the online fencing store.  Here are some notes to help you out:

Start with a good vendor.  We use www.absolutefencinggear.com.  They've been good to us and we've been happy with their products.  Feel free to go wherever you want.  Ask around the club and talk to a coach before buying.  We'll be happy to show you different types of gear.

What is FIE?

The first thing you'll notice when gear shopping is "FIE" rated equipment.  FIE stands for Federation Internationale d'Escrime which is the international governing body for the sport of fencing.  It maintains the highest standards for fencing equipment: clothing, blades, masks, etc.  FIE standards are very high and require equipment to be very strong.  FIE rated equipment is not required for domestic competition.  Many fencers use it because it is more durable than standard equipment.  If you can afford it, FIE equipment is a great value because of it's durability and performance.  Standard equipment will work fine if you don't want to spend the big bucks just yet, especially for a young fencer who'll outgrow it next week.

Jacket: Select a front-zip jacket in your choice of materials.  Cotton is tough but shrinks, Nylon is more comfortable, blends are a happy medium.  FIE is more puncture resistant and durable.  Follow the manufacturer's sizing chart carefully.

Pants: Fencing pants, called "knickers," are a specific to the sport.  They have suspenders to hold them up while the jacket has a strap to hold it down.  Combined with a high waistline, the jacket and pants prevent any exposed skin.  Select the same material as the jacket.  Sweats or other long pants can be worn during practice.

Plastron: The plastron is an underarm protector that is designed to protect the most frequently hit area of the body.  It is also a fail-safe to stop a broken blade from causing injury.  It's not a bad idea to buy an FIE rated plastron for the extra protection it affords.

Socks: There can be no exposed skin other than the back of the head and the "off" hand.  Socks must be high enough that the knickers overlap them.  Socks can be colored, so ask a coach about team socks.  Otherwise, make sure they don't show any skin.

Glove: Select a good quality leather glove of correct size.  Colored gloves are legal.

Shoes: Fencing shoes are expensive and not available in shoe stores.  Get a good idea of what you want before you spend the money.  Most people can fence well in regular athletic or court shoes.  It's not a bad idea to have  a designated pair of shoes for fencing because they will wear unevenly.

Mask: Go for comfort and fit here.  Some have washable liners and other features, but nothing will matter if it doesn't fit.  If you must wear glasses, consider getting a set of athletic goggles to fit under the mask. 

Weapons: You must bring two weapons with you to a competition.  This means if you're fencing a foil event, you must have two foils.  If you're fencing epée, bring two epées.  If you're fencing foil and epée, you'll need four weapons.  This is to avoid delays should one of your weapons fail an inspection.  Backup weapons are not required at practice.

Other fencers will be happy to let you get a feel for different types of blades.  Most fencers pick blades with their wallets.

As for points, the club stocks parts to repair German points.  They're a little higher than French points, but they're less troublesome.  All points will eventually need repair, so stick with German unless you buy your own spare parts.

DO NOT BUY A FRENCH GRIP.  French grips are used in beginner's classes because one size fits all and they're cheap.  When you purchase your own gear, select a pistol grip.  The pistol or "orthopedic" grip may feel awkward at first, but once the proper fit is made you'll appreciate the advantage.  You won't see a French grip at a tournament.
 

Lame: This is a category where you get what you pay for.  Check the sizing charts!

Body Cords:  Make sure your body cord matches your weapon socket.  There are a few different types of sockets, ask around the club to see what you like.

Almost all vendors offer substantial discounts when ordering gear as a "set."  In most cases  you can order everything you need in one kit.  Most will allow you to upgrade individual parts.

Whatever you do, ASK A COACH before you buy and see what other fencers are using.  We love to show our gear off, so don't be shy!