This resource is designed to help students understand what gear they need at each stage of their training, why certain pieces matter, and how to build up their equipment in a sensible, affordable progression.

Chinese Swordsmanship involves dynamic movement, partnered drills, controlled sparring, and eventually full-contact exchanges. Proper protection ensures that training remains safe, sustainable, and enjoyable for everyone.

This guide explains the options available, the differences between gear types, and when you should consider upgrading.

Nothing here is intended to pressure anyone into buying everything at once. The goal is to help you make informed choices, avoid unnecessary purchases, and follow a clear pathway from beginner-level kit to tournament-ready gear.

Remember:

• Prices and availability vary by region, so research local suppliers to avoid tariffs and high shipping costs.

• If you need help choosing or finding gear, you can message me directly.

• Superior Fencing offers a 15% Academy of Chinese Swordsmanship member discount.

Below you’ll find a full breakdown of gloves, masks, overlays, jackets, arm and leg protection, purchase order, upgrade advice, and my own current setups for comparison.

Gloves (Five‑Fingered and Clamshell Types):

Five‑Finger Gloves:

• Entry Level - Red Dragon Sparring Gloves - Affordable and suitable for light in‑class sparring.

• Mid Tier - SF Impact Resistant Gloves Excellent value. Once broken in, they perform close to high‑end gloves with no modular lining hassle.

• Mid Tier - Thokk WeaponMaster v1.5 A little pricier than SF Impact; modular lining system. Some prefer SF due to simplicity and cost.

• Top Tier - HFA Black Prince Gauntlets My preferred full‑contact glove. Lightweight, protective, excellent articulation.

• Top Tier - Gabriel Gloves Another premium option, bulkier but extremely protective.

Clamshell / Mitten‑Style Gloves:

• SPES Clamshell Gloves Maximum protection for heavy sparring and two‑handed weapons.

• Superior Fencing Clamshell Gloves 2.0 Very protective mitten option when dexterity is less important.

Five‑Finger vs Clamshell:

• 🟢 Five‑Finger Pros - Better dexterity for Jian/Dao; more natural handling.

• 🔴 Five‑Finger Cons - Less overall impact protection.

• 🟢 Clamshell Pros - Superior safety for heavy contact.

• 🔴 Clamshell Cons - Reduced finger mobility; bulkier.

Masks and Overlays:

Masks

• Red Dragon 350N Mask - Good for most sparring.

• Red Dragon 1600N Tournament Mask - Excellent protection for high‑intensity training; my current tournament mask.

• PBT 1600N Mask - Another strong top‑tier option.

• Superior Fencing Armoured Plastic Helmet - Full head coverage; bulkier than mask‑plus‑overlay setups.

• Wukusi Cobra Fencing Mask - Fantastic Protection with mask and overlay as one piece, but if masks everything needs replacing.

Overlays

• Wukusi Rattlesnake Overlay - My preferred overlay; protects well and fits any mask - basically turns any mask into a Cobra Fencing Mask.

• Superior Fencing Styrogum Overlay - A good alternative to the Rattlesnake, but just not quite as refined a design.

• Red Dragon HEMA Full Mask Overlay - Good entry level budget overlay offering decent over all protection. Does restrict head mobility.

• Red Dragon HEMA Leather Mask Overlay - Another good entry level overly. Good mobility but lacks the throat protection of the full overlay.

Throat Protectors (Gorgets):

I personally do not use extra throat protection, as the mask bib has always been enough for me. But for those who want additional coverage:

• Superior Fencing Heavy Gorget

• SPES Heavy Gorget

Arm Protectors:

• Red Dragon Forearm + Elbow Protectors – Ideal for slimmer arms or when training in a T‑shirt.

• SPES “Geko” Forearm + Elbow Protectors – Designed deliberately shorter so they don’t interfere with gloves. The best option when wearing jackets or if you have larger arms.

• Superior Fencing Styrogum Full Arm Protectors – Full‑length protection adaptable to many jackets.

Chest Protectors

Highly recommended when using lighter jackets to prevent bruising from thrusts.

• SPES Plastron

• Superior Fencing Extended Chest Protector

Jackets

Entry Level:

• Red Dragon Light Jacket (350N) – Light, flexible, affordable starting point.

• Red Dragon Heavy Jacket – More padding, still budget‑friendly.

Mid Tier:

• Superior Fencing Claymore 800N Jacket – Long, robust, strong value with heavy arm protectors included.

• Superior Fencing Thermo Ventilation 800N Jacket – Thick torso protection; arm design often needs modification.

Top Tier:

• SPES FG Jacket PRO 350N – My top recommendation. Longer cut, integrated armour sections, very practical.

• SPES Kaftan 350N – Premium construction with a different cut and feel.

Leg Protection:

• Superior Fencing Thigh + Groin Protector – Excellent all‑in‑one low‑line protection.

• Red Dragon Knee + Shin Protectors – Combined lower‑leg protection; more practical than separate pieces.

🥇 My Current Tournament Loadout

This is the exact setup I personally use for tournament-level play and heavy-contact sparring. It has been tested in high-intensity rounds for over a year:

• Mask - Red Dragon 1600N Tournament Mask

• Overlay - Rattlesnake Overlay

• Jacket - SPES FG Jacket PRO 350N

• Chest - SPES Plastron

• Gloves - HFA Black Prince Gauntlets

• Groin/Thigh - Superior Fencing Thigh + Groin Protector

• Shins/Knees - Red Dragon Knee + Shin Protectors

🎯 In‑Class Sparring Setups

Light Technical Sparring:

• Mask

• Forearm Protectors

• Five‑Finger Gloves

Medium / Light Competitive Sparring:

• Mask

• Jacket

• Arm Protectors

• Five‑Finger Gloves

Full Contact/Tournament Sparring:

• High-protection fencing mask with a hard impact-dissipating overlay

• Jacket with padding/armour

• Chest protector under the jacket

• Top tier level gloves

• Thigh and groin protector

• Combined knee and shin protection

🎒 Beginner Starter Pack

For new students starting Chinese Swordsmanship, here is the minimum recommended equipment to train safely while keeping costs low:

• Basic Safety Glasses Essential from day one for partner drills and accidental weapon contact. Keep them simple and inexpensive.

• Entry-Level Gloves Affordable five-finger gloves suitable for fundamental drills and controlled partner work. Enough protection for early training without overinvesting.

• Forearm + Elbow Protectors Light arm protection prevents bruising and accidental strikes during early partner drills.

• Comfortable Training Clothing Flexible trousers and a T‑shirt or lightweight top. Avoid loose sleeves.

This small kit allows you to train safely from day one and gradually build up your protection as your practice intensifies.

📈 When to Upgrade Your Gear

As your training progresses, your equipment should evolve with your contact level. Here is a simple guide:

• 🔼 Upgrade Gloves When drills start involving harder contact or you begin free sparring. Move to mid‑tier or high‑tier gloves once you feel your hands taking repeated impact.

• 🔼 Add a Mask As soon as you begin any form of free exchange or non-cooperative partner work. A proper fencing mask becomes essential for realism and safety.

• 🔼 Add a Jacket When sparring becomes dynamic or moderately competitive. A good jacket protects your ribs, clavicle and shoulders.

• 🔼 Add a Mask Overlay Required for heavy sparring or tournament preparation. It increases protection to the back and sides of the head.

• 🔼 Add Thigh + Groin Protection When working with more advanced students or using weapons with strong low-line potential.

• 🔼 Add Chest/Throat Protection If you frequently practise thrusting techniques or feel discomfort from chest shots.

• 🔼 Upgrade Gloves Again for Full Contact Tournament-level sparring or heavy in-class rounds require top-tier gloves designed for maximum protection.

🛒 Recommended Order for Purchasing Equipment:

To make gearing up affordable and progressive, here is the suggested order to acquire equipment:

• 1️⃣ Day 1 – Eye Protection Start with simple, inexpensive safety glasses. No need for anti‑fog, anti‑glare or premium features. Just basic protection for drilling and partner work.

• 2️⃣ Gloves Begin with an affordable pair suitable for light contact. You can upgrade later as your training intensity increases.

• 3️⃣ Arm Protectors Forearm and elbow protection is the next priority, especially when working with partners.

• 4️⃣ Mask A fencing-style mask becomes essential once you move beyond cooperative drills.

• 5️⃣ Jacket A padded or structured jacket provides core protection for free play and harder drilling.

• 6️⃣ Mask Overlay Add an impact-dissipating overlay to significantly increase head and rear coverage.

• 7️⃣ Groin and Thigh Protection Once you begin more dynamic or competitive sparring, low-line protection becomes important.

• 8️⃣ Chest and/or Throat Protection Light chest protection is helpful for thrust-heavy work. Throat protection is optional but available.

• 9️⃣ Upgrade Gloves When Needed Move to tournament-level gloves once you increase contact level or begin full-contact sparring.

📌 Final Notes

👉 Research local suppliers to avoid import tariffs.

👉 Message me if you need help finding reputable sellers.

👉 Superior Fencing gives ACS members 15% off.

👉 Add your own gear recommendations below to help others.