The level of protection required for any given activity depends upon its nature and intensity. It is not possible to cover every eventuality, but the following general groupings should suffice as a guideline. Equipment recommended assumes light, well-controlled freeplay. At the instructor’s discretion some equipment may be omitted for activities such as drilling, and of intensity is high additional protection should be added.
Light Thrusting Weapons (e.g. smallsword) with little impact threat require all skin to be covered, fencing jacket, mask, gloves, resilient legwear. Additional: under or over plastron, neck protector, cup.
Cut and Thrust Weapons (e.g. rapier, duelling sabre) with relatively light impact require all skin to be covered, fencing jacket, mask, gloves, legwear. Robust gloves are recommended, and some impact protection (e.g. over plastron) for the torso. Additional: under-plastron, neck protector, cup.
Cutting Weapons (e.g. sabre, sidesword, messer) with potentially heavier impact require all skin to be covered, fencing jacket or gambeson, mask, robust gloves and rigid protection for the elbow of the sword arm, legwear. Impact protection (e.g. over plastron) for the torso is required. Additional: under-plastron, neck protector, cup, back of head protection, rigid protection for arms, shoulders and legs.
Heavy Cutting Weapons (e.g. longsword) require all skin to be covered, padded fencing jacket or gambeson, mask with reinforcement and back of head protection, robust gloves and rigid protection for the elbow of the sword arm , legwear. Impact protection (e.g. over plastron) for the torso is required. Additional: under-plastron, neck protector, cup.
Small Weapons (e.g. daggers) with little impact, requirements can vary considerably. A burred blade can still snag, and it is possible to over-extend or fall on a stiff blade. Likewise face and eye protection are desirable, but much depends upon the activity being performed.