This is a comprehensive guide to what equipment you need to get into HEMA, and the costs. This is targeted at the UK market. Feel free to add US or EU options in a comment.
Skip to the equipment options, or read on for guidance.
Leave a comment if you think I've missed out any important information. This is based on my experience of what equipment I purchased and when. Your club may specify additional or different equipment.
If training alone
If you are training alone, then really all you need is a stick, a broom handle, a bokken, etc. and to practice guards and techniques in your garden. The weight of the 'sword' wouldn't be right so you might want to get a Black Fencer synthetic sword or similar. If you plan to train with others then a synthetic sword would be useful.
If training as part of a club
If you are joining a club, then the best advice is to ask the club what equipment you need. There is no point buying stuff you can't use. But, here is a list of typical stuff you will likely need:
Your first 6 months
In your first 6 months, you just need enough protective equipment to keep safe when training with synthetic swords at low intensity. You will need:
A fencing mask. 350N is fine, unless you plan to compete in competitions, which require a 1600N mask. The Newton rating refers to the soft parts, not the mesh. You can save money in the long run by buying a 1600N mask from the get-go, but you will also want an overlay (which is recommended regardless of which mask you use) to provide additional protection to your head (especially back of head), and to help make sure your mask is still in good condition by the time you get to competition level.
Gloves: this depends on what type of sword you buy and how intensely you will be sparring. Gloves are quite personal but in terms of cost effectiveness, Red Dragons are generally fine for synthetic longswords and synthetic or steel one handed swords. (I personally do not use them for any longsword sparring as I prefer something more protective, but many people do). However, especially for steel longsword, SPES Heavy or similar are what I would recommend. They are a little bulky and heavy at first, but I find they have better dexterity and feeling than Sparring Gloves. Other people prefer Sparring Gloves. Make sure you get the right size - if they are too big you will hate whatever you get. Also, any glove you get will take you a few weeks/months to fully get used to. Buy a cheap pair of thin knitted/lining gloves to help reduce chaffing (the Sparring Glove does not have an inner lining, so you will need an inner glove regardless). You may also want a pair of padded leather gloves for low intensity training. There are more expensive gloves available if you have the money. Most people have several pairs of gloves simply because some gloves are better for longsword, some better for sabre, some for rapier, etc. I'd recommend a more protective pair for longsword, and a second pair for other swords depending on what will fit in your hilt.
A gorget (throat protector). Lasts a long time and saves your life.
A box (groin protector). Saves your future! Any box from a sport shop will do.
A synthetic sword. In UK you have two options: Red Dragon, or Black Fencer (from Tempus Swords).
Red Dragons come in three varieties: longsword, one handed sword and messer/falchion. Parts are interchangeable, meaning you can turn a one handed sword into a two handed bastard sword (but you can't turn a longsword into anything else because the grip length is longer than the arming sword). What you get depends on what you need for training. Assuming you are doing longsword, in my opinion, the Red Dragon longsword is OK when you add the extended grip and the steel cross guard (you can also get a steel pommel buy this is not extended, making your grip length a little short for some gloves). This brings the weight close enough to a steel (about 1150g vs 1350g+ for a steel) to reduce bad habits. The plastic cross guard makes the sword too light (about 700g, OK for the first few months of training) and people end up doing unrealistic techniques.
The arming sword is pretty good, with the plastic cross guard or the basket hilt, as the weight is much closer to an arming sword than the longsword is (650g vs 800-900g for a steel arming sword). You will need padded leather gloves that offer decent wrist protection if you get the basket hilt as Red Dragons will not fit. This is a good option for sabre.
The downside with the Red Dragon swords are they are a bit slippery in the bind. You really need to get edge on to manipulate the opponent's sword. You also don't get much feeling/vibration as the swords slide in the bind like you do on a steel. People report attacks bending round a parry, although I've not noticed this.
Black Fencer synthetics are double the price of the Red Dragons. However, they are generally superior, coming in at about the weight of the steel counterpart. They are not perfect, and the shorter swords tend to be better than the longer swords due to less flex. However, they are less slippery in the bind, and you do get some feeling/vibration when they slide in the bind. Fencing with synthetic one-handed swords is similar to fencing with steels. I personally wish more people used the Black Fencer synthetics as I could then buy more swords!
6-12 months
After your first 6 months, you are now basically buying more protection to allow you to spar with more intensity. You are also buying the protective kit needed to use a steel sword. Do not buy a steel sword before you have the protective kit! You will need:
Chest protector. As soon as you are using steel or are practicing thrusting, get one!
Fencing jacket. Get something you are going to be comfortable in. You want something that is not too big, or too small. I'd recommend getting something with reasonable protection, but not too bulky. My advice is to try on other people's jackets to find one you like.
Trousers or a skirt. You can get away with not having trousers/skirt when using synthetics, but it limits you in terms of sparring and what are valid targets. I have personally not used a skirt. You generally don't need a skirt and trousers. The skirt has the advantage in that you can wear it over normal trousers.
Knee pads. Protects your knees!
Shin pads. Protects your shins! There are a few options. I personally wear hockey pads underneath long rugby/football socks (I wouldn't recommend football shinpads as they tend to be smaller). There are HEMA equivalents that you can wear over your trousers.
Elbow pads and forearm arm protectors. I've grouped these together as, on HEMA Shop at least, you can't buy elbow pads separately from forearm protectors. You can probably buy them separately elsewhere.
Mask overlay. This is a leather or padded 'hood' that goes over your fencing mask. It primarily provides back of the head protection, but has the added bonus of protecting the soft parts of your mask from damage. You want one that is solid on the back of the head, to protect your neck and the back of your head from stray blows. (Back of the head is not a valid target.) Without an overlay, the lining around the edge of the face on your mask will get damaged quite quickly, which is not ideal if you have purchased a nice expensive 1600N mask and want to use it in 1-2 years time for competitions!
12-18+ months
After 12 months you probably want to get a steel sword. Of course you can purchase a steel sword at any time, however most people purchase one at least 6 - 12 months after they begin HEMA.
Steel swords.
There are lots of swords made by companies such as Regenyei, Kvetun, Sigi Forge, plus less established makers. Hanwei also offer steel swords, often on the cheaper end of the price spectrum. They are probably fine, although have suffered in reputation due to a number of breakages that happened several years ago. I have so far only known of one person's sword breaking within the first few months (I believe it was a Kvetun or Sigi), so it does happen but is rare. Most manufacturers offer a 1 year warranty and swords should last 2-3 years or longer with heavy use, and much longer with lighter use. The wrapping on sword handles will typically only last a year or so before it needs to be rewrapped. Hilts coming a little loose, or threaded pommels needing to be tightened, etc. is fairly common. Most damage comes from usage, e.g. I have a Regenyei 'Light' Sabre that really can't be used against anything other than itself without taking excessive edge damage; I've seen a longsword take a bend after getting caught in a side ring. Steel swords should be looked after and cleaned regularly, ideally wiping them down with a cloth and some oil or WD40 after each use.
In the UK you only really have four options for buying steel swords.
You might be able to buy them at a trade fair or large HEMA event.
Order them from HEMA Shop (usually 1-2 days delivery).
Order them from an EU store like Faits D'armes - in which case you will need to pay customs and shipping (thank you Brexit).
Order them directly from manufacturers. You will need to pay customs (20%) and shipping (typically £50-£70), so add that on to the price you pay. However, typically you do not need to pay until the item is made. It can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months to receive a sword you ordered (time to save up!). Often this is the only option to buy a particular sword that you want.
Here are the common manufacturers:
Sigi forge - often higher-end
Black armoury (less commonly seen in the UK)
If you are aware of other options, leave a comment!
I personally am a fan of Regenyei and Kvetun. Regenyei is often the only option if you want a next day delivery in the UK, and I find they are solid workhorses. I see little point buying an expensive (£400+), nice looking sword that is going to get scratched, dented and (dare I say it!) rusty. I think of them as training tools, and you can go far with one longsword (feder), and one one-handed sword (like the Regenyei one handed trainer or a sidesword) or a sabre.
Choose your HEMA build!
I have put a list together of all the kit you need. I've given a 'budget' option (Squire), a middle option (Knight) and a luxury option (King). These labels are really just me having a bit of fun, and are based on price and not necessarily quality. Everything in the Squire level is perfectly fine (and in fact my personal kit is mostly from the Squire level). The Knight and King options are sometimes a little more protective, but often have no clear advantage over the lower priced options other than personal preference or comfort.
When it comes to the steel swords, often it comes down to whether you want a nicer looking sword, one with a more complex hilt design, etc. This is what influences the price.
I have not made this kit list exhaustive. I have mostly stuck to kit that is easily available from UK retailers. There are other options, especially when it comes to swords and fencing jackets. I advise you to shop around.
Here is a list of retailers I am aware of who carry HEMA-related products:
The prices below are indicative only, and were broadly correct as of January 2024.
Here is the hard truth: getting into HEMA isn't cheap. You are looking at a cost of £200-£250 in your first 6 months, an additional £400-£600 in your second 6 months if you want to spar with more intensity or prepare yourself to get a steel sword, and then £300+ for each steel sword you buy. Expect to spend £1200+ in the first 12-18 months.
The good news is that, after that, you only need to buy replacements (e.g. gloves may break after two years) or additional things that you really want such as additional swords (which should last you many years) or different gear if you don't like what you have bought. So, although the costs up front are quite high, the ongoing cost can be fairly low unless you can't resist buying more steel swords!
Key
When to purchase | Colour | How much will you need to spend? |
First 6 months | £210 - £240 (more if you want more expensive options) | |
6 - 12 months | £400 - £600 depending on whether you buy a second, more protective pair of gloves | |
12-18+ months | £300-£400 for a single steel sword. More if you want more swords! (Hobbyists tend to have 2 or 3; enthusiasts tend to always have one more on order) | |
My recommendation based on what I have | Orange font |
A selection of kit options
It should be noted that there are lots more options than listed below, especially if you go to manufacturers directly. I have prioritised equipment that is readily available from retailers in the UK, offers a good level of protection, and that I have some familiarity with.
Item | Squire (budget) | Knight | King (luxury) |
Fencing mask | Red Dragon 350N (£70) | Red Dragon 1600N (£150) (only if you plan on competing in future) | HEMA Warrior mask 1600N (£218) |
Gorget (throat protector) | Red Dragon (£20) | Vytrix Light Articulated Gorget (£49.50) PBT throat protector (£53) - includes some protection for shoulders | |
Gloves (light), lower intensity | Red Dragon (£60) - for synthetic swords or steel one-handed swords only (do not use with steel longswords) Tempus Fugitive training gloves (£55) - for rapier and other swords with good hand protection | ||
Gloves (heavy), for higher intensity | SPES Heavy lobsters (v1, V2 or V3) - £162 - £198) Sparring gloves (with hour glass or standard cuffs) - (£175) - with the long cuffs you don't need separate forearm protectors Black Knight (£180) - these are quite new to the market | Thokk Weaponmaster (£300+) - not suitable for longsword except with added special attachment | |
Box (groin protector) | Red Dragon (£10) I'm sure there are lots of alternative options from any sports shop. I will not list them here. | ||
Synthetic sword | Red Dragon Longsword or arming sword (£53) Add a basket hilt for sabre (arming sword only): (£16.50) | Red Dragon longsword with steel pommel or steel cross guard (£80-97)
| Black Fencer synthetic longsword, sabre, sidesword, rapier, etc. (£90 - £120) |
Chest protector | PBT-UK (£25.99) | SPES chest protectors (£97 - £110) | |
Jacket | Red Dragon Light (for sabre/rapier) or heavy (longsword) - (£145 - £155) | SPES AP Plus, SPES Kafkan, or equivalent 350N (~£200) SPES AP Plus Light (for single sword) 350N (£185) or similar | SPES AP Plus Pro (~£320), SPES AP Pro 800N (£332) Basically, jackets with plastic armour |
Fencing trousers or skirt (you don't need both) | Red Dragon HEMA Sparring Pants (£68) SPES VG Padded Skirt (£69), | ||
Knee pads | Red Dragon HEMA Knee Protectors (£9) - fit into the knee pockets on the Red Dragon sparring pants | Red Dragon HEMA Knee Guards (£15) - include some side protection | |
Elbow pads and arm protectors (you will need both, unless your gloves include arm protectors) | Red Dragon Forearm and Elbow Protectors (£45) - I personally like the elbow pads, but not the forearm protectors
| ||
Shin pads | Grays G60 Hockey Shin Pads Protection (£18) - go under long socks SPES HEMA Shin Guards (£19) Red Dragon HEMA Shin Guards (£20) - bulky but can go over trousers | Red Dragon HEMA Knee & Shin Protectors (£42) - don't need separate knee pads | SPES Vectir Lower Leg Protector (£42.50) |
Mask overlay | SPES Unity Mask Overlay NG 800N (£66), SPES Trinity Mask Overlay (£66.50) | SPES Trinity Leather Mask Overlay (£103.50) | |
Steel sword | Few option on the budget end are available or worth buying | Most quality swords will cost around £280 - £400 | Anything over £400 I would consider a luxury |
Longsword | Kingston Arms Federschwert (£195) | Regenyei Armory Standard Federschwert (£322) - or Italian or Wide equivalents Equivalently priced sword from Kvetun or Sigi or another forge (order directly from manufacturer) | More expensive Feder from Regenyei, Sigi, Kvetun, etc. (order directly from manufacturer) |
Sabre | Regenyei Armory Tournament Sabre (£357) Kvetun Eastern mk3 (£350+ including customs and shipping) | Lots of other options from Sigi, Kvetun and Regenyei etc. | |
Arming sword or sidesword | Regenyei Armory One-Handed Sword Trainer (£280) - used to be the cheapest one-handed sword. Good all-rounder. May be cheaper options now if you order from manufacturers (Regenyei, Sigi, Kvetun) | Kvetun sidesword no. 1 or 2. Regenyei, Sigi, etc. equivalents (£300-£350+ including shipping and customs) | Kvetun sidesword no. 3 or Sigi, Regenyei, etc. equivalents (£350-£400+ including shipping and customs) |
Rapier | Regenyei cup-hilt rapier (~£300 with customs and shipping) | Regenyei Armory Standard Rapier (£349) Lots of other options from Sigi, Kvetun and Regenyei etc. | Lots of other options from Sigi, Kvetun and Regenyei etc. |