FIE AND EFC EQUIPMENT RULES

Last Updated: 13.03.26

On this page:

• • Required equipment for official FIE and EFC competitions
  • Additional rules for EFC Cadet Circuit events
  • Links to equipment and publicity regulations
  • General equipment checks and preparation advice

FIE AND EFC COMPETITIONS (CHAMPIONSHIPS AND CIRCUIT EVENTS)

Athletes competing in official FIE competitions and all EFC Championships and Circuit events must use equipment meeting the following standards:

• 800 Newton (CEN Level 2) FIE jacket
• 800 Newton (CEN Level 2) FIE breeches
• 800 Newton FIE plastron worn under the jacket
• FIE CEN Level 2 mask (1600 Newton bib) with two approved fastening systems. Contour masks require an additional safety back strap. Foil and sabre masks, which are fully conductive, cannot be used for epee.
• At sabre, an FIE CEN Level 2 glove
• Maraging steel FIE‑homologated blades (sabre blades stamped “M” permitted only until September 2022; full FIE marking required thereafter)
• Foil chest guards (men and women) covered with an FIE‑approved soft layer and worn under the plastron
• Body wires with transparent connecting plugs at both ends

EFC CADET CIRCUIT EVENTS (ADDITIONAL RULES)

• Athlete names are not required on the back of the jacket.
• National logos (GBR patches) are not required on the breeches.

USEFUL LINKS

EFC Cadet regulations (see item 11): here

FIE Material Rules: here

FIE Publicity Code: here

Publicity note: Under recent rule changes, no publicity or sponsor logos may appear on foil or epee breeches except the official national logo (GBR patch). Sabre athletes may have a sponsorship logo on the non‑sword‑side upper thigh, clearly separated from the national logo.

FURTHER NOTES AND CHECKLIST

• Clearly label all equipment, including body wires.
• Check for holes and damaged seams in jackets, breeches, and gloves. Gloves with repaired holes will not pass weapon control.
• For all FIE and EFC Major Championships, national logos on breeches are required. Arm logos are optional, but in team events all athletes must match.
• Socks must remain up during fencing and must fully cover the legs.
• For team matches, the colour and style  of each fencers socks must match.
• Breeches must adequately overlap the jacket.
• Long hair must be tied up; at foil and sabre it must not cover the back of the lame.
• Test all weapons and body wires for continuity, resistance and weight before travelling. Some events may not have an armoury service.
• Be prepared for all equipment to undergo weapon control, as requirements differ by event.

If you have questions about this guidance, please submit them using the form here.

Click the links below to go to your GBR Zone:

Para Fencing | Under 14 | Cadet | Junior | U23 & Senior