What's in my fencing bag

Before every tournament, I always double-check my fencing bag. Nothing is worse than arriving at a competition and realizing you forgot something important. For the recent SJCC in Las Vegas, here's what I packed and why.

Mask

I use a Blue Gauntlet saber mask. It's comfortable, fits well, and has held up through a lot of practices and tournaments. Your mask is one of the most important pieces of equipment, so finding one that fits properly is worth it.

Lames

I always travel with two lames. My favorite right now is the lightweight fabric lame from Absolute Fencing. It's lighter than traditional metal-thread lames, easier to move in, and best of all, it's washable. After a long tournament weekend, that becomes a huge advantage. Having a backup lame is important because equipment can fail inspection or get damaged during competition.

Uniform (Whites)

I use Absolute Fencing whites made from their stretch material. After trying different uniforms, I like these because they're lightweight and comfortable.

Compared to some of the heavier uniforms I've worn before, they feel much easier to move in, especially during long competition days when every little bit of comfort helps.

Shoes

My current favorite fencing shoes are the Kempa Attack.

I've tried several different models over the years, but these have been the best combination of comfort, grip, and support for me. Every fencer has different preferences, but after a lot of trial and error, these are the ones I keep coming back to.

Body Cords and Mask Cords

I always bring at least three sets.

This turned out to be a good decision in Las Vegas. During equipment check, one of my cords failed inspection and had to be replaced. Things break. Things stop working. That's part of fencing.

Having backups means you can focus on your fencing instead of scrambling to find replacement equipment minutes before your event starts.

Sabers

I travel with two sabers.If you've fenced long enough, you know blades break. Not every tournament, but often enough that you should always be prepared. A spare weapon isn't optional—it's part of being ready to compete.

Final Thoughts

One thing fencing has taught me is that preparation starts long before the first bout.

Packing the right equipment won't win matches for you, but forgetting something important can definitely make the day harder than it needs to be.

Before every tournament, I make a checklist and go through it one item at a time. It only takes a few minutes, and it helps me arrive knowing I'm ready to focus on fencing.