Beginner's Gear Guide to HEMA Longsword
If the ring of steel and the clash of swords is what interests you, this guide will give you helpful information on advancing along your martial journey. Since we usually start beginners out on the venerable longsword, this gear guide will be focused on gear appropriate for that most noble of weapons (can you tell we like longswords?).
Head protection is critically important in HEMA, as in all sports. A good mask is a must and provides protection for the eyes as well as protection against blows to the head. These options are all fantastic to get started. If you read our Beginner's Gear Guide to LED Saber then you may recognize these recommendations.
Basic Fencing Mask (white)
Fencing Mask w/ Removable Liner
Basic Fencing Mask (black)
Hand protection is also critically important for HEMA, and especially for longsword. While lacrosse or hockey gloves can still work well for drills, slow work, and light contact sparring with lots of control and synthetic swords, they quickly prove inadequate for higher intensity work or anything involving steel. With that in mind, they still could be a great place to start as they are often affordable when compared to more protective gloves. Something like the Dragon Slayer gloves will also be great for use with synthetic swords and provides marginally more protection, especially to the thumb, than most lacrosse or hockey gloves.
Dragon Slayer Gloves
However, the best protection for the hands will be hardshell gloves, such as the SPES full thumb heavy gloves. While they are a little more cumbersome to move in and significantly more expensive, your hands will thank you for the protection and they are suitable for all levels of HEMA training, including full contact with steel swords.
SPES Full Thumb Heavy Gloves
And now for the part you have all been waiting for, buying your own sword! This is often the first thing people will want to get as part of their HEMA journey, and we understand that completely. Swords are cool! When buying a sword, please consult your instructors (us, hopefully) for information on sizing and other individualized recommendations. However, the ones listed below are great places to start. We will also be producing a more detailed and longer Sword Buying Guide in the future, so keep an eye out for that as well.
Synthetic Swords
Type III Pentti Longsword
Meyer Federschwert Longsword
As a quick note, I would recommend a cord wrap or re-wrap on anything that offers it for the purpose of a more reliable grip. The steel swords below are all a great place to start and have their own quirks that make them slightly different. We’ll have more on that in a future update.
Steel Swords
Meyer Feathersword
Tournament Feder, 46"
Regenyei Shorty Feder
Tournament Feder, Rolled Tip
Regenyei Standard Feder
Tournament Feder, Spatulated Tip
Now whether you're interested in HEMA or LED saber sparring, there are a variety of gear options available for beginners. While it can be overwhelming to decide on what equipment to invest in, it's important to consider your goals and preferences as well as the level of protection required for your chosen activity. From there, you can choose gear that fits your needs and budget, and slowly build up your collection as you progress in your martial arts journey. Remember to always prioritize safety and consult with experienced instructors or peers for advice on gear selection.