Hi Charmaine: I thought you'd be a good person to ask since you have probably bought more fencing apparel for kids than most people: Willie got incredibly beat up in in his last tournament - bruises like I've never seen and his skin was broken. Does the FIE equipment really make a difference? I got an email from Blue Gauntlet today saying they're having a sale, and there are some FIE jackets/pants for kids. The sizing is a bit confusing. Do you have any thoughts/advice/tips? I lost your email, but please respond to mine mlevine@packer.edu Hope all is well and thanks so much Maggie