Coaches' pads/training gear

[El Chucko]

I am going to the (epee) coaches' college this summer, and I have been encouraged to bring pads. I am not able to borrow my club's pads, so I am thinking of buying my own.

Can anyone recommend a good set of pads for coaching epee (incl. a leg pad)?

I would prefer suede, but am open to ideas. I don't really wanna spend $800.

The Blade vest and sleeve look just right, but I don't see a leg pad available on their website...

Thanks in advance.

[keith]

When I got my sleeve I bought the cheapest leather I could find - it has stood up well.

As to a jacket - make sure it has pockets for secondary padding; if you are going to spend days being stuck in the chest you will really need it. A leather/fabric combo is going to leave you with tender ribs. My old Soudet has with a large natural rubber pad that goes in a pocket that covers the whole chest - brilliant.

[peircer]

I got my sleeve and jacket from Blade, and like them quite a bit. I got the leg from someone else and for the life of me, can't remember where. I had quite a bit of bad luck ordering coaching gear though. Physical Chess took forever, goofed up telling me the correct size, then spent three months before telling me that they've determined that they had not sent me a replacement yet. I got the stuff from Blade pretty quickly. I think it depends on in if they've got it in stock, if they don't, they're (fencing equipment suppliers) are bad about notifying you about backorders.