Allstar athens range

[bleeblue]

Hi i'm looking to buy the Allstar athens jacket and some fie breeches as well. There really isn't any possibility for me to try the stuff on before i buy so any comments would be great.

The problem i had with my past jacket is that is was too long (i had to get it taken up by 10 cms) i have wide shoulders for a female, and slightly longer arms than average. I also have a high waist, so although i am average height (just under 170cms) my upper body is a little shorter than normal proprtions.

i'm just wondering if anyone out there has an allstar jacket in the make for shorter people in size 20 or 22 (this is from the german site, it's the short womens style for the size 40 and 42 jackets - if anyone has these the length and shoulder mesurments would be a great guide too!) and if they could give me the length mesurments for this. Also i know the jacekt is quite a slim fit - that's part of the reason why i want to get it, but how is it around the shoulders? How is this jacekt aroudnt he arms - my current jacket is huge aroudn me arms - which gets annoying in epee as my opponets blade gets caught in my sleeve at times :S

Also another question is about the breeches, i've read comments that the athens style restict movment. What fie breeches would you recomend for someone with a longish lunge (not super long)? Also as i have hardly any hips - i have a kind of boyish frame - would i be better off getting mens breeches? or would this be too narrow restricting on my largish thighs (i result of fencing i'm afraid :P...)

oh, and as a reference of my build, i fit perfectly into a LP 350N competition jacket size 36 - but i would like to try allstar for a change.

sorry about the long post, it's just alot of money i'm gonna have to fork out for these so and advice is great. thanks in advance

[KD5MDK]

Where are you located?

If you're having trouble finding gear that suits your body, I know Leon Paul will tailor to your measurements, and I believe if other vendors won't directly, you can have gear taken to a local tailor/seamstress.

[bleeblue]

I'm in australia - i should have gotten everythign while i was in the uk for 6 months earlier this year - but i just never got the time *sigh*

stuck on an island far far away...

[KD5MDK]

Ah, that complicates things. There are a number of Australian fencers on this board however, so I'm sure the local knowledge will come through.

A Kiwi fencer posted he found Leon Paul cheaper than Allstar, ordered direct from each company, due to shipping. It is possibe that the same may be true in Australia, although I suspect a local distributor for each is more likely. Anyway, LP does arm and leg extensions for free, as well as (for +30% price) custom fit jackets. It would probably be worth emailing them with your measurements and asking what sizing would fit you best.

[bleeblue]

this is another reason why i didn't buy from leon paul in the UK, i found it was cheaper to buy a jacket and a wepon and have them shipped to AUS than pay the damm VAT

i really want to make an allstar order as i want the pink allstar mask - it'll be cheaper to get everything form one company direct than in 2 parcels

Thanks for the help.

Oh and i also want to add that i'm thinking of getting the girls/childrens Allstar Startex breeches - i looked at the sizing chart for the largest size and they seem to be ok to fit does anyone see a problem with this? do they make childrens breeches shorter, or is the difference more in the cut?

[Zilverzmurfen]

I have the allstar 'Athens' kit and can at least share my thoughts on it. I have always used allstar kit (so can't compare to other brands) and am very happy with it.

I'm 174 cm's tall and have the 'Athens' jacket in size 42. Like you, I didn't have a chance to try it on before buying. Knowing this now I will go up one size in length next time I buy a new jacket. It's ok but just a wee bit short.

I may also go up one size in width as the shoulders in size 42 is rather narrow, and I'm also not particularly broad shouldered... (There's a couple of photos in my forum photo album of me wearing it, in case you want to view them for reference.) I know you mentioned the 'stocky' version of size 42 (22), but I'm thinking my measurements might help you make a decision.

I find the fit to be 'snug' and haven't experienced any problems regarding tips getting caught in the sleeves.

I would love to help you out by measuring it, however I have all my equipment at my club and unfortunately won't be able to get there until the 19th of December...

I also have both the 'Athens' and the 'Startex' (stretchy) breeches and would recommend 'Startex' wholeheartedly over 'Athens'! If you say yourself you have a longish lunge I suggest you get the 'Startex' ones, if affordable for you.

The 'Athens' breeches have so-called "stretch panels". I don't find them particularly stretchy, to be honest. The 'Startex' are sooo much more comfortable. Freedom of movement, yay.

Anyway, hope this helps. Best of luck with your new kit!

[Nusy]

ZZ - same with jacket, but I have to say Athens was way better for me, its cut is nearer to my shape. If you have "strong" (ie thick) thighs, get Athens in a bigger size - it's worth.

[Nusy]

Oh, but there's PBT too... look around on www.pbtfencing.com

[Insipiens]

this is another reason why i didn't buy from leon paul in the UK, i found it was cheaper to buy a jacket and a wepon and have them shipped to AUS than pay the damm VAT

You could have saved even more (tip for next time) by paying the VAT, making sure you get hold of the VAT reclaim form and reclaiming the VAT when you leave the European Union - that way no shipping costs (presuming you don't exceed your flight's luggage allowance because of the vast amounts of kit you have with you) and no VAT. I think you have to leave the EU within three months of the purchase.

[downunder]

You could have saved even more (tip for next time) by paying the VAT, making sure you get hold of the VAT reclaim form and reclaiming the VAT when you leave the European Union - that way no shipping costs (presuming you don't exceed your flight's luggage allowance because of the vast amounts of kit you have with you) and no VAT. I think you have to leave the EU within three months of the purchase.

exactly right.


I did this with a lot of fencing gear when i was in Linz

[bleeblue]

I would of done that if i wasn't moving back to Aus. I already had over 50 kgs of luggage on me - i couldn't have possibly carried more stuff *sigh*

i don't know when i'll be back there too.

[LUDICROUS]

exactly right.


I did this with a lot of fencing gear when i was in Linz

Heh, awesome. Main objective if I ever go to europe for a trip.

[bleeblue]

So i splurged! i got the complete startex set - i am so poor - it's still on my CC atm :P

Ordered through http://www.fechtsport-langenkamp.de - i gave them i measuments and they said i should be good with a size 38.

oh and a pink mask - hopefully i'll be the only one in Australia with one - that would be awsome.

[RebelFencer]

So i splurged! i got the complete startex set - i am so poor - it's still on my CC atm :P

Ordered through http://www.fechtsport-langenkamp.de - i gave them i measuments and they said i should be good with a size 38.

oh and a pink mask - hopefully i'll be the only one in Australia with one - that would be awsome.

The startex is totally awesome! You made a good decision.