Good High-end Jacket

[RebelFencer]

Ok, I figured I'd poll you all even though I know that this has undoubtedly been asked before (I like personalized responses, it makes me feel special). I'm looking to get a new jacket and would like to get some feedback from people.

I currently have an Allstar Startex jacket that is far too tight for my liking (although I'm sure the ladies love it ).

Positives: I love the material. It stretches exactly how I would want it to, and manages to still be tough when put through lots of wear and tear.

Negatives: This particular jacket was put together poorly. I've had to replace the zipper, the velcro all over it (multiple times), and the crotch strap keeps breaking off. I've used the jacket for about two seasons.

Anyways, I really like the cut of Allstar jackets... but would prefer to take my business elsewhere for my next one. Currently I'm thinking Negrini. What say you Armory?

[piste off]

I have the Negrini FIE and absolutely love it. I reserve it for comps, and use an old Uhlmann World Cup for practice (it is not stretchy, is heavy and hot but protects really well).

The Negrini is stretchy and light, and the cut is great. I have not had it long enough to comment on durability, but a friend who has one says that it is very durable (it is so light that you would normally question that after using the heavier Startex).

Check out Rick Shellhouse's (Escrime International) new kit if you can wait. I checked it out at the nationals, and it looks really nice. He has great attention to detail, which must come from his photography background. Helluva nice guy, too.

Rick

[Rick Shellhouse]

Check out Rick Shellhouse's (Escrime International) new kit if you can wait. I checked it out at the nationals, and it looks really nice. He has great attention to detail, which must come from his photography background. Helluva nice guy, too.

Rick

Awww shucks..... It was going to be live by event end...but I was aliiiitle busy in case ya didnt notice...lol...but in a good way

R

[RebelFencer]

Awesome, I will definitely look into both. Thanks!

[little_old_me]

Also, if you like the Startex but the Allstar is cut a little tight for you, the Uhlmann Olympia is the same thing, only cut for more... robust frames. That said, I'm 6'2" 145lbs and my Olympia fits me amazingly. Yay for tall sizes!

[fatfencer]

TCA? They make a good uniform...FIE too.

FF

[KD5MDK]

Everybody apparently makes an FIE uniform. As far as I know, there's no way to tell if it's real or counterfit, since the FIE does not publish a list of approved uniforms.

[twisterfencing]

Estoc is on the top of my list

[Cookeit]

Also, if you like the Startex but the Allstar is cut a little tight for you, the Uhlmann Olympia is the same thing, only cut for more... robust frames. That said, I'm 6'2" 145lbs and my Olympia fits me amazingly. Yay for tall sizes!

?????

You are saying that the Allstar cut is too tight for you?
I am 6'1 at 170 lbs and people call me skinny... I can only imagine you...

[piste off]

That said, I'm 6'2" 145lbs and my Olympia fits me amazingly. Yay for tall sizes!

What sizes (jacket and knickers) are you using?

Rick

[DJ Apostrophe]

?????

You are saying that the Allstar cut is too tight for you?
I am 6'1 at 170 lbs and people call me skinny... I can only imagine you...

I wear the Allstar jacket myself... (I got size 120 (I think)...) I'm 6'4" and at one point was almost 260lbs... and it still fit fine...

I'm now going in the right direction and down to 218lbs as of last night...

-w

[little_old_me]

I wear a size 98 (tall cut) in the Olympia. I hadn't tried the tall cut AllStar when I got my Uhlmann stuff. I had worn the AllStar Startex normal size (46, I believe) and it fit well in the chest, but was WAY too short. Plus, I couldn't actually get the knickers on (thighs aren't quite as small as the rest of my frame... yay fencing).

I tried the Uhlmann 98 and it fit in the body almost identically to the Absolute size 30 nylon jacket that I wore previously. Yes, the AllStar was a bit tighter, but I was more comfortable in the Uhlmann. (plus, if I ever eventually get around to weight training, there's a little room) The sleeves and torso were the perfect length. The size 98 knickers fit very well in length and in my legs/butt, but the waist is a bit loose. (i've been told that i probably should have gotten women's pants as they are cut smaller in the waist.) That said, it's nothing major and a quick trip to an alteration shop should make them perfect.

[journalmom]

What types of fabric are these jackets made of? Nylon that's flexible but not breatheable or cotton canvas that's really stiff? It'll be nice to find a jacket that's light, breatheable, and cut to fit most body types with long fencing arms. My son's right arm is longer than the left (right handed) and the jacket that fits him all around has shorter arms. Can't find a perfect jacket that fits him properly and that breathes well when it gets wet from sweat. Any ideas??? Doesn't have to be FIE; he's not there yet.

[Guymelef]

What types of fabric are these jackets made of? Nylon that's flexible but not breatheable or cotton canvas that's really stiff? It'll be nice to find a jacket that's light, breatheable, and cut to fit most body types with long fencing arms. My son's right arm is longer than the left (right handed) and the jacket that fits him all around has shorter arms. Can't find a perfect jacket that fits him properly and that breathes well when it gets wet from sweat. Any ideas??? Doesn't have to be FIE; he's not there yet.

I've always fenced in full FIE kit. My mom (who fenced in college) would not hear of me wearing anything less then body armor! I have fenced in both Triplette and PBT jackets. I liked my Triplette FIE ballistic nylon jacket, but it eventually wore out. Now I'm wearing the PBT superlight, which is a tightly-woven cotton jacket. Again, this is an FIE jacket and is rated at 800N. The arms seem to be generous on this, and an added touch is a half-band of elastic around the cuffs to ensure better fit. There is also a panel of sythetic material in the back for wicking moisture, acting as a sort of valve.

Nevertheless, the way to deal with sweat is carefully selecting what is worn beneath the jacket. I have had great success with long sleeve Under Armour. It is highly efficient at wicking moisture away from the skin and does not retain wetness like cotton. Fencing at a primarily epee club I have found that the long sleeves, fitting tight against the skin, form a slip face for the jacket to slide along. It has all but eliminated the 'track marks' from my arm. I am also getting fewer gouges out of my elbow. It works for the freak 'epee touch' in foil too.