fencing jackets

I am thinking about purchasing a new fencing jacket and want to know what everybody's favorite brand/style is. I am interested in nylon jackets and possibly those that stretch. I've only ever fenced in the heavy cotton kind and am looking for something a bit easier to move in.

*piscesdragon

[latenight]

i just got a new fie homologated from TCA($115.00) that i love, but it is bulky. they have a ballistic stretch but it is much higher priced

[This message has been edited by latenight (edited 08-04-2000).]

[Tripper]

I've used the TCA Tournament Model FIE Jacket which is the cheaper of the full stretch jackets. It was very comfortable and held up well. It's a little more bulky and warm then an Allstar or Uhlmann but the padding was nice in Epee. The entire jacket has a cotton lining. I outgrew it and now use the Uhlmann full stretch which is great, it's a lot lighter, cooler, and more comfortable then the TCA I had.

Tripper

Who sells the Uhlman full stretch?

[LongPiper]

I have been considering getting a cotton/duck padded practice jacket. Are these really tough to move in (bulky)? Been told that after you wash 'em a time or two and wear 'em a bit, they loosen up. I've seen one in American Fencing's catalog.

------------------
Mike Long
St. Louis, MO

[latenight]

If your looking for a heavy jacket, get the TCA FIE homologated i just bought. you barely feel anything through it. it is heavy compared to other jackets. and it is hot like all cotton jackets, but i like the feel of it and it looks like it will be indestructable. it sells for 115 at tca

[Moonitic]

A word about the nylon: I had stretch nylon knickers & despised them. They didn't breathe well (if at all) & my legs ended up feeling VERY disgusting after a day of fencing. I'd stick with cotton. But that's just me.

And I'm a big front close fan.

[Tripper]

I believe Blade, American, and Fencing Post all sell the Uhlmann full stretch uniforms as well as the ones with the stretch panels. The Allstar uniforms are just as good but must have a different cut to them because they didn't fit me as well.

Tripper

[neevel]

Cotton duck will shrink in the dryer, so they definitely won't 'loosen up'. If you get one, you either want to hang-dry it, or go one or two sizes up to allow for shrinkage. Blue Gauntlet sells a perfectly servicable cotton jacket with a stretch nylon panel in back, which is what most beginners in my club have been buying (it's about $45). I personally would go for a stretch nylon jacket-- Uhlmann, Allstar, and Santelli are probably the three best. Uhlmann and Allstar uniforms are similar, but Allstar clothing is cut fairly trim in the body while Uhlmann is wider. Santelli uniforms use layers of an especially supple stretch fabric, and are cut as wide like Uhlmanns (even wider, if anything). American Fencers Supply stretch nylon uniforms use a type of fabric that is heavy and doesn't breathe well (is this what you were using, Moonitic?) and are somewhat crudely sewn, to boot.
If you're _really_ serious then FIE homologated uniforms are the best, but most beginners aren't going to want to drop that much money at the start. Full stretch FIE uniforms like Allstar Startex, Uhlmann Olympia, or Soudet are the nicest (Soudet is what I use-- they don't have a U.S. distributor, though) but they are pricey.

-Dave Neevel

[Moonitic]

Ugh..it's been a couple years since I've used 'em...

TCA offered the knickers in the fabric I spoke of. Not very heavy, but not good breathing, either. I won't get into detail, but it was NOT a pleasant experience!

[latenight]

I hav been told never to put cotton uniforms in the dryer, it weakens the fabric. Just hang dry, then crumple it up to remove stiffness. You should use cold water not hot or warm. You'd have to ask others about stretch and nylon, i dont use them