Contour Fit Mask, F.I.E. approved with 1600 newton bib

I've had this mask for two years now, and it's served me well. One problem I've had with it is that the bib is a little too small, though the mask's shell fits me fine. Also, the inner foam has started to disappear with the rubbing on my lame, and it makes my bib roll up. I guess it's to be expected from having a cheap stainless steel lame though... One other problem I've had is that after a hard hit on the mask my ears ring. The worst I've had was when someone flicked the side of my mask in practice. I thought I'd gone deaf for a second, and couldn't hear out of my ear for the next 5 minutes. After two years of owning it, I still do not regret buying this mask. However, I will need a new mask soon, and I think this time I will go with Allstar/Uhlmann or FWF, because with the Leon Paul mask you will look funny, temporarily lose your hearing multiple times, and have your bib roll up. On the bright side you won't get paint specks in your eyes from hard hits, you get the contour fit system, and of course, Leon Paul's awesome customer support. Wearing this mask will get you negative style points.

I suppose I'll add my support for this mask.

The mask is excellent.  Mine is the different from most others though in that it's colored green, and the coloring was very well done.

The mask is very resilient, but it does seem to pick up some dirt a little easily.  Other than that, 5-stars all-around.  The fit is great, the contour system is great, everything's just...great!

Previous reviews nail everything on the head, so I won't waste any more time.

This is THE mask to get.  I recommend getting it colored for the extra $20 or whatever dollars, just because...they do a great job with the coloring, I say again.

I like it although I'm not as blown away as some other people appear to be with the contour fit system.  It does take a little getting used to, I've had this mask since summer and I am just getting to where it doesn't feel a little awkward to have to strap the velcro down instead of just putting it on like you would with a standard mask.  Other than this I do like it.  It is a little more comfortable and certainly more adjustable than regular masks.  Make sure you take time to adjust it properly, when my hair got a little too shaggy I noticed that using the mask for a while gave me a headache so I know if it's off by just a little it can be uncomfortable (yes, I got a haircut and it feels great again).  

Basically if you don't have any problems with the standard mask system and think yours is comfortable don't expect the Contour Fit to be amazingly more comfortable and it might be annoying to get used to putting it on, but if you have trouble making your mask fit and hate way it feels this is probably exactly what you want.

I'll add my voice to the endorsements for this terrific mask. The contour fit system is great. My measurements were exactly in between the medium and large sizes for both directions of head circumference. I got the medium. It is a perfect fit and feels absolutely secure.



Although I usually fence with contacts, this also fits adequately over my glasses (although on and off is a bit slower)



With a couple minutes of practice it goes on and off with one hand very easily.



I too would like to see a removable bib liner for washing. I also think the velcro on top could be a little longer to let the forehead pad come down a little further. Every manufacturer who sells a mask at this price point should include a mask bag to help keep it nice.

This mask is incredibly comfortable and well made. I can't find anything wrong with it. It is easy to put on and to take off, even over my glasses. Due to the Contour Fit head band system, it is difficult to just flip the mask up to sit on top of the head the way you can with a standard tongue mask. The only annoyance is when I get hit on the mask it rings like a bell inside. This is a little distracting.

Ok, Now LP have even made this mask with their x-change system, brilliant mask! Best ever.

Aussie-Fencer

This is the most comfortable mask I\'ve ever worn. I usually have a problem with masks shifting while I fence, but this one stays snug.



It took a little bending to get it to fit my head right. It seemed just a little too small at first (but not enough to justify going up a size). I could get my chin in fine by elongating it, but then my ears would get pinched. Then I could get my ears comfortable, but my chin would get smashed. Now, I found the happy medium, and it fits absolutely perfectly.



It also holds up well to the various abuses I heap upon it.



I wouldn\'t change a thing about this mask.

This is the best mask I have ever had. I fence epee, and it has not got a single dent in it over the last year that I have owned it. The fit is pretty good, even for my odd head shape.

This is the most comfortable mask I have tried! I have tried nearly all the other brands in an attempt to find one that fits my head just right. The Contour fit system is a revolution in masks. I'm able to adjust the mask to fit me just right. I love the removable headrest! Not having a metal tongue on the back of the mask makes it noticeably lighter than the rest.



Having so high regard for this mask, there are some small details that could be improved upon. The bib is a little on the short side compared to most other masks. In certain situations a tip could get underneath the bib. Also, I wish they gave the option for a removable liner for the bib. This is not a negative, just a personal preference. This is still the best mask available on the market and is worth the extra money.

This mask is wonderful. It's extremely comfortable and fits tightly so that it doesn't wobble around on my head. At first I had to bend it a little to fit my head and I had to adjust some of the padding, but once I got through that it was great. I'd reccomend this mask for anybody.



The one drawback I can say is that it doesn't have a sweat band for the forehead, so you're going to have to wear a headband or bandana with it, but I don't really consider that a drawback. Overall, it's an excellent mask.

I love the mask. I wear glasses, and it fits with them great. the Contour Fit system is excellent. I had a Triplette mask, and it dented/rusted very easily. My only 3 complaints:



1) Pricey (but what isn't when it's great quality)

2) The bib is smaller than I'm used to...I wish it were a little larger

3) I wish it had a removable bib liner



Even with those complaints, I would absolutely recommend this mask!

I started out with a BG mask and thought I was being smart saving money. After the paint flecks in the eye and the broken tongue I traded up to an Uhlmann mask. I traded up to an Allstar (non-FIE) and thought that this is the coolest mask ever. Then I started fencing epee. The very thin bib on the Allstar mask and its tendency to curl up left me getting shot in the throat a lot. So I got an Uhlmann. Better padding on the bib and less roll up. A very nice mask, but I was never quite happy with the fit.



When the time came for a new mask I thought I would try the LP Contour fit and finally upgrade to FIE. I can't imagine myself ever owning another mask. This is the perfect one for me. The Contour fit system means that the mask is pretty much endlessly adjustable to fit anyone and the disk itself is so much more comfortable than the normal spring clip it is hard to describe. I spent the first week thinking that it would fall off!



The mask is fairly lightweight for an FIE mask. The bib is made of a very durable material the comes out a bit past the back of the mask from to give the fencer excellent protection on the sides of the neck. It is well padded but flexible and the design makes it so that it does not roll up. The insulation has proven very durable, the mask dries very quickly and for whatever reason the mask seems to resist odor very well.



I guess my only complaint is that the material is not a very bright white but more of an off white. Not a big deal, but it is the only negative thing I can think of with this mask. If you are in the market for an FIE mask I highly recommend this one but do yourself a favor and pay the extra 10 bucks for the contour fit system. It is so very worth it.

I can't say enought nice things about this mask. Leon Paul has outdone themselves with this one.

This is the most comfortable mask in which I've stuck my skull. When it first landed in my abode I spent 15 minutes making adjustments until I got the disk and the forehead pad just to my liking. The mask is noticeably lighter than most masks I've worn.



The protective factors of the mask are excellent as well. The mesh is stiff and seems like it could last years (I wish, now, that I had asked them to color it for me -- Gunmetal or blue :( ). The bib is also nice and rigid, which forces me to keep my head up (I'm used to tucking my chin in for boxing) which helps keep my posture straight.



Like all LP products, the mask is a bit pricey, but with it's awesome features, every dollar/euro/peso/yuan/analogous monetary unit is worth spending.



-Da Mose

This mask is the greatest. The contour disc is quite comfortable and the forehead pad is adjustable which allows you to adjust how far away the mask grid is from the tip of your nose. Very comfortable and built to last. Only thing is that it's a little tricky to put on gracefully with just one hand but I'm getting the hang of it.

I have nothing but good things to say about this mask. As a beginner, this is my first mask. I bought it site unseen, figuring that almost anything would be better than the club mask I was wearing, which quite frankly ooged me out (kinda manky inside, ya know?). I liked the idea of the contour fit system and it has only exceeded my expectations. It is SOMEWHAT less comfortable in the mask on top of your head position, but honestly, who cares? I wear glasses and it fits nicely over them as well. Visibility is excellent and I like the apron as well. All in all, a wonderful mask and quite reasonably priced.

This is truely another great Leon Paul innovation. This mask is very nice to wear. To my surprise, not only was the countor fit plate adjustable, but the forehead restraint. Another luxury that people considering to buy this should be aware of is that it uses the water transporting technology on the forehead restraint. It has a very generous bib and looks great. My mask was painted silver and I treat it like my baby. It blows all masks out of the water. A status symbol!

Although i spent about 180 dollars on it from shipping and the special coloring, I haven't regreted it. If you suffer from fencing addiction then you will be crazy enough to find it worth the money like i did.

As noted by the others, this is one comfortable mask. The fitting system is excellent. It fits so well without pressure points that, for the first few weeks, I kept thinking that the mask was too loose and would fall off.



Well, it didn't and it hasn't. My old Negrini FIE, while light and cool (temperature), had a couple of pressure points, which after an entire day of fencing would start to hurt. No such problems with the LP. It also perches nicely in the "up" position.



The LP has excellent visibility. The bib is a bit stiffer than my Negrini, which can help take the sting out of a hard throat touch. So far, the mesh has held up very well, and the mask cleans and dries nicely too.



If I had to complain about anything, it's be the cost, which was 189 USD from Santelli.

*First off, a bit of translation. In Canadianism, "Not bad!" = "Very good indeed!" in English.



First off, the faults of the X-Change sabre mask:

1. The sides are too narrow. OK, OK, I have a big head. My hat size is 7-7/8. So a small part of my head sticks out the back. This leads to problem 2:

2. In order for me to get my big head all the way in in the mask to get the most protection I have to really tighten the strap. As a result the Contour-fit system is too fidgety. It takes a bit of time to get it to fit properly.

3. In order to get as much of the back of my head in the mask, I found that my chin is brushing up against the inside of the mask. I have no problems with my blasses though, just my chin.



Problem 1 is not spurious. I've got whacked so many times behind my left ear - mainly by the same person - that I have a microscopic blood clot at that spot on my brain. This leads to epilepsy. Afterall, everytime a whack on the head, especially one that drew blood IS a concussion.



I have solved these problems with my modification. See it at

http://www.fencing101.com/Photo_Gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=user&id=109_0915

http://www.fencing101.com/Photo_Gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=user&id=109_0916



Once you understand that I've been hit yet once again on the back of my head wearing the X-Change mask with the contour-fit system. Given my problem I had to find a solution that gives me adequate protection.



The solution comes in the form of adapting a hockey goalie's mask's skull plate. All I had to do was to cut a couple of slots to seat and fit the straps properly. The plastic is easy to work with. The skull plate has 1/2-inch of closed-cell foam on hte inside.



The other modification I did was to get a piece of thin closed-cell foam to cushion the inside of the chin a la the Allstar mask. The way Leon Paul secured the lining made securing the foam an easy task.



Now I have indubitably the best X-Change mask on the market.



The only problem I have is not knowing whether this modifiaction voids the FIE approval or not. I don't see why it would since there is no rule re the back of the mask, just the front and the mesh; but you know about some of the testers...



PK

I wear glasses and have had problems in the past with finding masks that would fit over them and not slide about on my head. The LP contour fit system allows me to wear a slightly bigger mask than my head needs yet keeps it in the right place.



The pads and straps are adjustable to an extent that it can be made comfortable for anyone. Definitly worth the extra fiver.