Choosing the right fencing glove matters for safety, grip, and long training sessions. Whether you're a beginner, club competitor, or HEMA practitioner, the glove you pick affects performance and comfort. These recommendations come from hands-on testing, expert coach input, and aggregated consumer feedback.
Considerations & Methodology
What we tested
- Fit & sizing: how well gloves conform to different hand shapes and how sizing guidance held up in real use.
- Protection & padding: distribution of padding across the back of the hand, fingers, and palm.
- Grip & control: slip-resistance on the palm/thumb areas during repeated weapon handling.
- Durability & materials: leather vs synthetic, stitching, reinforcement points, and washability.
- Competition suitability: whether a glove is built to meet competition expectations and three-weapon use.
How we arrived at the list
- Hands-on testing with prolonged grip and drill sessions to evaluate comfort and abrasion.
- Durability checks: repeated flex cycles and wear-simulation on high-stress areas.
- Consultation with fencing coaches for real-world feedback on performance and safety priorities.
- Cross-referenced hundreds of consumer reviews to identify common failure modes and praised features.
These factors guided our final rankings and helped balance cost, protection, and longevity for different user needs.
Budget Practice Fencing Glove
An entry-level, low-cost glove oriented at practice and youth fencers. It provides basic palm padding and anti-skid surface for weapon control, suitable for drills and beginners who need a cheap, replaceable training glove.
Budget Practice Fencing Glove — Best Budget Pick
A simple, inexpensive choice for novices and kids who outgrow gear quickly. This glove offers basic padding and an anti-skid palm designed for foil, epee and sabre practice. It’s lightweight and inexpensive—great for repetitive training where loss or wear is a real risk. Expect limited longevity and simpler construction compared with leather or reinforced models; treat it as a practice-only glove rather than competition kit.
Pros: Very affordable, lightweight, anti-skid palm.
Cons: Minimal reinforcement, shorter lifespan, limited technical refinement.
Mythrojan Leather Swordsman Glove
A handcrafted leather glove with light padding ideal for HEMA and historical sparring. It balances wrist mobility with durable stitching and is suited for rapier and longsword drills where nimble hand movement is essential.
Mythrojan Leather Swordsman Glove — Premium Choice
Handcrafted from top-quality leather with light padding, this glove is built for HEMA sparring and reenactment use. The supple leather gives excellent dexterity while protecting against glancing blows and improving comfort inside gauntlets. Construction and stitching are solid, but sizing runs small—order one size up if you're between. It's the most premium-feeling option here and performs well where mobility and natural hand feedback matter most.
Pros: High-quality leather, excellent dexterity, durable stitching; ideal for HEMA/reenactment.
Cons: Higher price, sizing tends to run small, not heavily padded for full-contact longsword duels.
Competition 3-Weapon Glove
A versatile, competition-ready glove that works for foil, epee and sabre. It features a washable fabric, silicone non-slip grip, and construction that balances protection with mobility — a strong all-around option for club fencers.
Competition 3-Weapon Glove — Best Value for Money
This glove shines as an all-rounder: suitable for all three weapons, machine-washable, and enhanced with silicone grip particles for reliable weapon control. It’s designed to meet competition expectations while remaining affordable, making it a strong choice for club fencers who want a single glove for training and local events. Comfort and washability give it an edge in day-to-day use.
Pros: 3-weapon versatility, washable, good non-slip grip, competition-oriented design.
Cons: Not leather—so it lacks the premium feel and long-term abrasion resistance of leather models.
LEONARK Padded Fencing Glove
A leather-mitten glove built from sheepskin with palm padding and CE standard construction. It’s robust, waterproof-treated, and crafted for frequent use — a strong pick for regular club competitors prioritizing durability and grip.
LEONARK Padded Fencing Glove — Editors Choice
Crafted from high-toughness sheepskin leather with added palm padding and CE-standard construction, this glove balances protection, durability, and comfort. Waterproof and anti-slip treatments help maintain grip in sweaty conditions, and reinforced construction withstands frequent use. Its leather build and attention to reinforcement make it ideal for fencers who train often and need dependable, long-lasting gear. Follow the hand-wash and air-dry care instructions to maximize lifespan.
Pros: Durable sheepskin, solid padding, CE-standard, good for frequent use.
Cons: Pricier than synthetics; requires careful washing and drying.
Comparison & Key Differences
Quick comparison table
| Model | Price | Material | Best for | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Practice Fencing Glove | $8.23 | Synthetic | Beginners, kids, practice | Lowest cost, replaceable for high-wear use |
| Mythrojan Leather Swordsman Glove | $46.99 | Leather | HEMA, reenactment, rapier | Handcrafted leather, best dexterity |
| Competition 3-Weapon Glove | $19.95 | Washable fabric + silicone grip | Club fencers, competitions | Machine-washable, 3-weapon versatility |
| LEONARK Padded Fencing Glove | $29.99 | Sheepskin leather | Regular club competitors | CE-standard, durable padding and anti-slip treatment |
Best overall: LEONARK — it combines durable materials, protective padding, and competition-minded construction at a reasonable price.
Best for budget-conscious buyers: Budget Practice Glove — cheap, useful for drills and for younger fencers.
Best for HEMA/historical users: Mythrojan — premium leather and handcrafting make it better suited to rapier/longsword practice.
Best multi-purpose/value: Competition 3-Weapon Glove — washable, versatile, and competition-appropriate.
Final recommendation
After hands-on testing, coach feedback, and consumer-review analysis, we recommend the LEONARK Padded Fencing Glove as the best overall choice for most club fencers: it delivers reliable protection, CE-standard build quality, and leather durability without the top-tier premium price. If you need the cheapest option for repetitive drills or kids, go with the Budget Practice Glove. For HEMA or reenactment where leather feel and mobility matter most, choose the Mythrojan. If you want a washable, competition-ready glove that works across weapons and offers the best day-to-day value, the Competition 3-Weapon Glove is the sensible pick.
These recommendations are grounded in repeated field testing, expert coach input, and aggregated user experiences—so pick the glove that best matches your discipline, budget, and how often you train.