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Most gear lists for Historical European Martial Arts treat a fencing mask like a single product with one price and one photo. It is not. A mask sold for Olympic-style sport fencing carries a 350N puncture rating, a floor set by the sport-fencing lineage behind CE EN 13567 - fine for synthetic or nylon-blade sparring, but not built for what HEMA actually throws at it. Add a steel longsword, a heavy thrust, and a training partner who forgets to pull a strike, and that 350N mesh is working well outside its design brief.
We pulled together buyable masks spanning the 350N entry floor through the 1600N rating most clubs ask for once steel enters the picture, plus two back-of-head overlays for riders whose mask does not already cover that gap. Every rating below comes straight from the listing text, not a marketing PDF we cannot verify. Check your own club or tournament's stated equipment rules before assuming any rating clears you to spar - we explain why below.
Key Takeaways
- 350N is the entry floor for fencing masks, inherited from Olympic-style sport fencing (CE EN 13567 lineage). It is adequate for synthetic or nylon-blade sparring, not for full-contact steel.
- Most HEMA clubs and tournaments that allow steel sparring want a 1600N-rated mask, or a 350N mask upgraded with a back-of-head protector and a mask overlay.
- HEMA has no single global governing body issuing mask ratings the way ISO or CE does for sport fencing. Newton figures on these listings are manufacturer claims, not third-party lab certificates - verify against your event's own rulebook before you show up.
- Front-mesh rating and back-of-head protection are two separate specs. Some masks build in a padded or rigid rear guard; others need an add-on overlay to cover that zone at all.
- A mask has to fit snugly to do its job. Measure head circumference in centimeters against the maker's own size chart - a loose 1600N mask protects worse than a snug 350N one.
| LEONARK Armoury Hema Helmet 1600N |  |
Best Overall - 1600N Steel Sparring | Rating: 1600N | Certification: National-grade masque rating (no CE mark listed on this SKU) | Best For: Steel longsword sparring and coach-level drills | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| NORE YERZE Hema Mask 1600N |  |
Best 1600N with Built-In Neck Bib | Rating: 1600N | Certification: Manufacturer-rated 1600N, no third-party CE mark listed | Best For: Longsword, saber, and rapier sparring | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| ASAki CE350N Hema Fencing Mask |  |
Best Budget Entry - 350N Synthetic Sparring | Rating: 350N | Certification: CE350N marking | Best For: Synthetic and nylon-blade sparring, beginners | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| LEONARK Armoury AR7011 Coach Mask |  |
Best for Coaching and Drills | Rating: 350N | Certification: CE 350N Certified | Best For: Daily coaching and drill sessions | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| LEONARK Fencing Epee Mask |  |
Best Epee-Style Mask | Rating: 350N | Certification: CE Standard 350N Certified | Best For: Foil/epee-style sparring and light HEMA drilling | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| NORE YERZE Hema Mask 700N |  |
Best Mid-Tier Step-Up - 700N | Rating: 700N | Certification: Manufacturer-rated 700N, no CE mark listed | Best For: Bridging 350N synthetic sparring and full 1600N steel bouts | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| FIGLON ASAki Hema Mask Overlay (Long) |  |
Best Back-of-Head Overlay - Rigid Plate | Rating: No independent Newton rating; this is an add-on layer, not a standalone certified mask | Certification: Not applicable (accessory overlay) | Best For: Upgrading a 350N mask's back-of-head coverage without buying a new mask | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| LEONARK 800N Hema Fencing Mask Overlay |  |
Best Padded Occipital Overlay - 800N | Rating: 800N fencing fabric | Certification: Not applicable (accessory overlay) | Best For: Shoulder and occipital protection during full-contact bouts | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
LEONARK Armoury Hema Helmet 1600N
This is the mask the listing itself pitches at coaches and clubs running full-contact steel work, and the 1600N rating is the reason. That figure is roughly four and a half times the 350N floor carried by an Olympic-style fencing mask, which is the gap that matters once a training partner is swinging a blunted longsword instead of a foil.
The stainless mesh is listed at gauge No. 9, denser than the mesh on the sport-fencing masks further down this list, and the throat is covered by a double layer of 800N fabric rather than the single 350N layer common on entry masks. Neither spec is independently lab-verified here - it is the manufacturer's own claim - but the throat rating alone tells you this mask was built with steel contact in mind.
Fit comes from an adjustable strap at the back rather than a fixed shell, and the mask ships with its own storage bag. There is no rigid plate covering the back of the skull, so clubs whose drills put riders back-to-back or involve strikes from behind should still budget for an overlay - see the picks toward the end of this list.
Point this one at HEMA practitioners who have already outgrown a 350N sport-fencing mask and are sparring with steel regularly. Because the rating is manufacturer-stated rather than CE-certified, confirm your specific tournament or club still accepts it before you rely on it for anything beyond drilling.
- Rating:1600N
- Certification:National-grade masque rating (no CE mark listed on this SKU)
- Mesh:Stainless steel, mesh No. 9
- Throat Guard:Double-layer 800N fencing fabric
- Back Protection:Adjustable rear strap only, no rigid occipital plate
- Weight:Not specified by manufacturer
- Best For:Steel longsword sparring and coach-level drills
NORE YERZE Hema Mask 1600N
NORE YERZE builds this mask specifically for longsword, saber, and rapier practice rather than adapting a sport-fencing shell, and the listing calls out partner drills and controlled sparring by name. The 1600N figure puts it in the same rating class as the LEONARK pick above, again as a manufacturer claim rather than an independent lab result.
Where it differs is the neck bib: a padded guard is stitched directly into the mask rather than sold as a separate overlay, so back-of-head and neck coverage comes standard instead of being an accessory purchase. The listing describes rivet-connected inner padding meant to reduce shifting during footwork and blocking, which matters more with steel than with a lighter synthetic blade.
Sizing runs S through XL with a detachable liner, which makes it easier to keep the padding clean after sweaty sessions than a fixed, non-removable lining. As with any mask in this rating tier, measure against the maker's own chart rather than guessing from a t-shirt size.
This is a solid default for clubs that want the 1600N floor plus back-of-head coverage in one purchase instead of stacking a mask and an overlay separately. It still is not a CE-certified sport-fencing mask, so if your event specifically requires that stamp, this one will not satisfy it.
- Rating:1600N
- Certification:Manufacturer-rated 1600N, no third-party CE mark listed
- Face Guard:Dense steel mesh
- Fit:Detachable liner, sizes S to XL
- Back Protection:Built-in padded neck bib, rivet-connected
- Weight:Not specified by manufacturer
- Best For:Longsword, saber, and rapier sparring
ASAki CE350N Hema Fencing Mask
This is the clearest example on this list of a maker being upfront about a rating's limits. ASAki's own product copy tells buyers that if a training partner \"likes to slash vigorously,\" they should step up to a 1600N mask instead - which is exactly the honest distinction this whole roundup is built around. Take the 350N rating for what it is: an entry-level floor, not a ceiling.
The throat protector uses 350N stab-proof fabric rather than plain canvas, which the listing frames as more comfortable and more protective than a basic coach mask's throat guard. The liner is removable and made from a sweat-wicking fabric rather than standard polyester, useful for anyone training multiple times a week.
There is no back-of-head coverage built in and no overlay included, so treat this as a front-and-throat solution only. Sizing adjusts through the outer ring rather than a strap system, and the maker notes buyers can contact them directly if the stock size does not fit.
Recommend this to beginners doing synthetic or nylon-blade partner drills, or to clubs that keep a 350N tier specifically for lighter contact classes. Do not treat the CE350N marking as equivalent to a CE mark on an Olympic fencing mask without checking what that marking actually certifies for this particular product line.
- Rating:350N
- Certification:CE350N marking
- Throat Guard:350N stab-proof fabric
- Liner:Removable, sweat-wicking
- Back Protection:None built in; the listing itself recommends a 1600N mask for hard steel sparring
- Weight:Not specified by manufacturer
- Best For:Synthetic and nylon-blade sparring, beginners
LEONARK Armoury AR7011 Coach Mask
LEONARK markets this one specifically as a coach mask, built for the kind of daily repetition a club instructor puts a mask through rather than for occasional weekend sparring. The CE 350N certification puts it at the same rating floor as the ASAki pick above, but in a fixed rather than adjustable shell.
The stainless steel mesh is paired with a waterproof inner lining, which the listing frames around comfort during long sessions rather than a durability claim we can independently verify. A fixed-back design means there is no strap to loosen over time, though it also means less room to fine-tune fit than an adjustable mask offers.
There is no back-of-head protection built in, and this mask is not intended for steel contact - it is a 350N sport-fencing-lineage mask, full stop. Treat it as a demonstration and light-drilling tool rather than sparring gear once blades get heavier.
This is a reasonable pick for instructors who need a dedicated mask for demonstrating technique or running foil and epee-style drills, not for club members sparring with steel weapons. Pair it with a separate 1600N mask for anyone in the same club doing full-contact work.
- Rating:350N
- Certification:CE 350N Certified
- Mesh:Stainless steel
- Lining:Waterproof inner lining
- Back Protection:None built in (fixed-back design)
- Weight:Not specified by manufacturer
- Best For:Daily coaching and drill sessions
LEONARK Fencing Epee Mask
LEONARK's own listing pitches this mask for foil and epee practice first, then adds that it doubles for longsword or HEMA training - worth reading as a secondary use case rather than the mask's core design intent. The 350N certification matches the sport-fencing standard it descends from.
Construction follows the same formula as the brand's other 350N masks: a high-strength shell over a waterproof lining, with an adjustable back strap for tightening fit rather than a fixed shell. LEONARK also notes it will take customization requests on color, size, or pattern before an order ships, which is unusual among the masks on this list.
As with the other 350N entries here, there is no back-of-head coverage included. If your club uses this for HEMA rather than pure epee drilling, plan on adding an overlay separately rather than assuming the mask alone covers the rear of the skull.
Good fit for fencers doing epee or foil-style bouts who occasionally cross over into light HEMA drilling with synthetic blades. It is not the mask to reach for once a session moves to steel sparring - step up to a 1600N-rated option instead.
- Rating:350N
- Certification:CE Standard 350N Certified
- Shell:High-strength shell, waterproof lining
- Customization:Color, size, and pattern requests accepted pre-purchase
- Back Protection:None built in; pair with an overlay for HEMA use
- Weight:Not specified by manufacturer
- Best For:Foil/epee-style sparring and light HEMA drilling
NORE YERZE Hema Mask 700N
NORE YERZE sells this as a lighter-duty sibling to their 1600N mask covered earlier on this list, rated at 700N by the manufacturer. That sits roughly midway between a 350N sport-fencing floor and the 1600N tier most steel-sparring clubs ask for, which makes it a reasonable step for riders not yet ready to commit to the heavier mask.
Construction mirrors its 1600N sibling: steel mesh face guard, rivet-connected inner padding, and a padded neck bib built into the mask rather than sold separately. That means back-of-head coverage comes standard here too, at a lower price point than the full 1600N version.
Treat the 700N figure the same way as every other rating on this list - it is what the manufacturer states on the listing, not a number verified by an outside lab. If your club's rules specify a minimum Newton rating for sparring, confirm 700N actually clears that bar before buying.
A sensible pick for HEMA practitioners moving past synthetic-only drilling but not yet doing heavy, full-speed steel sparring - light-to-moderate contact classes, semi-controlled partner work, or clubs that grade contact intensity by belt or experience level.
- Rating:700N
- Certification:Manufacturer-rated 700N, no CE mark listed
- Face Guard:Steel mesh
- Construction:Rivet-connected inner padding
- Back Protection:Built-in padded neck bib
- Weight:Not specified by manufacturer
- Best For:Bridging 350N synthetic sparring and full 1600N steel bouts
FIGLON ASAki Hema Mask Overlay (Long)
This is not a mask - it is the fix for every 350N mask on this list that ships with no back-of-head protection at all. The overlay straps onto an existing mask and adds a 2mm PE plate backed by 5mm of felt cushioning over the occipital area, the zone a front-rated mesh does nothing to cover.
The listing describes a pocket built into the rear panel so extra plates can be added if a club wants more coverage, and a buckle plus elastic-band fastening meant to keep the overlay from sliding during a bout. It is sized to fit masks from roughly M through XL rather than being mask-specific.
Because this is an accessory rather than a certified mask, there is no independent Newton rating to quote - the 2mm plate and 5mm felt are the closest thing to a hard spec the listing offers, and we are passing those along as stated rather than verified.
Pair this with any of the 350N masks earlier in this list if your club's steel-sparring rules require back-of-head coverage but a full 1600N mask is not in the budget yet. It will not turn a 350N front mesh into a 1600N-rated mask - it only addresses the rear coverage gap.
- Rating:No independent Newton rating; this is an add-on layer, not a standalone certified mask
- Certification:Not applicable (accessory overlay)
- Type:Mask overlay for the rear of the head
- Compatible Masks:HEMA masks sized M to XL
- Back Protection:2mm PE plate plus 5mm felt cushion
- Weight:Not specified by manufacturer
- Best For:Upgrading a 350N mask's back-of-head coverage without buying a new mask
LEONARK 800N Hema Fencing Mask Overlay
LEONARK's overlay takes a fabric-first approach rather than the rigid-plate design of the FIGLON pick above: the listing specifies 800N fencing fabric layered over a 5mm cushion and a 2mm rubber plate, mounted onto an existing mask with an elastic belt underneath for stability.
Coverage extends past the back of the head down toward the shoulders, which the listing frames as protection against quick wear on the mask itself as well as impact absorption during bouts. A Velcro tab on the back is meant to make it easy to remove without unmounting the whole mask.
It is built as a uni-size overlay meant to fit most commonly used HEMA and fencing masks rather than a specific model, which makes it a flexible add-on for a club with a mix of mask brands already in circulation.
Consider this alongside the FIGLON overlay when a mask in your kit needs back-of-head coverage added. The fabric-and-cushion build here trades some rigidity for a softer, more flexible fit compared to the rigid-plate option - useful context when deciding which style suits your club's contact level.
- Rating:800N fencing fabric
- Certification:Not applicable (accessory overlay)
- Type:Mask overlay for occipital and shoulder coverage
- Fastening:Elastic belt plus Velcro tab
- Back Protection:800N fabric, 5mm cushion, 2mm rubber plate
- Weight:Not specified by manufacturer
- Best For:Shoulder and occipital protection during full-contact bouts
How to Choose a HEMA Fencing Mask: 350N vs 1600N Explained
HEMA borrowed its mask ratings from Olympic-style sport fencing, then largely outgrew them. Here is what the Research Desk thinks matters when picking a mask for Historical European Martial Arts specifically, as opposed to foil or epee.
The 350N Floor, and Where It Comes From
350N is the puncture-resistance rating carried by standard sport-fencing masks, tracing back to the CE EN 13567 lineage used in Olympic-style foil, epee, and saber. It measures how much force the mesh can absorb before a blade point punches through - fine for the thin, flexible blades used in sport fencing, and adequate for synthetic or nylon-blade HEMA sparring. It was never designed around the heavier strikes and thrusts a blunted steel longsword delivers, which is the gap most HEMA clubs run into once they move past drilling with wasters.
Why 1600N Became the De Facto HEMA Standard
1600N shows up repeatedly across the masks built specifically for HEMA rather than adapted from sport fencing, and it is roughly four and a half times the 350N floor. There is no single global body issuing this rating the way a federation certifies Olympic fencing gear - it is a manufacturer-stated figure that the HEMA community has converged on as a practical minimum for steel sparring. That is an important distinction: a 1600N mask on this list is not necessarily lab-certified to that number the way a CE-marked product is independently tested. Ask your club or event organizer what they actually require, and do not assume any single Newton figure automatically clears you to spar - check the specific event's rules.
Back-of-Head Protection and Mask Overlays
A mask's front-mesh rating tells you nothing about how well the back of the skull is covered, and several masks on this list - including some rated 350N and 1600N alike - ship with no rear coverage at all beyond an adjustment strap. Two fixes exist: buy a mask with a built-in padded neck bib, or add a separate overlay. Overlays range from rigid-plate designs (a PE or rubber plate under felt padding) to fabric-and-cushion builds rated in their own right, like the 800N option on this list. Neither type turns a 350N mask into a 1600N one - they only close the back-of-head gap, which matters in HEMA disciplines where strikes and grapples routinely land behind the ear line.
Steel vs. Synthetic: What Actually Changes
The material of the weapon changes what a mask needs to survive far more than most buyers expect. Synthetic and nylon-blade sparring, common in beginner classes, puts far less puncture and impact load on a mask than blunted steel does, which is why 350N masks remain reasonable for that context. Once steel enters a session - even blunted, tournament-legal steel - the force involved climbs sharply, and that is the point at which clubs typically require a 1600N mask, or a 350N mask paired with a back-of-head overlay, at minimum. If you are not sure which category your club's sessions fall into, ask before buying rather than after a bruised collarbone answers the question for you.
Sizing a Mask Correctly
Every rating on this list assumes the mask actually fits. Measure head circumference in centimeters with a soft tape measure and compare against the specific brand's own size chart rather than guessing from a t-shirt size or another brand's numbers - fencing and HEMA mask sizing is not standardized across manufacturers. A mask that shifts during a bout exposes gaps a correctly fitted mask of the same rating would not, which makes an ill-fitting 1600N mask potentially worse in practice than a snug 350N one.
Related Protective Gear
A fencing mask is one piece of a HEMA kit, not the whole thing. If you are also outfitting a club or building out sparring gear beyond the mask, our medieval helmet buying guide covers the closed-face steel options some HEMA and living-history groups use for demonstration and heavier-contact work, and our airsoft mask roundup is a useful cross-reference if you are comparing mesh-and-padding face protection standards across a completely different impact sport.
HEMA Fencing Mask Comparison
| Helmet | Rating | Back Protection | Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEONARK Armoury Hema Helmet 1600N | 1600N | Adjustable rear strap only, no rigid occipital plate | Not specified by manufacturer | Steel longsword sparring and coach-level drills |
| NORE YERZE Hema Mask 1600N | 1600N | Built-in padded neck bib, rivet-connected | Not specified by manufacturer | Longsword, saber, and rapier sparring |
| ASAki CE350N Hema Fencing Mask | 350N | None built in; the listing itself recommends a 1600N mask for hard steel sparring | Not specified by manufacturer | Synthetic and nylon-blade sparring, beginners |
| LEONARK Armoury AR7011 Coach Mask | 350N | None built in (fixed-back design) | Not specified by manufacturer | Daily coaching and drill sessions |
| LEONARK Fencing Epee Mask | 350N | None built in; pair with an overlay for HEMA use | Not specified by manufacturer | Foil/epee-style sparring and light HEMA drilling |
| NORE YERZE Hema Mask 700N | 700N | Built-in padded neck bib | Not specified by manufacturer | Bridging 350N synthetic sparring and full 1600N steel bouts |
| FIGLON ASAki Hema Mask Overlay (Long) | No independent Newton rating; this is an add-on layer, not a standalone certified mask | 2mm PE plate plus 5mm felt cushion | Not specified by manufacturer | Upgrading a 350N mask's back-of-head coverage without buying a new mask |
| LEONARK 800N Hema Fencing Mask Overlay | 800N fencing fabric | 800N fabric, 5mm cushion, 2mm rubber plate | Not specified by manufacturer | Shoulder and occipital protection during full-contact bouts |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 350N mask safe for HEMA sparring?
It depends entirely on what your training partner is holding. A 350N mask, inherited from sport fencing's CE EN 13567 lineage, is generally considered adequate for synthetic or nylon-blade sparring. Most clubs and tournaments that allow steel sparring ask for a 1600N-rated mask instead, or a 350N mask paired with a back-of-head protector and overlay. Check your specific club or event's equipment rules rather than assuming any single rating applies everywhere.
What does a mask's Newton rating actually measure?
It is a puncture-resistance figure, describing how much force the mesh can absorb before a blade point breaks through. Ratings like 350N, 700N, 1600N, and the fabric ratings used on some overlays come from the manufacturer's own testing or claims. Unlike a CE mark on many European safety products, there is no single independent HEMA body certifying these numbers the way a federation tests Olympic fencing gear, so treat manufacturer-stated Newton figures as a starting point for research, not a guarantee.
Do I need a separate back-of-head protector?
If your mask does not include one, and several masks in every rating tier on this list do not, then yes for most HEMA sparring. The front mesh rating says nothing about rear coverage. A mask overlay, either a rigid-plate design or a padded fabric build, closes that gap without requiring a full mask replacement. Whether you need one depends on your club's contact level and how strikes land in your specific discipline.
Can I use a fencing mask rated for foil or epee for HEMA?
Some masks marketed for foil or epee, like the LEONARK Epee Mask on this list, explicitly note they can also be used for longsword or HEMA training. Read that as suitable for light drilling with synthetic weapons, not as a substitute for a HEMA-specific 1600N mask once steel sparring is involved. The core rating (350N in that case) does not change just because the marketing mentions HEMA as a secondary use.
How do I know if a mask is legal for a specific HEMA tournament?
Ask the tournament organizer directly and read their published equipment rules before you register. Ratings on this list are useful for understanding relative protection levels, but no product here is described as universally tournament legal, because HEMA lacks one governing body setting that standard. A mask that one event accepts may not satisfy another's rules, particularly around back-of-head coverage and minimum Newton ratings.
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