I’ve been looking at the Rearguard project since it first came out with a lot of interest. While we do have usable masks for HEMA in the 1600N fencing masks, they leave a lot to be desired, and so far, only a few good attempts have been made. There’s the Lajolo Air mask, which seems to be very good, but is also quite pricy. And then we have a few attempts that weren’t so successful, with reinforcing bars and such.

Here’s the main issue I have with 1600N fencing masks in general: they are not padded enough. They were made for a sport that is tangent to HEMA, but nowhere close in force applied, so that is understandable. With almost all masks, though, there is a spot that, if hit, will make your head ring. Usually, it’s right where a well-placed Zwerch lands, and it is a bitch when you get it.

Front comparison, from the left: PBT, Rearguard, Allstar

Now, let’s talk about Rearguard. For full disclosure, I got a mask free of charge (except for the import stuff), but as always, I will do my best to be as neutral as I can. First thing that you will notice is that it’s elongated towards the back and has the upper part of the skull covered. This is a nice little touch, but it’s really not that big of an imporvement over the regular mask itself. However, it does open a lot of important options going further: most of all, it allows for nape protectors that don’t have to cover the top of the head, thus leaving more room for ventilation. Second, it provides some extra structural stability to the mask itself.

Profile comparison, from the left: Rearguard, PBT, Allstar

However, what really sold me on this mask, and why it will now be my go-to recommendation for a HEMA mask, is the padding. It feels a lot more comfortable and a lot more absorbant than my Allstar mask, and Allstar has so far been the best in my experience. The sides of the head actually feel cushioned, and strikes are noticeably more comfortable to receive than with a regular mask. They still aren’t quite as comfortable to receive as they are with my scrum cap + Allstar mask combo, except where it comes to the Zwerchau spot on the sides of the mask. That being said, if I put my scrum cap and Rearguard on, it is a better combo still. One more thing to note is that the Rearguard uses removable lining by default, which is also a nice perk, and might hint to possible upgrades in the future. Also of note is that the extra padding makes the mask a bit snugger. It is not such a difference that you’d need to consider a different size, but might be an important piece of information if you are between sizes.