Why do i need a fencing jacket?

A fencing jacket is made of specific puncture resistant fabric with a newton rating. They come in 350N and 800N. All tournaments require a 350N rated jacket but there are currently none that require 800N. The higher the N rating, the thicker and non breathable the jacket is going to be. There are a large variety of jackets on the market, some have more padding than others and some even have specific features. Its really comes down to personal preference after having the 350N rating. Here are a few manufactures of fencing jackets, keep in mind if ordering something custom or direct from manufacturer, it may take 4 - 6 months to get your order.