Gear Review: Akado Armory's Heavy Fencing Gi, Ishidora

In Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), there are certain protective gear items that we technically aren't allowed to compete without. Fencing masks of a certain grading, protective gloves that vary depending on what weapon you compete with, and the topic of today's post: the jacket. 

Close up shot of myself wearing my custom Ishidora. 

There are your tried and true brands like Red Dragon, Superior Fencing, and Spes, but today I wanted to focus on a relatively new kid on the block: Akado Armory. Their website for purchasing gear has not been active for long (less than a year as I am typing this) but their quality, customer service, and overall designs have more than impressed this seven year competitive fighter. 

HEMA jackets, or steel fencing jackets in general, tend to come in two gradings: 350N and 800N. 350N tend to be lighter and more maneuverable than their 800N counterpart which doubles down on fabric to give more protection overall. From Akado I purchased the Ishidora: 800N Heavy Fencing Gi custom based on my previous experience with jackets. I've worn a 350N pierce resistant coaching jacket from Absolute Fencing(strictly for rapier and smallsword), a heavily padded but extremely breathable Gambeson from Uketyshop exclusively on Etsy, and an 800N Heavy Sparring jacket from Neyman Fencing, a company that no longer exists.The Neyman was my typical jacket choice for most events/competitions. 

After spending a few days sparring, taking hits, and in general putting the jacket through the ringer, I can state without hesitation that it is my favorite fencing jacket now. Maintaining its 800N grading, it feels as maneuverable and light as its 350N counterpart. Tanks hits from steel Longword to Polypropylene Lightsaber (Saber Legion this jacket counts as protective gear for you as well) blades without issue while allowing the wearer to feel less then minimal impact on their actual body. Lastly, it is a bit more breathable then fencing jackets I've worn in the past. Stifling heat in our fencing gear will always get to the wearer, make no mistake, but the inner material of the jacket does an excellent job of absorbing any excess sweat from the wearer so that the removal process isn't as tedious. 

Full body picture of myself in the Ishidora with Spadroon in hand. 

Design wise, it looks like an exact recreation of a traditional Japanese Samurai's Gi. The cross stitching throughout the jacket, the tied belt loops in the front, even the stylized flair at the bottom tip of the zippered portion of the jacket gives off a unique flair and style that the steel fencing community has not seen before, and I feel like it is a welcome alternative option while providing the same quality and protection as some of our well known heavy hitters. 

Lastly, as a big fighter with broad shoulders and a wide chest I have always had to get things in a custom design or custom sizing, because traditionally my size is not carried as a standard jacket size in every store I have visited, and because of this I always have to pay beyond the standard listed price. Akado Armory under the standard sizes for the Ishidora go from 2xs to 3xl, the sizing on the bigger side hitting 62 inches across in both chest and waist girth. That alone is worth the price for us bigger fighters who want to keep enjoying these phenomenal sports. 

Link for the Ishidora gi is listed below. 

https://www.akadoarmory.com/product/heavy-armor-fencing-gi/