What should I pack in my fencing bag for a tournament, and what do people usually forget?
Pack your full kit plus a spare of everything that breaks: the rules require you to arrive on the strip with two working weapons, two body cords and, in foil and sabre, two mask cords. The rest of the list is your mask with its back strap, jacket, underarm plastron, knickers, long socks that reach the knickers, a glove whose cuff covers about half your forearm, shoes, and a chest protector, which is required for women. Foil and sabre fencers add a lamé, and sabre needs an 800N glove at every level. Épée fencers need a mask without the conductive bib, because foil and sabre masks are not allowed in épée.
The things people forget are small. Spare tip screws and the tiny screwdriver or hex key that fits them, because a screw lost in warmups can stop your day. A second glove, so you have a dry one for direct elimination. Extra socks, hair elastics, and a mesh or plastic bag for wet kit on the way home. Your membership: you need a current USA Fencing membership to fence a sanctioned event, so check it the week before and have your membership card on your phone. For national events, your last name must be on the back of your jacket or lamé or on the thigh of your rear leg.
Then pack for a long day of waiting. Bring more water than you think, electrolytes, and real food rather than relying on the venue. Add a zip up warm layer and track pants you can pull on over shoes, slides for walking the hall, a phone charger or power bank, and a small pouch for keys, wallet and phone that goes with you from strip to strip. A basic first aid kit with bandages, athletic tape and blister care, any personal medication, and period products if you need them round it out. A folding chair is worth its space at big events.
The night before, lay everything out, test every weapon and body cord, tighten tip screws and grips, and look over the mask strap, glove and whites for holes. Spares only count if they work: a spare weapon that fails is the same as having none, and showing up without working spares earns a yellow card. Pack weapons in the bag, not loose in the car. If something still breaks on the day, the armory or a vendor can often help, but expect a line, so do not count on it.