This is a maker of sporting gear for a variety of things, like MMA, Boxing, etc, and they now have a HEMA/WMA line. Not all of it is real exciting, but there a few exceptions.
http://www.afinternationalsporting.com/shop.php/cPath/8?osCsid=8cdoq7ehcdvb5inc0b74f435b0The mask with integrated protection for the back of the head is a pretty decent deal. $109 for the whole helmet. This is particularly true when you consider that one of the main comparable alternatives right now is the protector add-on from
Purple Heart, which is $84 without the mask. If you already have a mask that fits well, Purple Heart's may be the better deal, but if you need a mask, you can get one with the protector built in from Absolute.
But Absolute is also making HEMA hand protection, and this has the whole community very excited. They had a prototype at Longpoint and were getting some final comments from the community. Supposedly they'll be out around the end of the summer. They'll probably be a little pricey, but the current equivalent is over $200 and has international shipping. These should greatly reduce the lost fingernails and the like, since they're designed with sword impacts in mind. VAF and some of the other local schools are going to start highly recommending these to their students. I'll probably post again when I see them up for sale, as I intend to get a pair.
