All Star FIE 1600N HEMA Mask Review

For many months now I've been contemplating buying a new mask for longsword. Previously I had used the Absolute Force basic mask and for the most part, it did the trick. But it never quite fit properly, so I took the plunge and bought myself the All Star 1600N coach mask.

First Impressions 

So straight out of the box, the mask looked and felt great. The fit was leagues better than the AF, fitting much tighter around the head. The bib and lining were a bit stiff but that softened up literally after the first session. So far so good.

Construction and Comfort 

Upgrading from a 350N to a 1600N mask certainly made a difference, at least that's how I feel. Perhaps it was simply a change in branding, All Star are known for making top tier masks. The mesh seemed sturdier and the lining was comfortable.

The mask itself was a much tighter fit, it felt secure around the head. It's honestly what I'd hoped for, my previous mask was far too large which led to it rattling around to some degree while sparring. This is absolutely not the case for the All Star.

How does it hold up in sparring?

Absolute Force Mask - 1.5 Years

Very well. In the past week, we have had two incidence of 'waffling' occurring with other masks during sparring. Waffling is when a mask is hit with a forceful attack which pushes the mesh into the fencer's head, leaving an imprint on the forehead. Suffice it to say, this is not a common occurrence in our club, nor is it common in any other club that I know of.

I myself have had suffered from waffling from my previous mask during a tournament. Perhaps not so much a safety issue than an embarrassing one. Admittedly I have not had the All Star for long enough to make a fair assessment on this topic but because of the tighter fit, I'm confident that waffling is a thing of the past for me.

Issues

After about a week of use, the All Star has weathered quite badly it seems. For comparison, my AF mask on the right with about a year and a half of use vs my All Star mask below with about a week of use.

All Star 1600N - 1 Week

There's also a dent on the front of the mask which concerns me a little. Paint scratches are one thing. They don't compromise the structure of the mask. I also plan to paint the mask later. In All Star's defence, the dent is in the structurally weakest point, a point which the AF does not have. But a dent, even a minor one, from the first week of use isn't a good sign. 

Conclusion

Is the All Star worth buying? To be honest, it's still too early for me to make that kind of judgement. However, as it stands, I do like this mask despite how little time it took to dent. It fits very well and most importantly, I feel safer in it. People in my club swear by this mask. 

All Star Profile Dent