So I thought perhaps I should share what you are required to wear and what is optional to fight Heavy Weapons. It is interesting to note some things that are NOT required to fight someone.

First thing you have to have is a helm to protect your head. The minimum gauge is 16 but no one really fights in 16. Most people fight 14 and 12 is not uncommon either. You don't want to go heavier than 12 though because you won't be able to move your head to fight. Padding inside the helm is a must to protect your head from the helm as well. A heavy metal object bouncing on your head is not fun. How much padding is pretty much up to the individual, although minimum is 1/2 inch closed cell foam. Most people actually use more than that. The better the helm fits your head, the easier to move in it and see to hit your opponent. Also the helm must have a chin strap to keep it on securely and no gaps in the front can be more than 2 inces. This is so the "blades" don't get in and hit you in the face. Also glass glasses are not allowed.

Second neck armor is required to protect the throat and back of neck. This does have to wrap around the neck and must be rigid to protect well. It also has to fit under the helm bottom and you want to make sure it doesn't strangle you while on. If you can't breath you can't fight.

Third is body, shoulder, and groin. Groin is required for both men and women, although women can wear heavy closed-cell foam over their pubic bone. Male groin armor is not allowed for women. Body armor is kidney and short rib area.

Fourth is hand and wrist armor. To protect the wrist you must have padding 1 inch past the wrist. This is easily accomplished with ice hockey gloves since they are longer and have enough padding. Street hockey gloves do not protect the wrist and if they are used, wrist protection must be worn with them.

Fifth is elbow and knee padding. The elbow point and bone must be fully protected at all times. Shields are not considered armor for the shield arm since they protect farther away. Kneecap must be protected with armor as well as 1 inch above and below this point.

And that is it. The rest is optional, although most people do wear more. Full chest armor is not required although no one I know fights without it. Chest shots are common and even through the armor can hurt or at least knock the wind out of you while fighting. Arms and legs do not have to be covered, but, again, the shots there can hurt and the majority of fighters wear armor in those places.