Getting Started with Building Your Own Boffer Equipment
Dear Boffer Families, Foam Fighters, and Friends,
It continues to be our pleasure to bring the excitement of boffer sport to you and your families. Over the past year and a half, we’ve been gathering resources to help you develop your own foam-crafting (or foamsmithing) skills.
In this post, we’re sharing a YouTube channel that provides excellent beginner-friendly tutorials to help you get started:
👉 Boffer Basics on YouTube
Foamsmithing, like any craft, takes time and practice to master. There’s a wealth of knowledge out there in the foam fighting community, but to help you begin safely, please keep in mind the following minimum standards for youth boffer swords:
Minimum Safety Standards for Boffer Swords
Weight: No more than 14 oz
Style: Must be built in the bat (omni) style — flat blade boffers are not used for youth
Diameter: At least 2.5 inches across
Pommel: Foam-padded pommel with a diameter of at least 1.5 inches
Padding: At least half of the sword’s total length must be padded
Maximum Length: 38 inches
Minimum Length: 23 inches
These guidelines ensure that all homemade equipment remains safe, fun, and consistent with the standards we use in our activities. Personal boffer swords are subject to a weapons check to ensure standards are met and equipment is safe for use.
We look forward to seeing the creativity and craftsmanship of our community grow as you try your hand at building your own gear!
Stay Bold,
American Boffer
