Beekeeping suit with fencing veil

01 · THE SIZE

It runs generous: between two sizes, take the smaller

The figures in the table are the suit's, not your body's, and they are indicative. Anyone coming from street-clothing sizes usually gets it right by going one size down, and slim builds sometimes two. It is the correction most often repeated by people who already own it.

02 · THE VEIL AND ITS STAY

The stay holds the veil away; without it the mesh comes onto your face

Every fencing veil we sell comes with a stay that fixes to the mesh with hook-and-loop, and it is the part that decides whether you work calmly: it holds the veil taut and clear, so it does not come onto your face when you bend over. Always fit it. With it in place the veil takes wind and visibility for reading frames is good. It unzips completely: you work without it during breaks and wash it separately, which is what you want because the mesh will not take the cotton wash temperature.

03 · FIELD DETAILS

YKK zips and ankles that open without taking your boots off

YKK® zips throughout, with ankle zips so you get in and out with your boots on — the detail you appreciate at the fourth hive. It has elastic at wrists, ankles and waist, a safety closure at the neck and pockets for the hive tool or your phone. A carry case is included. It is a single-layer suit: with very defensive colonies a thin layer underneath adds margin — none is entirely sting-proof.

04 · BEFORE YOU BUY

The real difference from the round-veil suit is the distance to your face: the fencing hood is close-fitting and works with its stay, while the round veil holds the mesh away with a rigid hoop and depends on nothing. If, with a beard or a strong jaw, the mesh still feels close even with the stay fitted, a peaked cap underneath adds clearance; and if you would rather not think about it, the round veil is your model.