Torso

To choose a torso armor, since it’s rigid and covers a fairly large area of your body, you should focus on picking the most comfortable option possible. Our cuirasses are adjusted with straps and buckles, which allow them to fit different body measurements. We also offer different sizes so you can choose the one that best matches your proportions.

The main difference between a cuirass and a breastplate is the coverage each one provides. A cuirass covers the full chest and the abdomen, while a breastplate covers only the chest. Choosing one or the other depends on the archetype you want to create for LARP combat, or for historical reenactment, film, theater, a photo shoot, and similar uses. Mobility and weight also matter. You’ll usually have more freedom of movement and a lighter setup with a breastplate than with a cuirass.

To wear any piece of metal armor as comfortably as possible, the ideal option is to wear a padded garment underneath called a gambeson. Besides adding protection, padded layers help the armor sit correctly and stay in place, which makes everything more comfortable.

Gambeson pieces, like armor, are available in separate parts. The largest piece is called a gambeson and it covers the entire torso and arms. It can also be longer to protect the thighs, or shorter to reach only the waist. If you’re wearing only a few armor pieces, you can still protect the areas those pieces cover. In those cases, there are padded arm wraps for vambraces, padded leg wraps for greaves, a padded gorget if you’re wearing a gorget, and even padded gloves for gauntlets. If you’re wearing a helmet, it’s also very convenient to use a padded arming cap, which protects the head and helps the helmet fit more securely.

Even though these are rigid pieces, armor should be protected from impacts during storage and transport because it can bend or deform. You can prevent this by wrapping it in protective packing material. After each use and before storing it, the armor should be treated with an anti-corrosion protective oil to prevent rust. Once it’s fully coated, it should be wrapped in protective plastic, which helps keep oxygen from reaching the metal and keeps the oil effective for longer. For that reason, before wearing it again, it’s recommended to wipe off any remaining oil with a cloth or paper to avoid staining other parts of your outfit. If you follow these steps, your armor will stay in excellent condition for a long time.

If you want to complete your armor with a torso piece, there are a few factors to consider. Torso armor can cover only the chest, or it can be larger and protect the abdomen as well. The larger it is, the more it can limit mobility, but the coverage will be greater. A torso armor piece can also be combined with a backplate using straps, and you can expand the set with tassets that protect the thighs.

It’s worth noting that some cuirasses can only be worn on their own and can’t be paired with a backplate because they use special straps, while others are designed to be worn together with a backplate. Also, if you want to add pauldrons to your outfit, some cuirasses have the right straps for that and others don’t, and pauldrons should be worn together with a gorget.

Keep in mind that some cuirasses and torso armor pieces come in sizes, so it’s important to choose the best fit before buying. You should also consider what you’ll wear under the armor, since padded gambeson layers can increase the size you normally wear.