Padded Arms, Legs, Hands and Belt
More info about Arms, Legs, Gauntlets
Wearing padding on your arms and legs prevents pinching and chafing from greaves and armguards; as well as distributing the pressure from straps and armour, it also makes the armour more comfortable to wear when running, crouching or fighting for long periods of time. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in your character for longer without having to worry about constantly readjusting every part. It’s also very useful if you’re wearing chainmail, as it reduces pressure on your arms and shins.
Your hands take constant knocks during battle, and hard gauntlets can make this worse, so the ideal solution is to have some light padding to help protect your knuckles and wrists. The mobility of your fingers and hands remains unaffected. This helps you maintain your grip strength in the heat of battle and is very useful if you’re handling props, straps or equipment whilst role-playing.
A good padded belt protects against pinching and distributes the weight of the various items you carry for hours without spoiling the experience. What’s more, if the belt is secure, it helps keep your outfit more compact, and you’ll notice less slipping and a reduced need to tighten or readjust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need padding if I’m already wearing a gambeson?
In most cases, yes. Straps and armour edges are usually positioned at key points such as the joints, so the extra padding reduces chafing on wrists, shins and hips. You’ll notice this extra padding most during long events or those involving a lot of movement.
Will the padding make my kit look too bulky?
If you choose carefully where and how thick you want the padding, your kit won’t look bulky. We recommend adding padding only where you have pressure points or where you feel chafing or pinching; if you keep the layers of your kit organised, you’ll look great whilst improving mobility and comfort.
What should I buy first if I always end up in pain?
Start with whatever is most uncomfortable for you: your wrists under the arm guards, your shins with the greaves, or your hips from the belt. Fixing a single point of discomfort can make all the difference to your whole day. Then, add the next piece once you’re clear on what has worked for you.
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