The Leather Armor Guide to Styles, Weight, Options, and Fit
The Leather Armor Guide to Styles, Weight, Options, and Fit .The history of leather clothing can be found all the way back to the beginning of written history. Leather Armour is among the oldest and most durable types of protective leather clothing.
A piece of clothing known as leather Armour serves as protection from harm. In the past, these clothes were used to shield knights and troops from harm during combat, either on their own or behind metal Armour. Today, leather Armour is made and worn by enthusiasts and artisans who work with dangerous materials.
What is Leather Armor
Leather armor is a type of protective clothing made from tanned animal hides, typically from cows or sheep. It has been used for thousands of years as a form of personal protection, and it is still used today in various contexts, such as in some types of sports, historical reenactments, and cosplay.
Leather armor typically consists of several pieces, such as a chest plate, bracers, graves, and sometimes a helmet. The leather is often reinforced with metal studs or plates to provide additional protection, and it may also be treated with oils or waxes to make it more resistant to moisture and wear.
While leather armor is not as effective as some other types of armor, such as metal plate armor, it is lighter and more flexible, which can make it more comfortable to wear for extended periods. It also has a distinctive look that many people find appealing, which has helped to make it a popular choice for historical and fantasy-inspired costumes.
What to Look for In Leather Armor
Design
Your preferred style of leather Armour largely depends on your body type and personal preferences. As leather Armour is so old, there are a plethora of designs to pick from. Traditional Medieval, Roman, or Celtic armor are options for anyone seeking historically accurate, truly protective armor. For cos players, the design of their armor will be influenced by video games, movies, or other staples of popular culture.
Weight
Leather armor should be a specific weight depending on what part of the armor it is. While thicker armor is necessary for the core to protect organs, medium-weight armor works best for limbs to allow for unrestricted movement. For comfort and we arability, cosplay, costume, or TARP armor is typically lighter than replica armor.
Size
If you want to buy, commission, or make your own leather armor, you’ll need your dimensions so that it fits you properly. A nice advice on how to measure for armor is provided by the merchant By the Sword.
Battle Readiness
Anyone taking part in reenactments should consider how battle-ready leather armor is. The armor ought to be battle-ready if it is created with historically correct materials, methods, and equipment. Rugged and extremely protective leather will be thick, layered, and studded with metal. It is not necessary for leather armor intended for cosplay or costumes to be battle-ready.
how to clean leather Armor
Cleaning leather armor requires care and attention to ensure that it is not damaged during the process. Here are some general steps to follow when cleaning leather armor:
Remove any loose dirt or debris from the leather using a soft brush or cloth.
Mix a small amount of mild soap, such as castle soap, with warm water in a bowl. Dip a clean, soft cloth into the soapy water and wring out any excess liquid.
Gently wipe down the leather armor with the soapy cloth, taking care to avoid any metal studs or plates. Be sure to clean all areas of the armor, including any creases or folds.
Rinse the cloth in clean water and wring out any excess liquid. Use the damp cloth to wipe away any soap residue from the leather.
Allow the leather armor to air dry in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
Once the leather armor is dry, you can apply a leather conditioner to help keep it supple and prevent it from cracking. Apply a small amount of conditioner to a soft cloth and rub it into the leather, taking care to cover all areas of the armor.
Allow the conditioner to absorb into the leather for a few minutes, then wipe away any excess with a clean, dry cloth.
It is important to note that some types of leather armor may require specialized cleaning products or techniques, depending on the type and condition of the leather. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions or consult with a professional cleaner if you are unsure how to clean your leather armor.
Types of Leather Armor
Since people have needed clothes and protection, leather armor has existed. Leather armor has a lengthy history and may be found in many styles for a variety of uses, from costumes for fun to combat gear..
Studded Leather Armor
Armor with studs is constructed of layers of tough leather that are stitched together. For further protection, this armor is also covered in studs. These outfits are preferred by cos players and Carpers as a middle ground between leather and metal armor.
There is no proof that leather armor with studs ever existed. There was no armor made of metal studs; nevertheless, some types of armor, known as brigantine, used metal studs to hold metal plates in place between layers of leather. Given that a well-placed sword or wayward arrow could puncture through the leather between the studs, leather armor with studs on it would really be fairly ineffective. Heavy studs would also stress the leather and add unneeded weight, which would eventually result in a twisted, subpar product.
Female Leather Armor
Feminine armor is merely leather armor designed specifically for ladies. Female leather armor will likely be more form-fitting and thinner than male leather armor, as is the case with the majority of other gender-specific clothing. For this reason, female buyers of armor will need to give their dimensions more thought than male buyers would.
Whether female armor is based on imagination or truth largely determines how it looks and how historically accurate it is. Some varieties of fantasy armor will resemble corsets or have shaping that resembles a bra; this is not just historically incorrect but also perilous. Although female leather armor was historically uncommon, it was made similarly to male armor to support and protect the wearer’s rib cage and chest.
Leather Graves
Greaves are a type of leg armor that shields the knee and shin. Since the shin bone is one of the human body’s closest to the skin, it is susceptible to injury, bruising, and breaking. Greaves guard against losing the wearer’s ability to walk by protecting this delicate bone. This armor is made of leather, which softens and deflects strikes and guards against cuts and scrapes.
Historical Leather Armor
In the beginning, leather was the most common material for armor. Whether worn alone or with chain mail, leather armor was common among early troops. Eventually, leather armor would be worn in addition to plate armor in places like the elbows and knees where metal plate armor was impractical. On occasion, leather might be used in place of chain mail as an additional layer of protection around the neck and face. Although a full suit of armor was rarely made out of leather, it has been utilized historically to offer warmth and light protection on a daily basis. In addition to the predominantly leather armor used during combat, brigantine-style metal plates were fastened in between the layers of leather.
Leather Armor for Cosplay
It’s crucial to identify cosplay leather armor from replica leather armor. Cosplay armor is typically designed with good appearance and comfort in mind rather than practicality and historical authenticity. For this reason, faux leather or even plastic that has been wrapped in either genuine or faux leather may be used to create leather-like cosplay armor. Leather armor worn for cosplay typically has no purpose.
Boiled Leather Armor
A significant development in the field of leather armor was boiled armor. In the Medieval Ages, boiled leather was a common material used for durable products that could endure severe usage. In terms of armor, boiled leather made regular leather armor a competitive alternative to chain mail.
The process of making boiled leather involved processing the leather by immersing it in extremely hot water and coating it with a waxy, fatty material. Though various recipes have been located and translated, the majority of them conflict, therefore historians are unable to determine exactly how boiling leather was created.
Leather Body Armor
Several men wore leather body armor for their torsos during the Middle Ages. Body armor shields the abdomen’s soft tissue and essential organs from harm during combat or hunting.
Leather Armor Vest
A leather armor vest can only protect the wearer’s body. For further protection, a leather armor vest may be metal-studded. The majority of torso armor offers greater protection than conventional armor to safeguard crucial organs. A leather armor vest will therefore likely be much thicker and heavier than other leather armor from the same set.
Medieval Leather Armor
Leather armor reached its height during the Middle Ages. Leather armor evolved at this period from basic leather clothing to leather and metal plate and boiled leather. Leather armor from the Middle Ages was used underneath chain mail or in addition to plate metal armor.
Functional Leather Armor
Practical leather armor is armor that is constructed to military standards for use in combat. As a result, this armor was created using tools and methods that would hold up in a combat. Effective leather armor is made up of multiple layers that are glued together and, most likely, entirely or at least partially studded with metal for increased protection.
Custom Leather Armor
While it may cost you a hefty fortune, you can get personalize leather armor from specialty stores or leather craftsmen. By the Sword, a retailer of replica clothes, sells fully customized leather armor produced to the customer’s exact dimensions for a range of costs; as a point of comparison, their ready-made full-suit leather armors start at about $1000.
Leather Armor Suit
All the parts of armour will be a leather suit. The complete suit will have armor for the hands, face, and head in addition to covering the arms, legs, and torso.
RFB Viking Leather Armour
Collectors and reenactors love the Ready for Battle (RFB) leather Viking armour. Heavy woven leather is used in the construction of RFB Viking armour, and it may also use brigandine techniques, which add an additional layer of protection by using metal plates.
Viking armour is frequently designed to withstand rigorous, heavy use and is extremely adaptable to blend in with any additional armour or other gear. Since the torso is the most important and vulnerable area of the body, Viking armour gave priority to protecting it.
LARP Female Leather Armor
LARP armour sits in the between of cosplay and replica armour. Although it may or may not be manufactured using historically accurate methods or equipment, this kind of armour is designed to be practical for recreational “battles.” Women’s LARP leather armour is probably tightly fitted and influenced by video games, movies, or other popular culture.
Fancy Leather Armor
Richly decorated armour is fancy leather armour. Metal studs, plates, embossing, embroidery, and hand tooling are all examples of embellishment.
Where to Buy Leather Armor
Medievalarmour.com
The leather selection at Medieval Armour is among the greatest available, even going so far as to describe pieces for those who are just getting started. They sell armor that is both historically accurate and fantasy-inspired, and their costs are very affordable full set of armor costs about $500.
Medievalcollectibles.com
With armor sets available for extremely affordable costs, the variety of medieval collectibles is practically equal to that of medieval armor. The main distinction is that this website priorities historical accuracy.
Easy
Etsy is a haven for artists, particularly those who produce intricate, skilled work. Leather armour pieces and complete outfits are available from leathercrafters on Etsy, however they are fairly expensive, as with other vendors. Etsy is a great source of costume leather armour.
Andracor
Andracor promotes themselves as a supplier of TARP equipment. They sell historically authentic and pop culture-inspired genuine leather armor and protective gear for incredibly low prices. Also, their website features models of several genders showcasing the same product, which is a huge advantage for any Carper or cos player.
Armor Venue
The variety at Armor Venue is wide-ranging and reasonably priced. Their pieces span the history of armor and are definitely of great quality.
Steel Mastery
The website for Steel Mastery is easy to use and stylish. They have a huge range, including fantasy and historical armor Considering the attention to detail and care they put into each piece, their prices are relatively exorbitant.
Amazon
For cos players in particular, Amazon is a fantastic source for faux leather merchandise. Some leather armor-inspired clothing can be bought here, however there are just a few pieces of leather armor available on Amazon.