Padded Stuff

What is the main purpose of the armor padding? Before the development of the metallurgical industry – that is, before people learned how to process steel – they covered their bodies with only quilted armor. Over time and with the development of the metal and armor manufacturing industry, armor padding began to be used in addition to the main armor because large steel plates on their own don’t guarantee that warriors won’t get a bruise or a fracture. In addition, padded armor allows one to lock steel armor in place with laces at convenient points on the body. In fact, many different armor pieces must be attached to quilted armor in order to function.
In the Middle Ages, people only used natural materials, such as wool or cotton. Natural fabrics are more breathable than synthetic, but they are also less durable. This is the reason we now use fabrics with a little addition of synthetics. This extends the life of your padded armor and makes your hobby less costly, since you don’t have to update your armor padding as often.

Liner, Padded Arming Coif and Padded Aventail
You need to wear a liner or padded arming coif under your helmet. Those two products are very similar, except for the fact that liners don’t usually protect your neck. A padded arming coif does, and you can cover it with an aventail crafted from metal plates or rings.
Both liners and padded arming coifs are usually sewn to the helmet, therefore if you are planning a laundry day, you will have to remove it. Sewing back to the helmet after washing requires tools and experience, but it is possible.
A padded aventail covers the neck and collarbones, is usually not sewn to the helmet, and can be used as a separate element.

Quilted Stockings
Quilted / Padded stockings, or, as they are also known, chausses, are the cloth under-armor you put on your leg. If you’re not participating in a buhurt, don’t use thick quilted stockings, because you are more likely to overheat.
You can order padded stockings of different thickness on our website. Usually, one layer of batting is enough for a duel. This will give you more mobility and you won’t be so hot.

Gambeson
A gambeson is the jacket you wear beneath your mail or plate armor (or, in some cases, you can wear it as armor by itself.) We can make you a gambeson, as well as the padded stockings, in different thickness by using one or two layers of 100% natural cotton sheet wadding.
On our website, you can find a wide range of various gambesons: less detailed ones for full-contact battles according to HMB and IMCF rulesets, as well as more expensive reconstructions that preserve all of the details of their historical counterparts. We have extensive experience in manufacturing gambesons, making them quickly and efficiently. The average production time for a gambeson is 2 – 4 weeks.
One final note on quilted armor; the elements that steel armor is fastened to are called arming points. These are reinforced areas where laces are sewn onto the quilted armor. On our site, you can order optional arming points for your quilted armor. This simplifies the attachment of steel armor and gets rid of the extra headache of adding them yourself.

Care
Another question that we often hear is whether you can wash quilted armor. The answer is “Yes, you can!” On Forge of Svan products, you will find tags with washing instructions and temperatures. Moreover, after prolonged and active use, we recommended that you wash your quilted armor because it is like a winter jacket that you wear in the summer and in which you actively play sports. Not washing your battle clothes means harming the people who are near you with your stench. Don’t be that guy or gal! Wash your padded armor regularly by following the recommended care instructions.

Your historical fencing or historical medieval battle kit starts with quilted armor, so don’t delay and order now!

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