The Armour Archive

What does everyone use for the base layers? I'm trying to build a 12th century kit and have it look as historical as possible, I'm also trying to avoid plastic and modern clothing. I've got hidden legs/CoP and it seems like I should have something under them and I'm not sure what. Loose fitting fighter pants/shorts? A fairly form fitting T-Tunic on top? Or just realize this is our sport and we're not historical anyway and wear some under armor? Added to confusion is there isn't a period practice for this because I would not have worn hidden legs - but that a whole other anachronism.

I have a cheating layer of hexpads closest to my skin.

Above that, however, I wear a simple soft kit : braes, hosen, and a split tunic. These completely cover my modern pads, and armor goes on top of that.

I just wear a lightly padded gambeson and tunic under my lamellar.

Should have added: The gambeson is linen shell with wool batting and the tunic is linen also.

https://plus.google.com/photos/11205455 ... psrc=pwrd1

Linen, its tough and it breathes well.

Simple linen shirt and braes, toss in some chausses (hose) . . . you get the idea.

What Fred said.

Linen undertunic.
I uses to wear Under Armour, and loved it. Someone made a joke about it at the Warriors of History tourney, and I took the challenge and switched. I thought "but it's too expensive"... and then thought about it. Each of my UA shirts (long sleeve) cost $45... the linen for the under tunic cost about $16... and it really lasts.
Then I wore it to fight in... and have never looked back. It feels so much better, and wicks away sweat at an amazing rate.

For just a textile armour alone or with mail I tend to use a heavier aketon. Once you start getting mail and plate or full plate less so.

I also think that a persons body type may play a part as well. I am a rather thin gentleman but I had a friend who was 6'3" or so at 150-55. Just wearing the armour gave him armour rashes. So heavier padding for him especially at the shoulders.

Just depends. I have been messing around with textile armours for years and honestly think this is where people should start for 12th century mainstream europe with their kits. I am in the middle of redoing my entire harness and with it a new aketon set specifically for what I am doing.

Good luck!

RPM

Hose, braes, linen undertunic.

I wear padded under armour (I forget the brand) and sweat pants. But considering I wear a tunic and pants over all my armour, I don't see it mattering much.

I wear a lightly padded linen tunic and love it. I also were compression shorts because they are the only thing that keeps me from chaffing.