The Armour Archive

Has anyone used Hockey shin or knee guards or anything else of the kind? how well do they work? do they stand up to the abuse of the SCA?

They should hold up fairly well. I know people who have modified catchers leggings and they've held up for years.

Catcher's legs were my first legs and remain in my kit as a backup. I just had to add a plastic plate on either side of the knee to make them SCA legal, and I've never had a problem with them. Remarkably comfortable, and you barely feel even direct hits.

I too bought a new pair of catchers knees (size 17) on sale for 20 blucks. I removed the shin guards as I didn't want them and so far they have held up great and are very conformatble, especially when dropping to the ground. I wear them under my fighting pants and so they are disguised.

I bought them for two reasons... cheap and fast. I've been very pleased with their performance. I've taken direct shots on the knee and they are bulletproof.

I have been using a Hockey Girdle for thigh protection and then i attached some motocross knee and shin guards for the knee protection. I had to add some leather to the sides of the knees to make them legal, but its not a huge ordeal. Everything stays in one piece on and off, is very low profile, and is incredibly comfortable allowing for great protection and total freedom of movement. The hockey girdles even have build in cups as well as tailbone plates if you get a decent one.

My girdle ran about $45 bucks and the knee and shin guards were $16. Add some 550 cord and eyelets to keep everything together and a few pieces of hard leather or plastic... then of course add your period pants or whatever to make sure nothing is visible on the field.

Hockey Girdle: http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/descpage-TXDG.html
Knee Guards: http://www.motorhelmets.com/htm-apparel ... reflex.htm

(those are not the same knee guards i use but they are all pretty similar and available at most atv shops)

Yourgi

I picked up a set of used (almost new) hockey knee and shin guards from Goodwill - they work great. They have plenty of protection around the knee. Some of the guys in our group bought them as well, but they added some heavy weight leather to protect the sides of the knees. Great mobility, lightweight, easy drop to knees and recover easily. I love them for hidden armor.

Tgimbert