Gambeson Quest.

[Das Bill]

I may eventually pick one of those up to use in WMA class at a later date but probably not for wearing under the haubergeon because I suspect they use synthetic fill material for the padding which doesn’t breath well at all.

If I may, I don't recommend the MRL gambeson if you want to use it for Western Martial Arts. I used to own one, and it is fine for costume, but it's literally about as protective as a heavy sweater. It is also cut like a t-shirt, and since the material doesn't stretch like a t-shirt, it heavily restricts your movement. It is very hot due to the nylon fibers. You're better off with a cheap $50 fencing jacket than one of those, as it will at least protect you against knicks and burrs. I also used to use mine under my plate harness, and it is close to worthless for that purpose; I couldn't lift my arms high enough to take any of the upper guards.

While I haven't seen the Steel Mastery one in person, I suspect it will be a much better one for WMA usage. It looks like it will have some problems, but not as bad as the MRL one did for me.

[Sir Ulrich]

http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-5478-warriors-medieval-gambeson.aspx
Thats the gambeson I got, I would've gotten the GDFB one but it was too large for me and this one seems to be almost the same. I don't recommend the MRL ones as they're basically useless for combat and more for costuming. Thats why I bought a new gambeson to replace my robin hood one.

[Sir Brian]

I may eventually pick one of those up to use in WMA class at a later date but probably not for wearing under the haubergeon because I suspect they use synthetic fill material for the padding which doesn’t breath well at all.

If I may, I don't recommend the MRL gambeson if you want to use it for Western Martial Arts. I used to own one, and it is fine for costume, but it's literally about as protective as a heavy sweater. It is also cut like a t-shirt, and since the material doesn't stretch like a t-shirt, it heavily restricts your movement. It is very hot due to the nylon fibers. You're better off with a cheap $50 fencing jacket than one of those, as it will at least protect you against knicks and burrs. I also used to use mine under my plate harness, and it is close to worthless for that purpose; I couldn't lift my arms high enough to take any of the upper guards.

While I haven't seen the Steel Mastery one in person, I suspect it will be a much better one for WMA usage. It looks like it will have some problems, but not as bad as the MRL one did for me.

Thanks for the insight Bill! I will will have to be content for the time being with my KOH gambeson for WMA, (it just looks like hell from the armor stains) 

http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-5478-warriors-medieval-gambeson.aspx
Thats the gambeson I got, I would've gotten the GDFB one but it was too large for me and this one seems to be almost the same. I don't recommend the MRL ones as they're basically useless for combat and more for costuming. Thats why I bought a new gambeson to replace my robin hood one.

Sir Ulrich
Thanks for the link! That is certainly reasonable and looks like it would be adequate padding, but according to their sizing even their XXL would be a little tight and too short in the sleeves! Too bad they don’t offer them in a 3XL or otherwise known as quasi-behemoth size.

[Sir Patrick]

Too bad they don’t offer them in a 3XL or otherwise known as quasi-behemoth size.

Wow, you must be ripped, Sir Brian!

[Sir James A]

http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-5478-warriors-medieval-gambeson.aspx
Thats the gambeson I got, I would've gotten the GDFB one but it was too large for me and this one seems to be almost the same. I don't recommend the MRL ones as they're basically useless for combat and more for costuming. Thats why I bought a new gambeson to replace my robin hood one.

Sir Ulrich
Thanks for the link! That is certainly reasonable and looks like it would be adequate padding, but according to their sizing even their XXL would be a little tight and too short in the sleeves! Too bad they don’t offer them in a 3XL or otherwise known as quasi-behemoth size.

I have a similar problem ... they don't offer them with a 40" waist and a 36" chest. Apparently I'm built upside-down.

[Sir Brian]

Too bad they don’t offer them in a 3XL or otherwise known as quasi-behemoth size.

Wow, you must be ripped, Sir Brian!

Yeah I'm still in shape...In my youth I was round, in my teens and twenties I was triangular,  in my early forties I went back to round and now I'm just rectangular!   

[Sir Edward]

I have a similar problem ... they don't offer them with a 40" waist and a 36" chest. Apparently I'm built upside-down.

So, an inverted triangle then? Thankfully my waist is still smaller than my chest, but my gambeson has gotten slightly snug in the mid-section.

It's funny, with a lot of garb out there, you can run into fitting problems if you're actually in shape. Most manufacturers these days assume a little extra slack is needed in the mid-section. But of course, if you're anywhere over that, you'll have issues too. It'll never be tailored to you if it's off the shelf.

That reminds me. I need to get in shape.

[Sir Wolf]

hehehe was that your resolution the other night?

[Sir Edward]

hehehe was that your resolution the other night?

Resolution? My resolution is 2560x1600.

[Sir Brian]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7H2HStmMnE[/youtube] 

[Sir William]

http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-5478-warriors-medieval-gambeson.aspx
Thats the gambeson I got, I would've gotten the GDFB one but it was too large for me and this one seems to be almost the same. I don't recommend the MRL ones as they're basically useless for combat and more for costuming. Thats why I bought a new gambeson to replace my robin hood one.

Sir Ulrich
Thanks for the link! That is certainly reasonable and looks like it would be adequate padding, but according to their sizing even their XXL would be a little tight and too short in the sleeves! Too bad they don’t offer them in a 3XL or otherwise known as quasi-behemoth size.

I have a similar problem ... they don't offer them with a 40" waist and a 36" chest. Apparently I'm built upside-down.

My biggest problem has always been that most things medieval are sized exactly like that...I asked, because I have a 38" chest and a 32" waist but anything for my chest is usually 'waisted' for someone with a 40" or better waist...

[Sir Ulrich]

http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-5478-warriors-medieval-gambeson.aspx
Thats the gambeson I got, I would've gotten the GDFB one but it was too large for me and this one seems to be almost the same. I don't recommend the MRL ones as they're basically useless for combat and more for costuming. Thats why I bought a new gambeson to replace my robin hood one.

Sir Ulrich
Thanks for the link! That is certainly reasonable and looks like it would be adequate padding, but according to their sizing even their XXL would be a little tight and too short in the sleeves! Too bad they don’t offer them in a 3XL or otherwise known as quasi-behemoth size.

I have a similar problem ... they don't offer them with a 40" waist and a 36" chest. Apparently I'm built upside-down.

My biggest problem has always been that most things medieval are sized exactly like that...I asked, because I have a 38" chest and a 32" waist but anything for my chest is usually 'waisted' for someone with a 40" or better waist...

I got a 29-30 inch waist and a 32 inch chest (without my shoulders) so it fits me fine, I do wish I'd bulk up a bit being this skinny doesn't help me find clothing at all. With my shoulder's included my chest is 38 inches which makes the gambeson a perfect fit, as opposed to a baggy fit. I don't care much for baggy or oversized clothing, which is why I got a different gambeson. Pants have a bit of an easier fit due to drawstring waists being perfect for someone like me. I just use a belt at the waist to cut back on the extra room there.

[Sir Brian]

Well I guess this is another addition to that wish list of 2011 because I’m seriously considering on picking these up and trying my hand at Cuir Boilli, after I dye them green and edge them with gold paint of course.   
http://www.windrosearmoury.com/zc/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=541

That would be ambitious, and from what I hear, quite messy.  The wax...you need lots of it, or so I've read.  Still, if you decide on doing it, you have to do the step by step w/pics!

Sorry Sir William! I don’t know how I missed this part of your earlier reply! 

Anyways I think I’ll try the water boiled method since from what I’ve read it is easier and actually more effective. http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/leather/hl.html

[Sir William]

Sir Ulrich, you never include your shoulders when measuring your chest- which should be done after taking a deep breath and holding for the measurer.

Sir Brian...I'm thinking the cleanup will be easier at the very least.  I'm very interested to see how it turns out...a lot of the so-called leather armor out there is just plain leather riveted together, not hardened at all.

[Sir Edward]

Sir Ulrich, you never include your shoulders when measuring your chest- which should be done after taking a deep breath and holding for the measurer.

Yep. And a sewing-style cloth measuring tape is ideal, and you measure the circumference around your upper torso just under the armpits.