BUYING ARMOR III

$2,000 - $2,500

The Minimum

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A functional beginner kit. This is typically:

• 14th century European style

• Tempered steel

• Steel under fabric

• Floating joints

• Stock (non-bespoke) padded layer

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$2,600 - $3,700

Mid-level

At this range, you may see:

• Articulated joints

• Titanium body armor

• Fully enclosed sabatons

• More complex designs

• Entry-level Asian/Eastern kits

• Early 15th-century plate at the upper end of this level

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Padded layers can be custom-made to measure.

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This is also a good range to consider swappable parts for different formats (melee vs duels vs outrance/pro fights).

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$3,800 - $6,000

At this level, expect:

• Fully bespoke padded layers

• Armor that is custom-fit with in-person fittings and/or plaster casts of body parts

• Articulated titanium limbs

• Full plate body armor using more complex 15th century European designs, Eastern/Asian/Rus armors, or other more unusual styles

• Complex non-bascinet helmets or helmets with swappable visors

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Format-specific components are strongly recommended here to maximize optimization.

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$6,000+

This is for specialist/custom kits. Typically late 15th century European designs.

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Given the wear and damage inherent to the sport, this range is not advisable for new fighters.

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Some armorers offer bundled starter kits, usually $1,000 - $1,500. These typically exclude helmets, gauntlets, and sometimes sabatons as well. These are basic 14th century European designs. They're sometimes made-to-measure and sometimes offered in off-the-rack sizes (S, M, L). 

 

Despite the name, these kits are not always low quality and can be comparable to gear used by higher-level fighters.

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Pros

• One vendor, simplified ordering

• Competitive pricing

• Components design to work together

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Cons

• Larger upfront payment (often 50%)

• Longer wait times

• Typically less historically refined and can have some shaping/aesthetic issues

This refers to ordering an entire kit from one armorer, often with customization. This can be combined with a starter kit by upgrading specific components.

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Pros

• One vendor, simplified ordering.

• Unified design, parts work together

• Reflects your exact goals with further customization

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Cons

• Higher cost than a starter kit

• Large upfront payment 

• Requires clear communication with the armorer for customization

This is the most common approach to purchasing armor. Fighters plan their kit and then purchase components individually over time from multiple vendors.

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Pros

• Maximum flexibility - if you have access to some pieces of loaner gear, you can purchase just the pieces you need

• Allows cost spreading so you don't have to put down $1,000 at once

• Easier to find in-stock items

• Smaller orders often mean a shorter wait time for custom pieces

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Cons

• Requires planning and keeping track of multiple vendors and timelines

• Higher total shipping costs (this is not an insignificant cost and can add hundreds of dollars to your order!)

• Components must be carefully matched to ensure full coverage and that the pieces match historically - you wouldn't want to pair a 15th century helmet with a 14th century brigandine