MEDIEVAL GAMBESONS
Medieval Gambeson – Padding and Protection
At Leonardo Carbone you'll find medieval gambesons – expertly crafted, uniquely designed, and fairly priced. Lovingly made in Germany since 1999. The padded protective jacket for fighters and knights – perfect for LARP, stage combat, and reenactment.
Read more about Medieval Gambeson – Padding and Protection
In the Middle Ages, the gambeson was an essential form of padding and protective clothing for warriors, serving as a standalone form of armor. Gambesons, which remained indispensable as textile armor carriers up to the 15th century, were eventually combined with metal components to enhance protection. A gambeson is a historical garment that was widely used during medieval times. It is a padded textile armor worn either on its own or as a base layer beneath plate or chainmail armor.
What makes our medieval gambesons stand out:
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Material and Craftsmanship:
Gambesons were usually made from multiple layers of linen, wool, or cotton. These layers were tightly stitched together to form a thick, padded structure.
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Padding:
Materials such as raw cotton, tow (hemp fibers), or even horsehair were often used between the fabric layers to reinforce the padding.
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Stitching:
The seams were often sewn in a specific pattern (e.g., quilting) to distribute the padding evenly and prevent the filling from shifting.
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Function and Protection:
The gambeson was designed to absorb and distribute the impact of blows from swords, axes, and other weapons.
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Base Layer for Armor:
It was frequently worn underneath chainmail or plate armor to minimize friction and offer additional protection.
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Standalone Armor:
For less wealthy fighters, the gambeson provided an effective form of protection without the high cost of full metal armor.
At LEONARDO CARBONE, we understand the historical importance of the gambeson in medieval armor tradition. That’s why we offer a wide selection of high-quality gambesons that are both functional and stylish.
Be inspired by our collection and gear up for your next adventure—whether in LARP or at historical reenactment Events!
A gambeson is a quilted protective jacket or waistcoat, which was worn in the Middle Ages in battle, usually under a knight's armour, but also as additional protection over chain mail to protect the fighter from blows, abrasions, bruises and from attacks with crossbows or arrows. The "poor man" also wore the gambeson instead of armour. The gambeson thus provided protection and safety for its wearer during a sporting tournament or on the battlefield.
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