By Mykola Avenirov, Founder of MedievalExtreme
Your first buhurt tournament is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming.
The noise. The heat. The chaos of fighters running to the lists. And somewhere in the middle of that, you’re trying to figure out if you’re about to miss your call because you’re still lacing your vambrace.
This guide covers the practical, battle-tested tips that can save you from rookie mistakes and help you focus on fighting — not on scrambling for missing straps.
1. Know Your Discipline & Schedule
Before you even leave home, confirm which discipline(s) you’re fighting in.
This decides what armor, weapons, and shields you’ll need.
If you’re doing both 1v1 and 5v5, your gear plan will look different than if you’re only in mass battles.
Once at the event, find out the exact schedule and when your team is expected to be on the list.
Being ready early is always better than running into the lists half-geared because you didn’t hear the call.
📖 Related: Golden Rules for New Fighters
2. Weapon Check
Before the tournament starts, marshals will inspect and approve weapons.
The best approach?
Organize it on the team level — give all your weapons to your team support, have them checked together during the official inspection, and get them marked with tournament stickers.
And please — check your own weapons before the trip. Nothing kills the mood like a marshal telling you your axe isn’t allowed because of a damaged edge you didn’t notice.
3. Warm Up Properly
Buhurt is not a sport you “warm up” in the first round.
Stretch, rotate your joints, and do some light cardio before armor goes on.
It wakes your body up, helps reaction speed, and greatly reduces injury risk.
Five minutes here can save you weeks of recovery later.
4. Visit the Toilet (Twice)
Go once when you think you’re ready.
Then go again right before you put armor on. You’ll thank me later, when you won’t need to figure out how to perform it without taking half your armor off.
Trust me — it’s a lot less funny when you remember you skipped this step while waiting at the list gate.
5. Keep a “Ready Bag”
This is the small bag you keep with you in the zone for fighters near the list. It should have:
- Spare weapon
- Repair kit
- Towel
- Water bottle
- Gloves
- Small first aid kit
- Quick snack
When you’re minutes from being called, digging through your main luggage in the far corner of the tent is not an option.
📖 Related: How to Pack Your Gear After a Buhurt Tournament
6. Hydration
Drink water constantly throughout the day — not just during breaks.
Sip every 15–20 minutes when possible.
Electrolytes can help if you’re used to them, but don’t experiment at the tournament.
7. Have a Quick “Repair Kit”
Tournament ground repairs are a thing — and they can save your fight.
Include:
- Leather laces and straps
- Cord or paracord
- Duct tape
- Zip ties (yes, lots of them)
- Multitool
Even if you don’t need it, you might save a teammate’s match.
8. Find a Tournament Buddy
Gear each other up, keep an eye out for damage, share spares.
Nothing’s worse than having your sword snap mid-fight and standing there empty-handed.
Your buddy can toss you their spare or support you in other ways.
📖 Related: How to Find a Buhurt Team
9. Don’t Pour Water Inside Your Gambeson
It might seem like a good way to cool down — but wet padding makes you hotter, heavier, and miserable.
Instead:
- Wipe sweat off with a towel (always keep one close — The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy wasn’t wrong)
- Wear a good rashguard to improve thermoregulation
You’ll stay cooler and more comfortable in the long run.
10. Cool-Down Between Fights
Remove your helmet as soon as possible.
If you have a brigandine that opens in front, take it off together with the gambeson arms and shoulders.
It’s fast to remove and quick to put back on.
Extra bonus: put the gambeson in the sun during long breaks — it can dry out and feel significantly lighter – your sweat weighs a lot.
11. Label Your Gear
Your gauntlets, your axe, your gorget — anything that can be picked up by someone else.
Tournaments are chaotic, and unmarked gear has a way of disappearing “by accident.”
A small label or piece of colored tape can save you from a frustrating search.
Final thought:
Buhurt is chaotic by nature. But the fighters who last the longest are the ones who prepare not just for battle — but for all the little moments in between.
The more of these habits you build before your first tournament, the easier the fights will feel — because you’ll be focusing on what matters: the opponents, the teamwork, and the fight itself.
📖 Related: Top 5 Mistakes New Fighters Make | How to Start Buhurt on a Budget
— Mykola Avenirov
Founder, MedievalExtreme