What padding should be worn under greaves?

Wear fitted padded chausses or dedicated under-armor padding that cushions the shin, calf, and ankle without creating excessive bulk. The padding should remain stable during movement and prevent direct contact between the metal plates and your leg. Use the same padding for measurements and combat. If purchasing new padding with the greaves, provide bare-leg measurements so both pieces can be adjusted as one system.

How do I measure my leg for custom greaves?

Take measurements while wearing the exact leg padding you currently use. Provide your height, body weight, widest calf circumference (K), narrowest ankle circumference (L), and knee-to-ankle length(Z). Keep the leg relaxed and the measuring tape snug without compressing the padding. If you order padding and greaves together, measure your bare legs and mention the included padding in the order notes. MedievalExtreme will add the required allowance.</p>

How much do titanium greaves weigh compared to steel?

Titanium greaves are generally 20 to 40 percent lighter than an equivalent hardened-steel model. The exact reduction depends on the construction, size, number of plates, straps, and additional components. Brigandine greaves usually remain closer to the lower end of this range because their fabric shell, lining, straps, and hardware retain the same weight. For example, MedievalExtreme brigandine greaves weigh approximately 2.71 kg in steel and 2.05 kg in titanium for XL size.

Do buhurt rules allow open greaves?

Yes, but their legality depends on the historical period of the armor kit. Current Buhurt International rules classify open, one-panel greaves as half-greaves. They are approved for 14th-century and Transitional armor but denied for 15th-century armor. The greave must cover the entire front of the lower leg, follow its anatomical shape, protect the ankle bone, and be supported by appropriate historical sources.

Anatomical Splinted Greaves • Medieval Extreme

Description

The Anatomical Splinted Greaves – medieval leg armor that was widely used among knights in Europe from 14st.

The splints ( steel plates) are riveted inside and outside to wool and canvas base.

One of the sources for such type of armor:

Günther XXI. von Schwarzburg-Arnstadt, tomb in St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral in Frankfurt / M. Source

Features:

Reliable and strong wool reinforced with canvass – to hold splints tight
Hardened steel and titanium on your choice
Anatomical shape
Protection of your shin and feet
Color on your choice
Leather arming point from inside to be laced to your chausses
Easy to carry and pack in your bag.

Check the measurements required for anatomical splinted greaves on the last photo.

Legs Armor FAQ

Legs Armor

How much does a full leg armor set weigh?

Weight depends on size, material, coverage, and construction. An XL Basic Floating Legs Aurora set weighs approximately 6.17 kg in hardened steel. An articulated Apex set weighs approximately 8.63 kg.

An XL floating brigandine leg set weighs approximately 7.98 kg in hardened steel or 6.40 kg in titanium. These figures include cuisses, poleyns, and greaves but may not include sabatons, padding, or suspension equipment. Always check the specifications of the individual set.

Can leg armor be worn over regular sport padding?

We recommend purpose-made padded chausses or another approved underarmor layer. Regular sport padding may shift, create pressure points, or add the wrong amount of thickness. Visible modern materials may also fail authenticity requirements.

If you plan to use existing sport padding, confirm it with the relevant tournament officials. Take every armor measurement while wearing that exact padding and your combat footwear. If you order the leg armor and padding together, measure your bare legs and tell us. We will adjust the size accordingly.

How do cuisses attach: belt or pointing?

Most floating cuisses attach through reinforced leather arming points to a lendenier or purpose-made arming belt. Lacing, also called pointing, carries the armor’s weight and keeps the cuisses at the correct height.

Additional straps stabilize the thighs and knees, but they should not carry the entire load. A regular clothing belt may twist, slide, or sag under heavy leg armor. A reinforced lendenier or C-belt provides better support.

What leg protection is mandatory under buhurt rules?

Fighters need continuous protection for the thighs, knees, shins, and feet. This normally includes cuisses, poleyns, greaves, and sabatons. The components must overlap correctly and prevent exposed gaps during movement.

Under current rules, a fighter may be grounded if an equipment failure affects a thigh protector, knee cop, shin protector, or sabaton. The armor must also match the applicable safety and authenticity requirements.

How should I take the measurements for my legs armor?

General Recommendations for Measurements for Legs Armor:

Clothing: Measurements should be taken wearing the padded chausses you intend to wear with the armor. Sweatpants or jeans will not accurately reflect the thickness of the padded chausses and could lead to ill-fitting armor.

Bare Legs If you are ordering both legs and padding together, measuring your bare legs is acceptable. However, please clearly indicate on the measurement sheet that the measurements are for bare legs.

Measurements: Take all measurements with a flexible measuring tape, snug but not tight.

Additional Notes:

Take all measurements with padded chausses or similar under-the-legs armor and shoes on.
Ensure you or the person being measured is standing straight and relaxed with feet shoulder-width apart.
Use a flexible measuring tape for accurate circumference measurements.
Consider additional measurements if specific armor requires them (e.g., knee joint width, foot length).
This table provides a basic guide and adjustments might be necessary based on individual body shape and specific armor design.

Required measurements:

A. Weight: Measure your weight in kilograms or pounds without wearing any armor.

B. Height: Stand tall and measure the distance from the top of your head to the soles of your feet.

I. Maximal thigh circumference: Find the widest part of your thigh, usually just above mid-thigh. Wrap the tape measure snugly but not tight.

J. Thigh circumference above knee: Measure the circumference about 10 cm above your kneecap with the tape snug but not tight.

K. Calves: Measure the widest point around your calf muscle with the tape snug but not tight.

L. Ankle: Measure the narrowest part of your ankle just above the ankle bone with the tape snug but not tight.

AA. Hip to Knee: Stand with your leg relaxed. Locate the bony bump on the side of your hip bone (greater trochanter) and the center of your kneecap. Measure the distance between these points while keeping your leg straight.

Z. Knee to Ankle: Stand with your leg relaxed. Locate the center of your kneecap and the highest point of your ankle bone. Measure the distance between these points while keeping your leg straight.