Thigh/leg protection

[Fab]

What do you guys use ? I know the bushcutter shin guards the Dude and Nikos use for the knee/calf, but what of the upper leg (thigh & hips) ? Do you think they're needed at all ?

[admin]

We've never used anything for that part of the leg. If we're playing with steel then we have gambesons on, which cover most of that, and if we're playing with plastic or shinai then I don't see it being necessary.

[Fab]

Actually we haven't used any protection for the upper leg either. But as I'm considering trying sparring with steel (longsword and rapier), I'd like to have people's takes on the matter.

[Frede Jensen]

I have a pair of these:
http://www.skatepro.dk/da/24_123_165_67-1761.htm

They give good protection to the hips and kidneys. I don't ever feel that I really need them though..
And we only spar with steel.

But if I ever enter into a competition or something similar again. I would probably wear them.

- F -

[Stevie T]

I was looking into these

http://www.return2fitness.co.uk/Protect ... -hdc-short

not got around to getting them though.

I got one of the rugby padded shirts though, only problem was it kept riding up when you lift your arms then would go down when you lowered your arms.

[scholadays]

T'is the inside not the outside of the thigh that most concerns.
I have mused muchly on the topic over the years.

And come to the conclusion that the most practical covering to the inside be the wearing of a skirt, which by good fortune also covers the outside.

Or, in particular, a gambeson with a skirt.

[admin]

[Nikos]

I have never bothered with thigh protection and don't consider it super neccessary, I suspect though that if you were then these would be good, specifically the grays ones as they are the cheapest: http://www.hockeyfactoryshop.co.uk/acat ... s_225.html

Also cheaper but a little different would be these:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... ide:2&rd=1

Made in the same way as the forearm guards that I have, also available through escrimador supplies, I have not used them and they obviously don't cover all the way upto the belt line, but may well be worth a look if your after something like that.

[scholadays]

http://sl-armours.com/patterns/henryviii_1514_tonlet_harness.jpg

Zigakily.

Femoraltastic.

[scholadays]

If I were ever to comission another gambeson, methinks I would ask for a skirt to a few inches above the knee.

[Paul B]

If I were ever to comission another gambeson, methinks I would ask for a skirt to a few inches above the knee.

Velcro attachment?

[craftyfighter]

strange...its like these folks knew what they were doing....but, how is that possible? I mean it was so long ago...astounding really.

[Dai D]

I've got a pair of Darth Vader style swat knee and shin protectors from Galls. They were about £30 and even included a bit that protected the top of the foot.
A bit like these.
http://www.geekologie.com/2007/07/11/da ... ostume.jpg

[Frede Jensen]

I have always thought it could be kinda cool in a geeky sort of way to have a Stormtrooper costume to fence in. If made by hard plastic and some padding it should provide quite good protection.

- F -

[Fab]

I've got a pair of Darth Vader style swat knee and shin protectors from Galls. They were about £30 and even included a bit that protected the top of the foot.
A bit like these.
http://www.geekologie.com/2007/07/11/da ... ostume.jpg

Yep we have hese too :

But don't use them too often as they tend not to stay in place ; the main problem is actually the foot thingies, that do get in the way unless you keep standing still.

[Dai D]

I cut the foot things off

[Colin F.]

Took my class of year 3s to see Henry VIII's armour when it was at the RA in Leeds. My class thought it looked, to quote one young lady, "very pretty but a bit weird."