Armoured Combat notes:Armour Requirements

Head

Underside of the chin; - September 2017

It is strongly recommended that the underside of the jaw be protected from a low-profile thrusting tip - Jon Dai of the Lane

Plumes

High contrast plumes - April 2018

Plumes should be of high contrast colours - not black or dark green or colours which otherwise blend in to the background scenery. They are a safety device to make plumed participants as visible as possible. - Jon Dai of the Lane

Increase in plume height - 2009?

Plume height was increased from 6 inches to 12 inches (30cm)

Face Guards

Mesh - December 2015

Ruling - mesh is required to protect the face, not the skull.

Mesh is required under Lochac rules to protect delicate facial features what would not survive an unintended helm penetration such as eyes and teeth.

Mesh is not required to fill the skull holes on Vendal style helmets. As with all armour, the design is to prevent traumatic and unrecoverable injury, pain however is up to the tolerance level of the individual and what level they are willing to accept. - Jarl Niall

Additional mesh types - June 2019

Materials that meet the standard for face protection during rapier combat are suitable to protect the face from arrows. - Angele de Savigny

Crimsafe - November 2004

"Crimsafe" has been approved for use as arrow mesh for helm face plates. (Although the gauge of the woven wire is less than previously allowed, the protection offered by this security mesh is superior to the current approved materials).

Body

Zoombang is equivalent for kidney protection - August 2014

Viscoelastic polymers (i.e. Zoombang) can be considered the equivalent of heavy leather worn over .25 inch (6 mm) of closed-cell foam.

Groin

Groin armour - Oct 2018

Society rule update - The groin must be protected to a standard equivalent to that provided by an athletic cup or pubic protector, secured by straps, or worn in a supporter or fighting garment designed to hold the protection in place.

The prohibition on wearing groin protection designed for the opposite sex has been removed

The rules were updated to make things more inclusive for trans and non-binary participants. The prohibition against wearing the opposite gender's groin protection had been included due to marshals of the past requiring women to wear a male athletic cup.

Hand

Hand armour - June 2018

The required coverage has been corrected to match Society minimum requirement for hand protection to extend to 25.4mm (1 inch) above the wrist. The footnote about coverage has been removed.

Shield alone is not sufficient in Lochac - 2013

A Society rule update in 2013 indicated that a shield alone may be considered an equivalent to full hand protection only if no part of the gloved hand or wrist is within 4 inches (10.2 cm) of the edge of the shield while the shield is in use. However, Lochac has chosen not to use this rule, and still requires additional hand protection.

Transitioning from combat archery to melee combat - June 2019

Combat archers, siege engineers and those using throwing weapons who wish to be able to transition to using melee weapons during combat must be wearing the appropriate hand protection for use of their melee weapon.

Note for thrown weapons, combat archers and siege engineers - June 2019

While a half gauntlet which leaves the fingers exposed is the minimum requirement, archers, siege engineers and those using throwing weapons are encouraged to have gauntlets that cover more of their hands and fingers while still allowing for the dexterity required for managing their equipment.

Hand protection for those using throwing weapons - 2008

A Society rule update in 2008 allowed those using throwing weapons to also use the same hand protection as combat archers and siege engineers.

Arm

Shield alone is not sufficient in Lochac - 2013

A Society rule update in 2013 indicated that a shield alone may be considered an equivalent to elbow protection, if the elbow is 4 inches (10.2 cm) or more from the edge of the shield during typical use. However, Lochac has chosen not to use this rule, and still requires additional elbow protection.

Leg

Knee armour - August 2016

An "air gap" alone is NOT equivalent padding. An air gap, does not protect the knee if a fighter drops to their knees suddenly (either purposely or as a result of a fall)

Knees need to be padded, in a way that is 6.35mm of resilient material or equivalent (read padding). For example, commercial sports knee pads. - Jarl Niall

Shields

Pavises - 2008

A Society rule change in 2008 included construction standards for pavises. Other rules were added with regards to their use, and effect of missile weapons