Hi Guys :)

[Joel Rohrbeck]

First post and I have to say... amazing site!
It's good to know I'm not the only guy who rolls this stuff over in his head. <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

*hunkers down for the inevitable hazing ritual* <img src="/forum/images/icons/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Oh... and I do actually have a question to pose... I've got a dingbat trying to tell me that armored knights gear in battle totald from 75 to 80lb... color me a greenhorn but that seems a bit heavy... <img src="/forum/images/icons/confused.gif" alt="" />

[Lance Chan]

Spread that weight even around your body, you won't find it "that" heavy. There are people here who wear the armor in mention during practice and they know better than I do. Look for some direct insights from those who experienced it first handed.

[Shane Smith]

I am an avid armoured enthusiast and my harness probably goes over 70 pounds all up. I have no trouble moving in it and can run in it with little difficulty when required. I have worn it for up to 6 hours at a stretch. No problems.

Welcome to the forum <img src="/forum/images/icons/cool.gif" alt="" />

[John_Clements]

Hi Joel,
See the article here on Fitness which addresses some on how knights trained for wearing armor. Also, see the July issue of Military History magazine for an article on knights in heavy armor.

JC

[Joel Rohrbeck]

Yeah... Just came across that...

[SzabolcsWaldmann]

Hello alls,

We also have regular armoured training beside our civil training, and our armours are made of one of the best armourers in Hungary, Bánshági Máté, who sells his complete armour for around 2000 Dollars. Well, most armours weight 35 kilogramms (i don't know that in lbs) and not more. That you can wear for a 2-Hour training and be happy with it. Just remember, those guys in the middle-ages trained for this and could wear their full-plate armour for probably 5 hours or so without difficulties (who would they live through 6 and 7 hour battles otherwise?).
And besides, you may do almost anything in armour as well - you can run, you can duck, crawl, fight, get in the sattle, climb smaller obstacles, and whatever else a battle demands.
There is of course some fitness to do before that.

Szabolcs

[Matthew_Anderson]

Harness weights varied a great deal depending on time period of course. Late 15th and 16th c. armour specifically designed for joustng was heavier than "field armour" worn in combat. I would guess that the average field harness of the mid 15thc. weighed 60-70 pounds. Late 14thc. armor was perhaps even heavier, due to the full maille hauberk combined with plate armour. Mine weighs about 75 pounds and although the extra weight does affect how you move, with training, you can still be quite agile. I have no doubt that men who trained and fought effectively in armour were very fit! Here's some soft, 21st century men doing the best they can:

[robrobertson]

Strap a rucksack on your back and you can march all day. hold it at arms length and you'll start shaking in no time.

It's all in the weight distribution, including where the straps are located.

GOOD QUESTION! And at least you don't think that they were wearing 1/2" plate!!!

Rob