At Sword N Armory, we offer a rich selection of body armour, all
produced from the top manufacturers and made to be highly authentic. Many people come to us for their outfitting
needs because of our selection and quality standards.

What to Actually Look For

If you’re shopping for body armor for the first time,
there are many things you need to take into account to make the best
choice. It’s about a lot more than
grabbing a bunch of individual pieces that look cool enough to your eyes. Body armour is based heavily on history and tradition,
and besides that, not all armor on the market is created equally.

#1: Manufacturer

Different manufacturers produce body armor, and some
have better reputations than others. It
is always smart to do some research on the manufacturer prior to making a
purchase. Some may produce products that
look great in the store, but do not end up having the quality level you were
hoping for. Look for online reviews of
the manufacturer and look through their website to learn more about their
methods and materials to know exactly what you will be getting.

#2: Material

Speaking of materials, this is a particularly
important thing to take into consideration.
Body armor can be made with a surprisingly wide variety of materials,
each one serving a unique purpose. Some
materials are simply cheap, without any advantages, while others offer unique
lightweight fits, protection against scratches, comfort, flexibility and
more. Be mindful of what your priorities
are when it comes to materials in terms of comfort, quality, and resilience,
and choose accordingly by observing what is available on the market.

#3: Cost

It’s always good to have a budget in mind beforehand,
because you would be surprised by how easy it is to impulsively buy a lot of
pieces without realizing how much the costs are adding up. Now, we do have to say that if you want the
really good-quality armor that is out there, you should be willing to spend a
bit. The cheapest route is rarely the
best option if you want something that will look good, feel good and last. However, you do not need to go crazy
either. Shop around to see different
price ranges and have an idea of what the right amount is to spend in order to
get something that suits your particular needs.

#4: Cohesiveness

While not required, it is always important to go with
historical cohesiveness. Making a
patchwork of different styles of armor from different eras and regions does not
create a cohesive look, and it may not be practical due to different pieces of
armor overlapping as a result of not being produced in a complementary
fashion. This is why we encourage you,
if you have not already, to research body armor to fully understand which style
appeals to you, and which pieces go together in the historical sense. This is especially important if you are
engaging in any type of reenactment. Through
the process of research, you will gain an appreciation for armor in terms of
its historical context, which will help you feel more connected to the armor by
the time it arrives at your home.

#5: Fit

Of course, fit is an important factor as well. Not only do you want to make sure that the
pieces fit properly according to your measurements, but also that they fit
comfortably. Higher-quality armor is
made to be comfortable, with less risk of edges being abrasive against the
skin. But still, you will want to make
sure the measurements are correct, and that you consider the materials so that
they are not so heavy on the skin that they actually cause discomfort by the
end of the day.

#6: Accuracy

Historical accuracy varies between pieces, and it is
always good to choose armor that’s as accurate as possible as this greatly
increases its value. This is another
time when research comes in handy. Get
to know the intricate details of historical armor to be able to spot an
inaccurate representation right away.
Know if there are certain designs or techniques that are still used
today to keep the accuracy as high as possible.
Most of us who gravitate toward armor do so because of its history, and
so you will want to pay extra attention in this department. You’d be surprised by how many known
manufacturers produce armor that is missing key historical details.

#7: Outfit and Accessories

You’ll want to consider how many pieces you need, and whether
or not you wish to buy accessories as well.
You may just want a helmet, or an entire outfit from head to toe,
complete with a sword and shield, and other accessories. Body armor is extensive in terms of the pieces
that are available, and almost always, each piece is sold separately. Think ahead of time which pieces you want to
purchase to complete your look, and make room in your budget for each.

Of course, you don’t need to buy all of your items at
once. For instance, many do start with a
simple helmet, and slowly add more pieces along the way as their budget
allows.

#8: Storage

When shopping for armor, ask yourself whether or not
you have the means to store it properly.
You may splurge on a ton of body armor, only to realize it’s all going
to have to get thrown into the corner of your garage, where it can become
damaged due to weather and other objects brushing up against it. If you don’t have the means to store armor
properly, in a temperature-controlled area where pests and moisture don’t pose
any threats, then you’ll need to reconsider your buying choices. If you can only fit a few pieces in a storage
area, buy just a few pieces. As time
goes on, you may be able to move things around in your home to make room for
more.

#9: Durability

Durability is a factor that is often underrated. The materials, combined with the overall
construction, determine how resilient the armor is, and how long it will
last. Cheaper materials can degrade
quickly due to subtle changes in environment, and can scratch more easily, not
to mention warp with temperature changes.
You want durable pieces so that they can last you for a long time,
because replacing armor regularly just isn’t practical. You also want to make sure that your armor
can handle whatever you plan on using it for, whether it be reenactments or a
display in a room in your home, where heavy foot traffic takes place.

#10: Your Goals

Finally, ask yourself what your goals are with your
armor. Are you looking to display an
outfit on a stand for your friends to see when they come over? Or are you planning on attending reenactments
around the calendar year, where historical accuracy is even more important, and
that armor will be getting a lot of use?
Knowing what you plan to do with your body armor has a lot to do with
what you should buy. If you plan on
using the armor, durability is a must.
If you plan on displaying it, some ornamental details can go a long
way. There is a lot of body armor out
there, and not all of it is intended to get the same level of regular usage.

Choose the Right Armour that Meets Your Needs

Body armor can be an enormously rewarding hobby that
combines your love for dressing up with your appreciation for history. But not all body armor is equally deserving
of your consideration. Make careful
choices based on your needs as well as quality, and you will end up with the
perfect pieces for your collection.