How Heavy Is Too Heavy? Finding the Sweet Spot for Armor Weight

[Helga Cooper]

Hey everyone, how do you figure out the perfect armor weight? I wore my cousin’s full plate at a sparring match last spring, and man, I was wiped out in 20 minutes. Felt badass but could barely move! What’s your take on balancing weight and stamina? Any moments where you nailed it or learned the hard way?

[Max Coffman]

Oh man, I feel you on the full plate struggle—been there! I think the sweet spot depends on your build and how long you’re fighting. My first kit was way too heavy, left me gasping. Now I mix lighter pieces with sturdy ones, like a solid chestplate and arm guards. Pairing it with medieval shields helps spread the load—some designs at https://medievalextreme.com/shields/ show what I mean. I’d aim for 30-40 pounds total for most spars; keeps you nimble but protected. My current setup lets me last a whole tourney without feeling dead. What’s your fighting style like?

[Diego Torres]

Caught this thread while scrolling, and it’s cool to see you all geek out over armor weight! I don’t do any fighting—mostly into biking and fixing up old bikes—but I get the vibe of finding that perfect balance. Like tweaking a bike frame to be sturdy but not a tank to pedal. Reading this makes me think about how much trial and error goes into your hobby. Bet it feels awesome when you hit that sweet spot and can move freely. Might have to peek at a reenactment next time I’m near one. Fun stuff!

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