Medieval Gambeson Vest Jacket & Arming Coat

If you are wearing steel armor, a medieval gambeson or padded under-armor is necessary. A medieval gambeson will help prevent being pinched by the steel armor every time you move, especially when worn underneath mail.

Medieval gambesons are popular for wearing under steel, leather, or chainmail armor for added comfort and protection. They come in black, brown, white, and more, with some styles resembling a classic leather jacket in appearance.

Our functional gambesons come in sizes from small to XX-large.

Complete Your Steel Plate Armor for Medieval Knights

Medieval Collectibles offers different styles of gambesons, from padded jacket variants, quilted jacket types, fancy vests, and stylish doublets. We also have gambeson armors that are thigh-length, unsleeved, or with short or long sleeves.

For historical accuracy, some gambeson designs are modeled after real gambesons from various historical periods, including the mid-twelfth century onward, when evidence for their use under armour first appears in iconography. Our products are quilted, layered, and secured with historically accurate belts, buckles, leather straps, and ties for authenticity.

At Medieval Collectibles, you can get period-accurate, high-quality, and ready-to-wear historical gambeson variants for reenactments, LARP, cosplay, and other events!

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is a gambeson?

A gambeson is a padded chest armor jacket worn under chain mail or plate armour, which was popular during the Middle Ages. A gambeson is made with a variety of stuffing for armor padding, and is constructed using a sewing technique called quilting. A gambeson is also known as an aketon, padded jack, or arming doublet.

Throughout history, Knights always wore gambesons under their metal armor for extra durability, though common soldiers could also wear this gear as standalone armor. A gambeson combined with armor is designed to absorb shock and prevent chafing and pinching, particularly around the shoulders and other pressure points.

The gambeson-armor combination also provided extra protection and warmth to the wearer.

What is gambeson made of?

Traditionally, a gambeson is made from wool or linen of great quality. It is quilted and stuffed with several layers of wadding made from different materials, such as scrap cloths or horsehair.

A modern gambeson uses readily available materials for the outer layer and inner lining, such as cotton, polyester, cowhide suede, and fabric blends. It also uses cotton and polyester for durable padding for greater comfort. The protective garment is fastened using belts, leather loops, or ties.

This arrangement of gambeson and padded armor provided adequate thickness without sacrificing mobility for the user, regardless of the character they want to play. When properly constructed, a gambeson fits comfortably under metal armor while allowing a full range of movement.