Padded Leather Bracers

Padded Leather Bracers with Interwoven Straps for Historical Fencing

Historical Inspiration and Practical Combat Use

Although this specific design with interwoven straps is particularly popular in the fantasy and LARP scenes, thick leather forearm guards have been used since the Early Middle Ages. Common foot soldiers, mercenaries, and archers who could not afford expensive plate armour relied heavily on thick leather. These bracers consist of a rigid outer shell made of smooth cowhide up to 4 mm (0.16 in) thick, and an inner soft leather lining that is firmly sewn to the outer layer, functioning as comfortable padding. The three 2.5 cm (1 in) wide fastening straps are cleverly woven through the body of the guard itself, which not only looks fantastic but also structurally reinforces the entire piece. After buckling, you can elegantly tuck the excess strap length underneath the buckles so they do not interfere with your fencing. We supply the guards as a pair for both arms.

Care and Maintenance of Leather Armour

To ensure these bracers last as long as possible and the leather retains its shock-absorbing and protective properties, regular maintenance is required. We recommend treating the thick outer leather and the fastening straps at least twice a year with a high-quality, colourless leather balm, ideally one based on natural beeswax. The softer inner leather, which absorbs sweat during combat, should be allowed to air out thoroughly after every training session. If you get soaked on the battlefield, never dry the bracers near an open fire or on a hot radiator—the leather would irreversibly bake, harden, and crack. Always dry them naturally at room temperature. Remember that minor variations in colour and surface texture are natural characteristics of genuine leather, giving your armour a beautiful, authentic patina.

Safety Warning for Fencers

Even though these are very thick and padded leather guards, remember that leather is not steel. They are excellent for fencing practice with wooden or synthetic weapons, for LARP, and for light stage combat. For heavy full-contact combat (e.g., buhurt or full-contact HEMA tournaments) with heavy steel weapons, leather alone may not be sufficient to prevent bone fractures from heavy blunt force trauma. For maximum safety and shock absorption, we highly recommend always wearing these bracers over a thickly padded gambeson, rather than on bare skin.

Recommended Gear for Warriors

For comprehensive arm protection, we recommend pairing these bracers with a sturdy long-sleeved padded gambeson and robust leather fencing gloves that will protect your fingers and joints from crushing blows to the hands.

Technical Specifications of the Bracers