[T. Arndt]

I have a an excellent Wisby style 14th century coat of plates from Wintertree Crafts, and while a love it, I find it can be quite warm.

I assume that a 14th century half breastplate such as shown below would be substantially cooler due to the back being open an the plate being less tight to the arming coat/body.

I am hoping that someone with experience wearing both kinds of armor can elaborate on how substantially cooler a breastplate is?

Thanks!

My CoP (from Wintertree Crafts):

Example Breast Plate (from Platener)

[Kel Rekuta]

Its not the armour but the foundation garment that retains heat. Iron and steel conduct heat reasonably well.

If one wears a lightly padded arming coat constructed of natural fibres, it tends to wick moisture. Hydration is more important for relative comfort than the specific style of armour. When people wear foundation garments thickly padded with synthetic fibre then they roast.

[Randall Moffett]

I agree. I have both and they seem to keep heat in the same. biggest issue is the fabric under. It can either cool the person as he/she sweats or heat them up further.

RPM

[Ian S LaSpina]

[T. Arndt]

I think the point being missed here is that the CoP configuration you are completely wrapped in:
Front: Leather, Plates, Mail, Gambeson
Back: Leather, Plates, Mail, Gambeson

Wheras: in half-breastplate, since it has no back:
Front: Plate, Mail, Gambeson
Back: Mail, Gambeson

I know from experience when I take off my CoP I radiate heat and cool off very fast (I do have a properly made arming coate), so I imagine if nothing was on my back to begin with (besides the mail/arming coate) I would be much cooler overall- even if my front was just as hot.

Basically the leather wrap of the CoP really traps heat.
Is this not the case? Am I missing something?

Randall, you say you have both and think they retain heat similarly, but:
A. Is your CoP backed with leather as mine is?
B. Is you breastplate full, or half as pictured above?

[Bartek Strojek]

My comment will not be particularly helpful, but I would guess that may be one of the reasons why textile backing seemed to be preferred for CoP and similar stuff, at least for wealthy guys.

Only bold hypothesis, but interesting.

[Kel Rekuta]

I have worn Wisby Type I and VII pairs of plate, breastplate with and without back and scale on leather over a gambeson. (BTW there is nothing called a "half" breastplate unless one side of a corrazina has fallen off) None of them made as much difference as changing the foundation garment. Obviously another layer over mail will be hotter as air doesn't move around the body as much to absorb heat. Fabric covered vs leather is also of limited difference because suitable fabric for a pair of plates is almost as impenetrable to air as is leather.

So yes, if you wear only a breastplate and no back you will be slightly cooler than if your back was also covered. A couple of our guys play that way and simply tolerate the dagger shots to the back, rare as they are.

Hope that helps.

[T. Arndt]

[Craig Shackleton]

I also have a wintertree CoP and I'm just going to comment on a couple of factors. It's been a while since I've worn a breastplate, and I've never worn one for an extended period over mail (as I do frequently with my CoP).

I wear my CoP over mail and a simple tunic and shirt (actually, usually two shirts) without additional padding most of the time. One of my schticks is to let someone swing at me baseball bat style with a longsword to demonstrate the protective qualities, and I strongly feel that padding is not needed underneath. The mail then creates a thin airway between me and the CoP. Obviously I don't get as much breeze as with just mail, but it makes a big difference, where I think that padding tends to block up that airway.

The big thing though, is that I get my CoP tightened as tight as possible over my mail, which pulls the weight of the mail into the body and disperses it. My CoP over mail feels lighter than just wearing the mail alone. The comfort of not having the weight of the mail hanging on my shoulders more than compensates for the increased heat. I did not find this benefit with a breastplate on the few times I briefly wore one over mail. The CoP is way more form fitting.

That said, I will admit that when I take my CoP off after wearing it for more than half an hour or so, there is almost always a mist of perspiration on the inside of the plates.

Just pointing out that there is some give and take in terms of benefits.

I'm planning on buying breastplate or two as loaner gear, so once I've tried that out, I'll try to remember to post my impressions back here.

[T. Arndt]

[William P]

[T. Arndt]

[William P]

yeah i know about it, michael posted the rsults of the test here on myArmoury..

and those were the tests of maile penetration i was referring o regarding the A&A poleaxe..

[T. Arndt]

[Lafayette C Curtis]