Portal:Equipment Reviews
Weapons
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Armour and Protective Equipment
Gloves
- Reebok 5K Lacrosse Gloves
Price: $50-75
Pros - Excellent dexterity, light, adequate padding for up to medium speed.
Cons - Top of index and bottom of pinky fingers lack protection (like most Lacrosse gloves)
Additional notes - Get a size larger so that padding on fingertips overhang instead of stretch. Also, have a cobbler add thick sectioned (for articulation) leather to outside of Index and Pinky fingers.
- from Chris Chow
Chest and Shoulders
- Oceanic Creations Body Armour Type W2M
Price: $60
Advantages:
1. Cheap. Depending on where you buy it, they can range as low as $40-$100 (although some of the better ones can go up to $200). 2. They're not as warm as gambesons and fighting jackets. It's still not as cool as fighting in a shirt, but it definitely gives you more ventilation than a full jacket. 3. It's pretty tough. I've taken quite a few hits on it but all I have is a few light scratches. No dents or cracks or anything yet. It has rigid plastic over hard foam, so I feel pretty protected in it (as long as I don't get hit in the weak spots - which I will talk about in a bit). 4. It's more aesthetically cohesive (in my opinion anyway) than the usual mix and match lacrosse/hockey gear we usually wear. And it comes as one piece, so no need to buy separate shoulder pads and elbow pads and forearm bracers.
Disadvantages:
1. It has quite a few weak spots. In particular the collarbone area, inner arms, and armpit. I've since remedied that by putting on some mouse pads on those areas. Still considering whether I should put some rigid protection on top of the mouse pads (like leather or plastic). So far the mouse pads have worked decently though. 2. It wasn't built for the movements of a swordfighter. I found I had to do a bit of needlework and superglue-ing to adjust my armor so it moved the way I wanted it to. Good news is that I'm pretty terrible with a needle, so if I can do it then anyone can. =) 3. It doesn't look historically accurate. It's not a big deal for me, but I sometimes feel funny fighting with a sword when I look like Robocop.
- from Ric Tanseco
- Brine Trance HD Shoulder
Price: $75-120
Pros - Excellent dexterity, light, adequate padding for up to medium speed. Hard plastic armour in shoulders and arms (rare, when most equipment is just foam padding). Comfortable with plastic fencing chest protection underneath (always used in unison).
Cons - Foam in chest. Minimal protection from thrusts. Minor interference with gorgets when in high guards. No rib, kidney or hip protection (Brine Trance Rib/Hip protection available ($50-70).
Additional notes - Recommended with Brine Trance HD Arm Guards as a set; since mix-matching shoulder and arm protection may cause interferences, gaps or overlap.
- from Chris Chow
Arm and Elbows
- Brine Trance HD Arm / Elbow
Price: $50-80
Pros - Excellent dexterity, light, adequate padding for up to medium speed. Hard plastic armour (rare, when most equipment is just foam padding).
Cons - Placement shifts occasionally. Like most Lacrosse elbow protection, it is recommended to tighten the straps at the Forearm and loose at the bicep. Does not attach to Shoulders. Too open at the cubital fossa but more protection than other brands.
Additional notes - Recommended with Brine Trance HD Shoulder pads as a set; since mix-matching shoulder and arm protection may cause interferences, gaps or overlap.
- from Chris Chow
