Classic Gambeson, Wambais, Aketon (Medium)

This medium size gambeson is made from heavy cotton and is padded from three layers of wool felt. This garment will give full comfort, freedom of movement and protection to the wearer.

The Gambeson, called also the Wambais and Aketon, was a quilted garment, either used as the sole defence by the foot-soldier, or, by the knight, worn under the hauberk (chain mail) to prevent it from bruising the body under the impact of a blow. Many period illustrations also show that chain mail shirts were worn below a gambeson.

The Gambeson, is perhaps the most ancient of all armours and was known to the early Egyptians. It was padded with a soft material such as wool, or tow, or cloth reduced to shreds, which was enclosed between two layers of material and then sewn together. Although offering but little opposition to a lance-thrust or the stab of a dagger, it took most of the power out of a sword cut and could stop an arrow fired from a long range. Against the mace, or a stone from a sling, it was of great use in preventing bones from being broken.

For battle re-enactors, the protection it affords from heavy blunt impacts is superior to that of chain mail worn by itself. If worn under chain mail (as was common back in the day) the protection afforded is quite substantial. The belt shown in the picture is also available, please check our listings.

Medium Size - Will fit an individual with a girth of 30 to 32 inches. Please check our size guide:

FREE DELIVERY TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.