Roman soldiers rarely wore their metal armour directly against the skin; the subarmalis, a padded garment worn underneath the lorica hamata, lorica segmentata, or lorica squamata, both cushioned the impact of blows and prevented the constant chafing that metal plates and rings would otherwise cause. Sculptural and archaeological evidence shows it was worn across the ranks, from simple linen or leather versions for ordinary legionaries to more elaborately decorated garments with multiple rows of pteruges for centurions and officers. This reproduction recreates that essential base layer in authentic leather.
Leather Subarmalis
The subarmalis was worn beneath the lorica or a mail shirt, its padded construction protecting the wearer’s skin from chafing against the metal armour worn over it. Made of authentic leather in a historically re-enacted design, this piece is fully wearable and genuinely comfortable for extended use. An essential base layer for any Roman legionary or officer impression built around a metal cuirass.
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