Anvard Leather Greaves

Medieval Shin Guards: The Anvard Leather Greaves

When LARPing or Cosplaying as a medieval soldier, having comfortable and attractive armor is a must. These greaves are great as part of a costume but are also suitable for sparring and practice activities.

The greaves themselves are made of black leather. Because it’s a natural product, there may be some variations in colour and texture. The greaves secure with two adjustable buckle straps that close at the back, so you can adjust the fit if needed.

Not only are these greaves comfortable, but they also look good. The front of each greave features a distressed finish on the upper cuff, and embossed patterns running down the sides. This extra detailing adds a finishing touch on your look, whether you’ve walked out of a medieval textbook or a fantasy novel.

A Brief History of Greaves: From Hoplites to Hockey

One of the great things about these greaves is that they’re functional, so have some level of protection on top of being a stylish addition to a historical or fantasy outfit. This is especially useful if you’re taking part in some hands-on LARPing.

Greaves were developed thousands of years ago and were famously used in Ancient Greece. The Romans also used greaves, which were made from pressed sheet metal which was attached to a lining for comfort.

They were both a status symbol and protective gear, as people recognised that unarmored shins were a fairly vulnerable part of the body. While a blow to the shin might not kill you, it will render that leg useless. In battle, a soldier who couldn’t stand would be helpless.

In medieval times, greaves weren’t used until the 13th century, and were worn over mail. They started out as shin guards but came to encompass the leg. Greaves could be made of either plate or boiled leather.

In modern times, the protective nature of the greaves is still appreciated. Many contact sports involve shin guards, such as hockey, soccer, or baseball.

Tech Specs

The technical specifications of the Anvard Leather Greaves are as follows:

•         Material: High quality 7-8 oz. leather.
•         Colour: Black
•         Greave Length (Laid Flat): 15.7 inches.
•         Greave Width (Laid Flat): 11.4 inches.