everyday armor

topic posted Mon, July 5, 2004 - 4:36 PM by  Amy Zing
So, it's not every day you're heading into battle with a full suit of chainmail. It's very clanky, and hard to pee.

What do you wear every day as armor?

I have sunglasses, to shield me from the harsh rays of sun that hurt my poor, sad, hung-over eyes. Steel-toed boots, sometimes for kicking, more often to protect my poor toes from being stepped on. A tank top worn under the shirt, so the bastards at my over-air-conditioned workplace can't see my nipples (they don't deserve it). Plus, of course, my rock-hard attitude, that protects me from all manner of jabs and digs that occur in the every-day world.

What do YOU have?

a.
posted by:
Amy Zing
SF Bay Area
  • Re: everyday armor

    Tue, July 6, 2004 - 12:58 AM
    Let me see...

    I've got a simple, grey soft-shell which is lightweight and keeps the elements out. It can serve as an insulating layer underneath a coat for harsher weather conditions.

    I've got a pair of black moccasins which allow me to travel without making much noise but keeps the water out if it starts to rain. If I need to walk longer distances, I've got a trusty pair of sneakers instead.

    I like wearing a nice pair of jeans or cargo pants because I prefer their durability and practicality. Slacks are relegated to formal occasions only.

    While I own a pair of sunglasses I opt not to use them very often. I prefer the clarity of viewing the world with it's natural colors.

    My attitude? Cautious. It's nice to hope for the best but sometimes you still need to prepare for the worst.
  • Re: everyday armor

    Tue, July 6, 2004 - 11:29 AM
    attitude, and a good bra
    • Re: everyday armor

      Tue, July 6, 2004 - 12:00 PM
      Kathryn's everyday armor:

      a big smile
      a silly joke
      combat boots
      a pin and patch encrusted bomber jacket
      ooh hey, and a good bra as well
      • Re: everyday armor

        Thu, July 8, 2004 - 8:47 AM
        I need...

        a steel-toed ego
        a bullet-proof grin
        and my hands swaddled in yellow "CAUTION" tape
        • Re: everyday armor

          Thu, July 8, 2004 - 10:35 AM
          I have some GREAT armor. It's a black leather bag that holds all my high-techy doodads and gizmos. You really don't need a tone generator or an ohms meter for networking, but I usually get an "ooooooh" from my non-tech savvy customers when I run a tone through their new cables. Makes them feel like they're getting their money's worth.
        • Re: everyday armor

          Thu, July 8, 2004 - 1:39 PM
          Every day I spend three hours putting on my: Studded Leather Helmet, Leather Pants, Studded Leather Belt, Ringmail Leggings, Chainmail Boots, Scalemail Protector, Adamantite Platemail Armor, and my Red Cape.
  • Unsu...
     

    Re: everyday armor

    Wed, March 16, 2005 - 12:43 PM
    ...Boots... i was practically born in them, and it's all the footwear anyone would need... I used to be into combat boots, steel-toes, steel foundry boots with the metatarsels, etc., but I always shredded them within 6 months or less - now I've got a nice pair of "Arctic Tracker" boots which are a hybrid between syntetic materials and leather made for active travel in the roughest terrain, and they're great! They've lasted me for over 3 years now. They're big, black, and great for the occasional boot-to-the-ass or head when needed... ;) Plus, they "breathe" really well and don't restrict me when I run in the slightest - they feel like calf-high high-tops... (gotta' love advanced technology)... (Of course, they're a little on the spendy side, @ around $300 when I got them, but it's more than paid for itself just lasting as long as they have)

    Other gear includes:
    -Scratched up cheap sunglasses (with multiple back-up pairs)
    -a pair of neoprene fingerless gloves (for use "in case of emergency")
    -a "plainclothes" black hoody jacket with a custom lining that can stop up to 7.62mm rounds as well as peircing from blades (sorry I can't divuge the materials, yet)
    -a type of "padded leggings" with concealed plating which fits nicely and comfortably under cammies without appearing out of the ordinary...

    And occasionally (if I'm actually expecting trouble), I'll strap on my custom made padded bracers; leather & kevlar with dual-layered & riveted steel and aluminum bars (I was actually dubrious about the use of alumininum and rivets, but it has proven itself pretty effective - the aluminum bars actually work like a "shock brace" for the steel bars - a very muscular person could haul off and swing a heavy sword or baseball bat at full strength and not only won't it bend, I'll barely feel the blow at all - it doesn't even kick your arm back much, but redirects the force (like a martial arts power block) into the object striking it.

    ...And actually, believe it or not, that pretty much IS my every day wear when I'm "out & about" ... lol!
    (But seriously, I don't have what anyone could consider a "normal lifestyle" - I'm self-emplyed, so I don't have to worry abut co-workers [they're all used to it], but I'm regularly involved in "life on the streets" and routinely "hunt" pedopheliacs, rapists, and predatory drug-dealers [the ones who use the hard stuff to "enslave" street kids] trying to keep the city safe for homeless folks who are just trying to get by - I try to work within the law whenever possible, but that doesn't always work on the smart predators who are too careful in their actions).

    So, I wouldn't say that my armor is "clanky" at all... (it wouldn't do to have something make noise when I'm forced to sneak up on my target - because of that, I avoid non-silenced chain or metal plate types of armor)... Actually, because I have to wear it often without raising eyebrows, I've developed quite the "suit" that is quite comfy, all season wear. ;)
    • Unsu...
       

      Re: everyday armor

      Sun, March 27, 2005 - 1:12 PM
      NEAT TRIBE!!!!! I had to join even if just to have the tribe show up in my profile!


      Ok............so you guys are joking though. My everyday armor includes black leather Alpinestar 2-piece leathers, Alpinestar S-MX road race boots, Alpinestar SP2 road race gloves with carbon fiber knuckles, and an old Shoei RF-800 full face helmet. I've tested them and found that they will allow me to slide along asphalt at 50 mph without getting a scratch! (which unfortunately is a lot better than I can say for the steed I was riding at the time)
    • Unsu...
       

      Re: everyday armor

      Fri, June 24, 2005 - 6:55 PM
      Sorry I was too late to respond to this:
      >>> Ok............so you guys are joking though <<<

      I wasn't aware I had a sense of humor about armor - after it's deflected your first knife hit or gunshot, you start to take in a little reverence for why our ancestors used to see armor like a sacred family heirloom...

      "Joke armor" is when I wear the clothes of a hippie over the top of it all... LOL! :)
      • Unsu...
         

        Re: everyday armor

        Wed, July 6, 2005 - 11:08 PM
        >>>I wasn't aware I had a sense of humor about armor...
        .... "Joke armor" is when I wear the clothes of a hippie over the top of it all... LOL! :) <<<

        HAHAHA... thats funny, but whats even more amusing is the fact that he ain't joking... I know from personal experience with this one...
        • Unsu...
           

          Re: everyday armor

          Tue, August 30, 2005 - 9:19 PM
          LOL! Yeah, I know... But I gotta admit that it's come in handy when some jerk punk decided to "go jack a hippie" only to discover that not everything is what it appears to be...

          After all, the best armor is deception.

          If your potential enemy thinks you're one thing, they tend to act in accordance with what their pre-assumed notions of what they think "that kind of person" is bound to behave like.

          This often allows for a "tactical slip" anyone sophisticated at strategy can take full decisive advantage of...

          (Just something to think about when planning your next suit... ;)
  • Re: everyday armor

    Sun, June 19, 2005 - 1:03 PM
    I wear a PACA level III vest, danner acadia boots, underarmour shirt and boxers and carry a k-pot helmet. Also, Oakley shades and sunblock.

    It's hot, heavy and who knows if it'll work when I need it.

    Off duty, just the shades and sunblock. And a level III A vest...

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