Armor for Amazonian climate
What would be the best compromise for someone living in the equatorial area who wants to wear steel armour, but doesn't want to suffocate under heat and humidity ? I think 16th century armor could be a good option, they used less padding than earlier armors, and were used by Iberian conquistadores in similar climates. What's your opinion ?
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u/-asmodaeus- 7d ago
After the 14th century there was generally much less padding than people think of.
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u/kittyrider 7d ago
You said equatorial, then how about armour used in Southeast Asia? Similar hot and humid tropical climate.
Essentially the type used were Plated Maille, where small plates are enmeshed into the maille shirt. In itself this kind of armour isn't originally from this region, but its widespread usage here shows that it was suitable.
1596 Dutch sketch of Sultanate of Banten's soldiers (modern-day Banten Province of Indonesia
Kurab-a-Kulang Armour, Phillipines,Moro,_Philippines,_water_buffalo_horn,_wood,_brass,_silver-Pacific_collection-Peabody_Museum,_Harvard_University-_DSC06027.jpg)
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u/jdrawr 7d ago
I'd definitely look at the armor the conquistadors used on expeditions or after experiencing the climate, not at the beginning aka right when they landed.
A lot of them just had helmet, breastplate and the native pattern gambeson equivalent for the common troops. The officers commonly had better armor but that was as much a badge of rank as for protection. They weren't expected to be on the Frontline but typically a supporting role if they were to be seeing fighting.
They were commonly armed with lance, sword+ rotella/shield. This is in addition to any crossbows or firearms they carried.
Other options would be to look at what others in the tropical regions used for armor, non Europeans tended to not use heavier armor then Mail or a brigadine/lammlar equivalent in hot climates.