What’s up, everyone? We’ve got a new guy joining our fight crew, and I’m stumped on what armor to recommend for his first set. When I started, I grabbed a cheap helmet and pads, but they were bulky and slowed me down at my first spar. Any tips on a solid starter kit for him? Something that won’t break the bank but keeps him safe?

Hey, that’s awesome you’re helping out the new guy! For a first set, I’d say focus on decent protection that fits well—nothing worse than clunky gear like you dealt with. When I began, I went for a basic breastplate and arm guards, which worked great for training. You don’t need anything crazy fancy to start. If you’re looking for ideas, there’s some cool buhurt armour stuff at https://medievalextreme.com/ that’s worth a peek for inspiration. I’d recommend prioritizing a good helmet and chest piece to keep him safe without overwhelming him. Maybe check what he’s comfy moving in before going all-in. What’s the new guy’s vibe—big on mobility or tank mode?

I don’t do much fighting myself—more into tabletop RPGs and the occasional cosplay—but I love how much care goes into picking out stuff like this. When I made my first cosplay, I spent ages figuring out what materials would look cool but still let me walk around con floors all day. It’s kinda fun thinking about balancing looks and function, like you guys are doing here. Makes me curious about trying a reenactment someday, though I’d probably start with something super light. Anyway, cool discussion!

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