Gambeson with/without detatchable sleeves?

Question

Hello, I am probably going to buy my first gambeson sometime this or next year from an online store and as I'm eyeing the options I'm wondering about detatchable sleeves.

One option has fixed, long sleeves and I like how the protection is fixed there, no openings and I can't even properly describe how it just feels a bit more official to me. But since it's my first, what if the sleeves might be restrictive, annoying or if I get overheating issues which become unbearable... (I typically take heat very well.)

The other one has detatchable long or short sleeves "in the box" and I really like the option to have or not have sleeves at my leisure but:

  • I don't think I am a fan of the hole in the armpit it leaves (supposedly it's great for ventilation but to me it feels like a hole in your favorite pair of pants. Plus mosquitoes like me and I would really prefer to not get a bite because it's uncovered in summer.),
  • I wonder if it doesn't make the gambeson a bit less protective around the shoulder area where it connects to the torso piece and
  • I'm afraid of the area where it ties in would get ripped if I get pulled a bit hard a few times.

I plan to use it for whatever happens to require it. If I get back into HEMA I might pull it out. Use it on some LARP battles, fairs at a castle somewhere, etc. And I plan to make my own chainmail to go on top afterwards so it probably won't get ultra-heavy use.

Posted Nov 14, 2025, 1:49 PM UTC

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