Padded Shirt

I like that I can open up the chest so if it gets hot I'm also comfortable. I really like the feel.

I own two of these; one in S/M, the other L/XL.  I bought the S/M first and was extremely disappointed to find that it is in fact NOT a padded gambeson.  Just a rather plain bodied shirt with LIGHTLY padded sleeves and collar; the shirt itself is plain cloth.  It is a nice looking piece, and I wore it as part of a faire harness; with an undertunic, tunic and this 'gambeson', it was sufficient to offer some comfort while wearing a full maille hauberk with a surcoat overlaying it all.  The decorative string on the arms often got caught up in the links of said hauberk, or the rivets would tear at it and it would get greasy from the maille and from sweat- but it served its purpose.
One deal of the day offered the leather vest that this shirt was made to accompany, so I bought another of these shirts to wear with it.  Then somewhere along the line, the Robert Brigandine debuted and I thought that might make a better ensemble than with the original leather vest, so I bought that as well.  And it does go well with it.
Mind you, this garment has no real place in a fighting harness, it simply offers little to no protection other than to keep whatever you're wearing from rubbing against your skin but there are other, much better products if you're a medieval fighter/re-enactor.  However you WILL look good in this- it is a nice looking costume piece, so there's that.

PLEASE bring back the leather jerkin that matches this shirt!
Great base layer or standalone -- great with mesh, chainmail, or leather and truly provides all day comfort either way.

A few things to know about the current build of this shirt:

1. The padding in the arms and high collar have been improved, no crinkling.

2. The "Nordic String design" on the sleeves is a tan bailing-twine-type of string, not the white smooth looking string as shown in the photo. Not horrible, and it actually looks a little more appropriate for the shirt. It snags easily, so be wary. Still really awesome, though.

3. The sleeve padding material is coming through every hole that the string design has been run through. This doesn't bother me, but others may find it undesirable.

4. The sleeves are slightly tight (I ordered L/XL and I don't have huge biceps or anything...trust me), and the seams at the armpits will not hold up to LARP/Stage combat. Not a deal breaker for just regular faire outfit wear. Just be aware the arm stitching will not hold up to over-the-head axe swings and or sword parrys.

5. You're going to get this shirt dirty VERY quickly. It soaks up body sweat and dust and dirt. That's okay, the medieval era was a dingy time. ;-)

Overall, I really do like this shirt. The arm padding gives the impression of a full gambeson when worn under a tunic/tabard, yet the lighter material for the rest of the shirt keeps it from being an oven when worn to festivals in the summer. If you purchase with all of this in mind, you will enjoy this item immensely. I know I do!

It is very nicely made. It isn't padded on the chest (just the arms); so it will be nice for the hot summer weather.

Was attracted by the 20% discount annual sale....price was $47.....went to purchase and the $47 was only for size XXL and if you didn't look carefully, you're charged $58 for size L which is the same price their competition charges without a sale

Love this shirt, I just wish the accompanying leather jerkin came in XXL... Pity really...

This is a decent shirt - but definitely not padded (except the sleeves, as has already been stated). I sent mine back b/c said crinkly stuffing (some sort of processed plastic?) was coming through with the lovely threads on the sleeves.  Recreate this shirt in heavier materials, use a more natural padding, and this would be a winner.

Cheap crap. I was under the impression this was going to be a historically accurate, soft thick-cheesecloth like cotton fabric.. (something they would have used in historic times).. instead I get a shirt made for a thin-shouldered fat guy that feels (and sounds, when you squeeze the padded sleeves.. crinkle crinkle) like its made out of recycled milk jugs. Their measurements are off. way off. Yes, I checked the sizing guide several times before I ordered. If I block with a shield and counter with a sword simultaneously the shirt is either going to rip or I'm going to be unable to perform said counter. If the shirt were historically accurate and made from cotton, not this machined canvas crap, this wouldn't be an issue. Come to think of it, canvas has more stretch than this machined junk. Oh and to top it off no sooner had I taken the shirt out of the plastic than I noticed several unraveling threads on the right arm where the white meets the brown. Makes for a hole where the plastic sleeve stuffing could come out.
I can honestly say I have never purchased something so misrepresented in my entire life. Sure, it looks nice.. but you wouldn't want to live there, if you catch my meaning. Unless you're built like a pear.. thin on top and thick in the middle. Then you should be fine.

Nicely made. Goes well with the leather jerkin.

Very comfortable and fits well. Goes great with my crusader tunic.

Beautiful shirt came professionally packaged and arrived promptly. At 6'6, 200lbs. I ordered the L/XL and it fits properly not at all baggy. Style of the shirt is very clean and noble. Off white color is perfect with the brown accents. As mentioned before only sleeves are padded and I would not wear this shirt into combat. Makes a superb renn faire piece or addition to your LARP costume. Very pleased with my purchase and I will definitely do business with this company again.

This is a great product. The only reason it's not getting 5 stars from me is...

1. The shirt has many modern features that keep it from being a true period garment. (metal eyelets, machine stitching, cotton fabric.)
2. Upon receiving it I found that one of the decorative threads on the sleeve was ripped out.
3. As others have stated, the description is misleading in that only the sleeves are padded. (They are not so padded as to provide adequate protection for combat.)

2 and 3 aren't so much an issue for me considering I'm going to be using this as a non-combat cool weather gambeson to wear under armor in the California heat.
It serves the cool weather function very well and I resigned the decorative threading to an early grave before I ever ordered it. It's not nearly so bad as to warrant a return of the garment.

All of that might sound like a bad review, but it isn't. It's earned every one of the 4 stars I am giving it.
This is a fantastic looking shirt that serves my purposes well and comes at an amazing price. It's very sturdy as a costume piece and gives an unmistakable air of nobility to the wearer.

Shirt is well made but description does not say that the arms only are padded. Looks good but the description is misleading.