Glad to hear you were finally able to get the review up! This sounds like an amazing jacket for intermediate practitioner and beyond. On a side note, I wanted to share a few opinions on what I think may help with future reviews: - After the initial intro, start with an overview of what's going to be discussed throughout the video. It seems like there was an order to the talking points; and a brief overview with a graphic on screen may help keep the attention of the viewer. - Show the item in use (even if just B roll footage). For example, the fitment and freedom of movement was mentioned. I think it would be great to show things like that while talking about them. - Comparisons were made with other jackets that are better suited for different levels of skill/practice. Maybe show a graphic on screen to let the viewer compare them all side-by-side - like a table with the different jackets, who makes them, what they would be best suited for, their prices, etc. I love this channel as a casual observer who has interest in HEMA, and hope it continues to grow and be successful. You guys and gals are awesome!
Given your troubles to get this video up I kinda hate to ask but...if you wonderful folks have time, could you do an updated video on what you'd recommend for a full kit for incoming HEMA/longsword/heavy sparring? I know things have changed on the market since 2017 and its a bit of a nightmare to manage as a beginner trying to use their money wisely. Thanks for all the great videos!
I understand why learning to respect the sword is useful. But I don't get people who wear AP Light to the tournaments. Some people hit hard enough to break your ribs. Yet I've seen fighters wearing jackets as light as Spes Officer to a longsword tournament. Maybe I'll understand this after I've practiced HEMA for 15 years or so, but now it looks crazy to me.
Getting a jacket that is nimble and not so heavy is a good think but neither I understand how do people get that kind of courage to wear a light jacket for longsword fencing.
I've been using light jackets (first a neyman zero, now a spes light) in longsword tournaments for two years now. Been doing HEMA for 6 years. Except for failing gloves, I can't really recall getting hurt in the jacket area, except for a few hits on the lower arms where I've consciously downgraded protection for mobility. I got hurt way more in the first years in my regular jacket than the last years in the light jackets.
The foam that you replaced the stuff that came with the jacket: What kind was it? EVA? I see that you got a custom fit. I was too poor and tried to just go with an XL sized jacket, which is rather tight in the armpit and a bit across the shoulders. Oh, from what I hear around folks in the American Southeast; the AP Light is preferred due to the long hot humid summers here. The regular AP & the "FG" Gambeson Basic are much more protective but may make you drop due to heat stress and are thus less preferred here.
I live in the American Southeast and I can confirm this. AP Pro brings me close to heatstroke in summer despite a high tolerance for heat. AP light is much better. I'll take a few more bruises over passing out/brain damage.
@@mysticmarbles"I'll take a few more bruises over passing out/brain damage." This. So much this. F&^% me is the humidity in the south killing me. I'm from the steppes of Nevada and I'm just not used to air so full of water you can swim through it even though it's been nearly 4 years since I came east. Central AC is the only thing that makes it bearable.
Hi, do you think that AP Light 800N from spes is worth to buy as my first jacket for long sword? Another option is AP 800N (heavy model). I would prefer light one because it has better ventilation and im overheating much :p it is also easier to clean, but it has much less protection :( and here is my question is NG 800N light still worth to buy as first jacket in comparison to heavy one (im planning to buy extra elblows and forearms protectors + chest protector form PBT, regardless of chosen model) One of my hema instructors said that heavy is better and he would never recomended light jacket as first jacket.. but i still dont know.. another instructor (he is training saber) said that it is easy to push some extra protective foam into light jacket. Third instrucror said that light jakcet is good but i will have always some extra bruises. AND 4th one said that light model give no proteciton and it is better to buy heavy one xDD Help! :D
What is the is the issue with “over armouring”, because i’ve only seen or heard the phrase used on this channel? I understand that if you are not afraid of getting hit, it may cause you to not worry about defending yourself and lead to a lot of doubles, but if you can respect the weapon anyway despite being heavily protected then what is the problem?
The thinking is (and I'm not saying wether it's right or wrong) that over protection leads to more serious injuries because of the false sense of security it provides. For example, many consider Rugby less 'dangerous' than American style football. I don't know what the actual statistics say, but that's the theory behind it.
Those who overarmour also tends to be the ones putting way more force in their blows, as they have less fear of increasing the intensity to a level above their control. So they actively promote exactly the fencing they armour up to avoid. Also, the idea that you can ignore your own protection and still respect the weapon is something that I personally don't think works that well. It's fine to try to, but you subconsciously stop worrying after you notice it's not too bad to get hit. And this is something I think happens to everyone, no matter how hard you try not to. I can use myself as an example. I started out with spes heavies as gloves, and those gloves are TANKS. I thought I wasn't relying on armour, but after two years in them I noticed that I was getting hit in the hands, and I simply didn't care. Changed to konings, and in those gloves it hurts when hit. Took me just a few sparring sessions to start getting into the habit of not leaving my hands exposed, since the pain of getting hit was now there. If something is slightly painful, your body learns that it's a bad idea. If you can just tank hits then your body doesn't have to learn, and often the opposite happens.
I am specifically looking for a coat with good arm padding. Especially on the outside of the elbow. I keep watching reviews and wondering if the different coats will work for me.
Glad to hear you were finally able to get the review up! This sounds like an amazing jacket for intermediate practitioner and beyond.
On a side note, I wanted to share a few opinions on what I think may help with future reviews:
- After the initial intro, start with an overview of what's going to be discussed throughout the video. It seems like there was an order to the talking points; and a brief overview with a graphic on screen may help keep the attention of the viewer.
- Show the item in use (even if just B roll footage). For example, the fitment and freedom of movement was mentioned. I think it would be great to show things like that while talking about them.
- Comparisons were made with other jackets that are better suited for different levels of skill/practice. Maybe show a graphic on screen to let the viewer compare them all side-by-side - like a table with the different jackets, who makes them, what they would be best suited for, their prices, etc.
I love this channel as a casual observer who has interest in HEMA, and hope it continues to grow and be successful. You guys and gals are awesome!
Great review. Finally the so call 'curse' was lifted after the fifth one 😅
Given your troubles to get this video up I kinda hate to ask but...if you wonderful folks have time, could you do an updated video on what you'd recommend for a full kit for incoming HEMA/longsword/heavy sparring? I know things have changed on the market since 2017 and its a bit of a nightmare to manage as a beginner trying to use their money wisely. Thanks for all the great videos!
I understand why learning to respect the sword is useful. But I don't get people who wear AP Light to the tournaments. Some people hit hard enough to break your ribs. Yet I've seen fighters wearing jackets as light as Spes Officer to a longsword tournament. Maybe I'll understand this after I've practiced HEMA for 15 years or so, but now it looks crazy to me.
Getting a jacket that is nimble and not so heavy is a good think but neither I understand how do people get that kind of courage to wear a light jacket for longsword fencing.
I've been using light jackets (first a neyman zero, now a spes light) in longsword tournaments for two years now. Been doing HEMA for 6 years. Except for failing gloves, I can't really recall getting hurt in the jacket area, except for a few hits on the lower arms where I've consciously downgraded protection for mobility. I got hurt way more in the first years in my regular jacket than the last years in the light jackets.
Whered you get your foam?
The foam that you replaced the stuff that came with the jacket: What kind was it? EVA?
I see that you got a custom fit. I was too poor and tried to just go with an XL sized jacket, which is rather tight in the armpit and a bit across the shoulders.
Oh, from what I hear around folks in the American Southeast; the AP Light is preferred due to the long hot humid summers here. The regular AP & the "FG" Gambeson Basic are much more protective but may make you drop due to heat stress and are thus less preferred here.
I live in the American Southeast and I can confirm this. AP Pro brings me close to heatstroke in summer despite a high tolerance for heat. AP light is much better. I'll take a few more bruises over passing out/brain damage.
@@mysticmarbles"I'll take a few more bruises over passing out/brain damage."
This. So much this. F&^% me is the humidity in the south killing me. I'm from the steppes of Nevada and I'm just not used to air so full of water you can swim through it even though it's been nearly 4 years since I came east. Central AC is the only thing that makes it bearable.
@@mysticmarbles I live in south florida....I couldn't agree more
great review , I am new to HEMA would this be ok for rapier and sabre use ??? I have been sports fencing for 20+ years
Hi, do you think that AP Light 800N from spes is worth to buy as my first jacket for long sword?
Another option is AP 800N (heavy model).
I would prefer light one because it has better ventilation and im overheating much :p it is also easier to clean, but it has much less protection :(
and here is my question is NG 800N light still worth to buy as first jacket in comparison to heavy one
(im planning to buy extra elblows and forearms protectors + chest protector form PBT, regardless of chosen model)
One of my hema instructors said that heavy is better and he would never recomended light jacket as first jacket.. but i still dont know.. another instructor (he is training saber) said that it is easy to push some extra protective foam into light jacket. Third instrucror said that light jakcet is good but i will have always some extra bruises. AND 4th one said that light model give no proteciton and it is better to buy heavy one xDD
Help! :D
What weapons are you using this with?
What is the is the issue with “over armouring”, because i’ve only seen or heard the phrase used on this channel? I understand that if you are not afraid of getting hit, it may cause you to not worry about defending yourself and lead to a lot of doubles, but if you can respect the weapon anyway despite being heavily protected then what is the problem?
The thinking is (and I'm not saying wether it's right or wrong) that over protection leads to more serious injuries because of the false sense of security it provides. For example, many consider Rugby less 'dangerous' than American style football. I don't know what the actual statistics say, but that's the theory behind it.
There is a category of people in HEMA who think that getting huge bruises several times per week is fine for health.
Those who overarmour also tends to be the ones putting way more force in their blows, as they have less fear of increasing the intensity to a level above their control. So they actively promote exactly the fencing they armour up to avoid.
Also, the idea that you can ignore your own protection and still respect the weapon is something that I personally don't think works that well. It's fine to try to, but you subconsciously stop worrying after you notice it's not too bad to get hit. And this is something I think happens to everyone, no matter how hard you try not to.
I can use myself as an example. I started out with spes heavies as gloves, and those gloves are TANKS. I thought I wasn't relying on armour, but after two years in them I noticed that I was getting hit in the hands, and I simply didn't care.
Changed to konings, and in those gloves it hurts when hit. Took me just a few sparring sessions to start getting into the habit of not leaving my hands exposed, since the pain of getting hit was now there. If something is slightly painful, your body learns that it's a bad idea. If you can just tank hits then your body doesn't have to learn, and often the opposite happens.
I am specifically looking for a coat with good arm padding. Especially on the outside of the elbow. I keep watching reviews and wondering if the different coats will work for me.
The AP light has barely any padding in the arms with the exception of that patch with the foam padding on the upperarm/shoulder area.
uh never thought i'd be this early on a video, nice review