Armor for Women

Pelvic Protection *Warning! Possible embarrassment factor ahead!*

For guys, going to the store and grabbing a cup is easy. They can get it in different sizes, colors, and sports styles. But for women, the selection and availability is more difficult. There are several different ways you can find groin protection. Some use maxi pads doubled up (I'm talking the thick cushiony ones here). Others use hardened leather or sometimes metal. I use women's hockey equipment.

The women's cup is called a "pelvic protector" and is sold in sports stores (or may have to be specially ordered) as hockey or martial arts equipment. Mine ran me about $15 U.S. It looks like a big triangle (covers from just under your belly button down) with waist and leg straps.

Metal

Tsukime from Trimaris told me how she made hers with some help from Bokalo's Armory. "This is my measuring method. The best way to figure your size is to take a good fitting pair of underwear (anything but thong and brief will work, hi-cut or hi-thigh is probably best)and using a marker (and a REALLY GOOD friend if you have one) while wearing them, mark off the area you need covered. It is a good idea to use a pair that will comfortably fit over everything you'd be wearing under your protector (Remember underwear is stretchy! If it's too stretched when you make the pattern the final cut won't fit). Take the underwear off, cut out markered part, and there you have your basic pattern. You will probably have to trim up the area that goes between your legs to make up for the transition from fabric to rigid material. Don't trim it up too much before dishing it, because the curve can take up some of it. The last thing you want is for it to be too narrow. Bokalo used the paper pattern method. Starting with a basic shape, holding it up to me, cutting off a bit more paper here and there until it looked right.

The next thing is to dish it out. This will vary from person to person, as everyone curves a little differently. The best trick I can tell for this step is to do a little at a time and check it often. It is always easier to put in a little more dish than it is to take it out.

I haven't figured out the BEST way to mount this yet, but the entire inside is covered with a single piece of blue foam glued to the metal with spray adhesive and has simple nylon webbing straps. I've had a few thoughts and suggestions: using the "old underwear" trick again take apart a pair and, using it as a pattern, make another pair out of heavier fabric with ties instead of elastic. Somebody suggested a similar idea using a light leather too."

As well, Zofija Kadzynska of the East Kingdom says, "These can also be found rather easily in martial arts catalogs and supply stores. For instance, at Century Martial Arts Supply, at http://www.centuryma.com and at Sakura Martial Arts Supply at http://www.sakura-0.com, under groin protection. They have everything from basic to full-blown, super padded, can't-feel-a-thing-even-under-the-hardest-blows "Macho" brand padding. I personally use the in-between version for both heavy combat and (mundane) tournament sparring in Tae Kwon Do. We may not be guys, but it still sure hurts like mad to get kicked there!"

Ask a Question or Post a Comment Here View Comments

Helpful Links

  • Swordmaiden Page for Women Fighters.
  • Popinjay's- Sharp Pointy Object Merchant Crafter.
  • eLeather Supply-Leather, Leather tools, etc.

    Welcome to My World

    Links

  • The SCA Homepage
  • East Kingdom Homepage
  • Northern Shores Region
  • Shire of Lyndhaven

    Armour and Fighting

  • Armor and Weapons
  • (Currently Down)...Lady Knights of the SCA.
  • The Girls' Club BB for Lady Fighters.
  • Swordmaiden page for Women Fighters.
  • Ironrose page for Women Fighters.
  • Ironmonger Armory
  • Truehearth Armory

    SCA Comedy

  • You know you're in the SCA when...
  • Master Efenwealt Wystle's SCA Comedy Music

    Miscellaneous

  • Where I Edit This Page.
    		• Getting hit there hurts for women too!

    Back to Main Page

    Email: [email protected]

    Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

    1