Explore our range of historically accurate medieval arming caps, quilted padded coifs, and padded arming hoods. Crafted from durable canvas, linen, and heavy cotton padding, our head liners are engineered for SCA heavy combat, historical reenactment, and LARP armor setups. Every piece is bench-inspected in the UK to guarantee field durability and maximum combat protection.

“Never place raw steel or heavy chainmail directly against your head unless you enjoy headaches, chafing, and pulled hair. A well-quilted arming cap isn’t an option; it’s the foundation of every helm and maille coif in the field.”
— Osric, Veteran Man-at-Arms

🛡️ Why You Need an Arming Cap & Padded Hood
Before you don a steel helm or slip on a maille coif, proper head protection begins at the scalp. Arming caps (also known as padded coifs or arming hoods) serve three critical functions for reenactors, LARPers, and historical combatants:

Impact Absorption: Multi-layered cotton or canvas quilting cushions blows, distributing blunt force kinetic energy away from your skull.

Chafing & Hair Protection: Acting as a soft liner, it prevents heavy iron rings and interior helmet rivets from rubbing against your skin or catching in your hair.

Helmet Fit & Comfort: Provides the necessary bulk and padding to ensure steel helmets (such as kettles, bascinets, or nasal helms) sit securely without shifting on the march.

⚔️ How to Choose & Wear Your Head Padding
Under Chainmail Coifs: Choose a close-fitting canvas or quilted cotton arming cap. Secure the chin ties snugly so the cap stays fixed while pulling the heavy chainmail coif over your head.

Under Heavy Helms: Pair a thick padded hood with an integrated collar to protect both your head and neck. The padded collar extends past the neckline, bridging the gap between your helm and gambeson.

Sweat & Maintenance: Hand-wash your arming cap after campaign weekends. Made from breathable natural cotton and linen, these caps absorb sweat to keep rust off the interior of your steel gear.