Filters
Recently viewed products
Vambraces & Couters
Vambraces and couters are the plate armor pieces that protect the arm from mid upper arm to wrist. Whether you are buying a complete vambrace assembly or adding a standalone couter to bridge a gap in an existing kit, this is where arm armor gets serious.
What Are Vambraces?
A vambrace is a full arm harness from mid upper arm to wrist, combining three components into one cohesive assembly. The rerebrace covers the upper arm. The couter protects the elbow joint. The lower cannon encloses the forearm down to the wrist where the gauntlet begins.
Together these three elements move with the arm rather than against it. A well-fitted pair of vambraces does not impede combat movement in any meaningful way, but adds complete coverage across the full length of the arm and transforms the silhouette of a kit in a way that no shorter piece can replicate. They are the definitive arm armor choice for LARP players building toward a serious harness and reenactors working on a historically accurate impression.
What Is a Couter?
A couter is a standalone elbow plate: the piece that covers the joint between the upper and lower arm. In a full vambrace assembly the couter is already integrated. As a standalone piece it fills a different role: adding elbow coverage to a kit that already has some arm protection, or serving as an accessible entry point into plate arm armor before committing to a full assembly.
A well-designed couter has a pronounced central dome that deflects blows away from the point of the elbow, with wings extending to either side to cover the gaps where upper and lower arm meet. For LARP players building incrementally, a standalone couter is often the piece that makes a partially assembled arm kit suddenly look intentional.
From Milanese Knights to Norse Raiders: The Full Range
The Captain and Soldier Arm Protection are the most accessible entry points: complete vambrace assemblies with clean military silhouettes that work across the broadest range of character types. The Landsknecht Vambraces reference the dramatic 16th century German mercenary tradition, with the Yoremade 1.6mm version offering heavier gauge construction for reenactors prioritizing material authenticity. The Gothic Arm Protection draws on the angular, fluted plate style of 15th century southern Germany, a strong choice for historical and high fantasy knight builds alike.
Jack Chains sit apart from the rest. Rather than solid plate, they are a mail-based arm defense: lighter and more flexible than full plate, suited to infantry, archers, and fighters who need arm protection without the weight of a full vambrace assembly.
On the standalone couter side, the Milanese Couter pairs naturally with any Milanese-influenced harness. The Floating Elbow prioritizes articulation and standalone wearability across the widest range of kit combinations. The Enclosed Arm Protection extends beyond the elbow joint itself, bridging the gap between a standalone couter and a more complete arm assembly.
Choosing the Right Piece
Full assembly or standalone. If you want complete arm coverage from mid upper arm to wrist, vambraces are the answer. If you already have bracers and want to add elbow coverage, a standalone couter is the more targeted approach.
Fit across multiple points. Vambraces have more attachment points than most other armor pieces. Take both upper arm and forearm measurements before ordering, as both need to work for the assembly to move correctly.
Matching your kit. Arm armor reads best when consistent in finish and aesthetic with the chest and shoulder pieces above it. Use finish as your guide and character type as your starting point for style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between vambraces and bracers? Bracers cover the forearm only. Vambraces cover the full arm from mid upper arm to wrist, incorporating a rerebrace, couter, and lower arm plate as a single integrated assembly.
Do I need a couter if I have vambraces? No. A full vambrace assembly already includes an integrated couter. Standalone couters are for builds that have bracers or partial arm protection but need elbow coverage without committing to a full vambrace.
Can I wear vambraces without pauldrons? Yes. Vambraces attach independently via straps and do not require shoulder armor to function, though pauldrons above and gauntlets below are the natural companions for a complete arm harness.
How do I maintain steel arm armor? Wipe down after use to remove moisture and apply a light coat of oil periodically to prevent rust. Condition the leather straps with leather balm once or twice a year to keep them supple at the attachment points.