Armor Vest

Lore & Background

Ichcahuipilli armor was a lightweight, multifunctional garment worn on the torso of the warrior, designed to provide blunt-force trauma protection against clubs and batons, slash protection from obsidian macuahuitl, and projectile protection from arrows and atlatl darts. Ichcahuipilli were made of successive layers of packed cotton, and sewn in diamond-shaped patterns. Wearers usually wore the ichcahuipilli directly on their skin, however, the most experienced warriors, especially those of the orders of eagle and jaguar warriors, used it to complement a tlahuiztli suit.

Upon contact with a shot projectile, the dense fibrous materials of the vest would absorb the energy of the shot and dissipate it on a much larger area, stopping the bullet or arrow in the vest. Atlatl darts in particular were found to regularly penetrate European chainmail. Ichcahuipilli was so effective at stopping arrows, darts, and even lead musket shot, Spanish soldiers often discarded their own, heavier plate armor, which was uncomfortable in the warmer, moist Mexican climate and prone to rust, in favor of indigenous armor which was lighter and comparatively maintenance-free.

Reader's Guide

Most ichcahuipilli were made in a vest style that covered the torso down to the hips; however, various other designs were made and worn by Aztec soldiers of different ranks and warrior societies. The armor came in sleeved variations or in surcoat designs that covered most of a warrior's body down to the knees.