How to Measure Yourself – So You’ll Love the Final Result

For over 15 years we’ve been making custom historical gear for reenactors, collectors, and professionals around the world – from footwear and clothing to armor. One thing we’ve learned over time is simple:

Great craftsmanship is only half the story. The other half is good measurements.

That’s why we’ve prepared clear measuring instructions – and we’re also attaching drawings that will guide you step by step. Follow them carefully and everything will fit exactly the way it should.

Armor – Measure in Your Full Kit

If you’re ordering Lorica Segmentata, measure yourself wearing everything you plan to have underneath. That usually means a tunic or a subarmalis. If you don’t own a subarmalis yet – no problem, we can make one for you. In the meantime, use two thick sweatshirts to simulate the padding.

Very important: Do not add extra centimeters yourself.

We already include the necessary construction allowance when building your armor. If you add extra space and we add ours – the armor will simply be too big.

How to measure for a lorica manica?

If you’re ordering something like a Lorica Manica, please send: your wrist and arm circumference and length from wrist to shoulder Simple and precise – that’s all we need.

How to measure for a subarmalis and for lorica segmentata?

Measurements III and D apply only to subarmalis versions equipped with pteryges. If the subarmalis is ordered without pteryges or if you order lorica segmentata these measurements are not necessary.

Footwear – Let the Foot Do Its Job

We’ve made several hundred pairs of historical shoes over the years. One thing is certain – your foot needs room to move naturally.

If you plan to wear nalbinding socks – measure your foot barefoot.

Why?

For every closed shoe, we automatically add about 1–1.5 cm of internal space. This allows comfortable use with socks or without.

So please don’t compensate for thickness yourself – we’ve already thought about it.

How to measure for a shoes?

1. Stand upright on a sheet of paper (A4).
2. Hold the pencil vertically (at a 90° angle to the paper). Carefully trace the outline of your foot.
3. Measure the maximum distance between the heel and the longest toe (points A–B). This measurement determines the base size of the footwear.

Please measure both feet and provide the measurement of the larger one.

Roman Tunics – Don’t Slim Down Antiquity

Roman tunics from the 1st century were wide by design. Iconography clearly shows that they were not fitted garments.

As a general rule, the width should be roughly the span: from elbow to elbow, when you stand in a “T” position.

After putting it on, the tunic should be belted, adjusted and properly draped. Trust the cut. Don’t add extra width “just in case.” We know how these garments are meant to work.

Barbarian Clothing – Trousers Need Accuracy

For barbarian-style garments, especially trousers, correct measurements are crucial.

Please carefully measure:

waist circumference
hip circumference
full leg length

Everything is clearly explained in the attached instruction drawings. Follow them step by step and you’ll be perfectly fine.

How to measure for a longsleeve tunic?

How to measure for a bracae?

Measurements taken using this guide are suitable for both Roman and barbarian styles of trousers (bracae). They apply equally to reconstructions intended for a Roman legionary as well as for various barbarian interpretations.

Helmets and Other Gear

When ordering a helmet, we need:

the largest circumference of your head
measured above the temples, at the widest point

Don’t measure too high or too low. Just find the widest point and measure it firmly but not too tightly.

Why isn’t this a typical online store?

More Than a Website