Open European sabatons for buhurt foot protection

Open European sabatons provide segmented toe and instep coverage for full-contact medieval combat. The open-back design straps to your existing footwear, reducing heel interference during steps, pivots, and lunges. Articulated plates follow the foot roll to keep movement practical and avoid “biting” the ankle line. Geometry is based on European sabaton analogues from the 14th–15th centuries, adapted for regular impact use. For tournament gear checks, correct assembly and strap condition matter; final approval depends on the league ruleset and the inspector’s decision.

Select the material type.

Type	SKU	Price
Tool steel	(Al10-01)	$170
Hardened steel	(Al10-02)	$200
Titanium	(Al10-03)	$300

Product description

Open European sabatons are foot protection for buhurt and other full-contact formats where toe and instep coverage is commonly required. The build is segmented: overlapping plates handle impact and glancing contact while keeping articulation for footwork.

The “open” back is designed to work with your own shoes: the sabaton straps on without enclosing the heel, which helps reduce conflicts during steps, turns, and short accelerations. Articulated lames follow the foot roll so you can keep stance changes and knee lifts without a hard stop at the ankle.

Protection: toe and instep closure with overlapping segments to manage direct and sliding hits.
Mobility: articulation tuned for walking, pivots, and quick entries without excessive ground catching.
Fit: geometry considers typical foot/shoe shapes; straps let you tune tension without implying fully custom body-by-body measuring.
Serviceability: straps and hardware are replaceable consumables; individual segments can be maintained separately.

Historical basis: oriented on European sources and period analogues of late-medieval sabatons (14th–15th c.) with practical adaptations for modern repeated impact use.

Many leagues and rule sets (e.g., HMB, IMSF and others) treat foot armor as mandatory. These sabatons are made to meet common expectations for coverage and safety, but tournament acceptance depends on the current rules, chosen configuration/thickness, build quality, and the inspector’s decision at check-in.

Use and upkeep: periodically inspect straps, rivets/hinges, and edges after hard sessions. Keep the shoe upper robust and ensure the strapping does not saw into the flex point during foot roll.