Chainmail vs Zombies?

[Aceman]

Just had someone ask "Wouldn't it be neat if there was some bite-proof, zombie proof coverall or something?"

And that got me to thinking about those Shark proof chainmail suits. Wouldn't those be awesome anti-zombie suits? What say you Zombie combat experts? Or divers? Or fans of Medieval Times? Or Dungeons and Dragons fans...who ever?????

[MrMendigo]

It might help to pass this on to 10 people you know.



See whut I did thar?

[shrimpwd]

Maille (I prefer this spelling) isn't going to protect you much against zombies. It's better for slashing, not bludgeoning or piercing. Also, it's not normally worn on locations that are likely to be bitten. Of course, if you are interested in a shirt of maille, let me know, I make the stuff.

[Gus-Man]

i think you'd be better off with a bite suit like the ones used to train attack dogs...

pretty much designed to be bitten and cause no pain. (yes i am aware that you would look like a total tool trying to run away from a zombie horde dressed in one of these but it is still effective protection until you get swarmed)

[bluesquid]

Hocky goalie gear. tried and true. Saw it in a documentary.

[DynamicRabbit]

True, chainmail is made to protect against slashing, but the human jaw and teeth can't match the penetration power of a katar (punch blade designed for piercing chainmail.) A shark suit is chainmail, and that can stop almost any shark bite, short of a great white.

So yes, chainmail will help against zombies.
http://www.neptunic.com/sharksuits_classic.htm

[mordekin]

Chainmail for zombie defense is probably more overkill than anything else. Yeah it "might" protect from getting bite, but more importantly is it weighs a ton (and yes I have fought in SCA mail) for practical use. You might consider something like a heavy weight denim/canvas coat, or just avoid get bite altogether

[ArmchairWarrior]

A biker's outfit (the anti-roadburn suits that people who race crotchrockets wear) would offer a much better defense. The weight savings and flexibility alone would make it the better choice over maille. I own a riveted maille hauberk, the thing weighs 20 pounds. Even with a belt, all of that weight sits right on your shoulders and can get tiring after a while.

[Finch]

but how are you going to get a zombie to ware chainmail?

[EricinVirginia]

but how are you going to get a zombie to ware chainmail?

Easy, guy puts on chainmail. Feels invulnerable. Gets tired and overly hot. Zombies swarm and bludgeon Mr. Invulnerable to ground where with enough random grabbing and biting, a bite gets through. At some point, viola, chainmail-wearing zombie.

[Finch]

but how are you going to get a zombie to ware chainmail?

Easy, guy puts on chainmail. Feels invulnerable. Gets tired and overly hot. Zombies swarm and bludgeon Mr. Invulnerable to ground where with enough random grabbing and biting, a bite gets through. At some point, viola, chainmail-wearing zombie.

that does make sense now

[bonanacrom]

Carhartt makes work clothes that are pretty much bite proof. I learned that in a bar.

[BullOnParade]

Carhartt makes work clothes that are pretty much bite proof. I learned that in a bar.

I've got a few pairs of these pants, good slash and puncture resistance, and are a well known wardrobe among working class men, so you don't look like a tool while trying to bug out ahead of the masses.

[Finch]

Carhartt makes work clothes that are pretty much bite proof. I learned that in a bar.

I've got a few pairs of these pants, good slash and puncture resistance, and are a well known wardrobe among working class men, so you don't look like a tool while trying to bug out ahead of the masses.

but you wont be able to see me in my Proper multicam pants

[BullOnParade]

Carhartt makes work clothes that are pretty much bite proof. I learned that in a bar.

I've got a few pairs of these pants, good slash and puncture resistance, and are a well known wardrobe among working class men, so you don't look like a tool while trying to bug out ahead of the masses.

but you wont be able to see me in my Proper multicam pants

But if everyone were wearing multicam no one would see each other and wander around bumping into one another ... and then they would start to bump into zombies and we wouldn't be able to see the zombies ... I don't like this at all

[DynamicRabbit]

Carhartt makes work clothes that are pretty much bite proof. I learned that in a bar.

I've got a few pairs of these pants, good slash and puncture resistance, and are a well known wardrobe among working class men, so you don't look like a tool while trying to bug out ahead of the masses.

but you wont be able to see me in my Proper multicam pants

But if everyone were wearing multicam no one would see each other and wander around bumping into one another ... and then they would start to bump into zombies and we wouldn't be able to see the zombies ... I don't like this at all

oh god, multi-cam wearing zombies? We'd be doomed.

[KnightoftheRoc]

Chainmail for zombie defense is probably more overkill than anything else. Yeah it "might" protect from getting bite, but more importantly is it weighs a ton (and yes I have fought in SCA mail) for practical use. You might consider something like a heavy weight denim/canvas coat, or just avoid get bite altogether

+1 on this one. I'm not a SCAdian, but I have also made, worn, and fought in chainmail. Mine was steel, and the hauberk and coif (head gear) weighed in at just under 30 pounds. Using a belt takes SOME of the weight off your shoulders, but it still weighs 30 pounds. All day long. Try wearing a 30 pound pack all day every day, and see how maneuverable you feel.
Also, shark armor is designed to be worn underwater, where the sharks are. Your body and other gear create buoyancy which helps to offset the weight of the armor. The best protection against a zombie bite is to stay out of biting range!

[Tater Raider]

Effective for the parts it covers but heavy as ****. Impractical would be my overall opinion.

[Marinus]

A biker's outfit (the anti-roadburn suits that people who race crotchrockets wear) would offer a much better defense.

^^ this, however, in warm climats overheating would be a problem.

[Silent Kube]

I would think that a maille suit made from aluminum would still provide enough bite resistance without being overly heavy. If the wire were a thick enough gauge of course.

[CitizenZ]

It might help to pass this on to 10 people you know.



See whut I did thar?

[Paffe]

Chainmail + Chainsaw would make a nice combo, maybe I will include this idea to my movie...

[eddie-stark]

I'm with Kube, a set of Aluminium chainmail would be light enough and strong enough for the job and would only need a touch of black paint to win me over.

[andygates]

I hate alu but that's 'cos I just like the extra mass. Mmm, charge!

I can say for sure that mail worn with a padded underlayer (like it's supposed to be worn) is proof against dog bites and small knife stabs. Been there, done that. Zombies have human jaws, which don't open very far - on anything but a small limb it's impossible to close around. So I'd say yes, mail does protect against zombies.