SCA Gear

So, now you have an idea of to expect from SCAdian life...but what do you need to live like a SCAdian?

You don't need anything! Most of what you would need you could loan from Gold Key or borrow from someone else. But there are a bunch of things that would be nice to have. The amount you spend on these nicities is totally up to you, no one is going to scoff at being SCAdian on a budget.

Garb

It is a standing rule in the SCA that everyone who attends official SCA events must attempt to dress period. So, how does one dress period.

• Shoes: you can buy fancy period shoes from recreation shops, but a simple pair of leather (or leather looking) sandals would do just as well. Straight or slouched leather boots are common, as well as moccosins or satiny bedroom slippers (for the ladies who want to keep up appearances).
• Tunics: tunics can be worn by men or women, as dresses or as long shirts. They can be plain, with trim, have key hole necklines or scooped necklines, flared sleeves or bottoms or straight. They can be easy and cheap to make (check out easy tunics). Legging can be worn under a tunic, but are not neccessary. Leggings can be knit stockings, stretch pants, or even plaid fleece pajama pants.
• Belt and pouch
• A set of nice garb: There may be times when you will want to wear something to impress, like being at a Kingdom level court. Fancy dresses, doublets (a man's formal vest) , head pieces (like whimpets, circlets, etc...) are common pieces considered formal garb.

Feast Gear

Feast gear is a set of plates, bowls, utensils, drinking vessels, and whatever else you deem as neccessary to being able to eat food at Feast. Most of this is stored in a basket or chest and taken to each event. Many people purchase their feast gear in places like the Salvation Army stores or dollar stores. Bring enough feast gear for you and your guests.

• Plates: wood, metal, or pottery
• Drinking Vessels: tankards, goblets, glasses made from wood, metal, pottery, or glass.
• Utensils: metal, wood, or pottery
• Napkins: cloth is preferred
• Sharp knife and small cutting board
• Tablecloth
• Placemats: cloth or wooden
• Center Piece
• Candle and holder: sometimes oil lamps, lanterns, or candlabras

Camping Gear

While not every event is a full weekend, and while you might preferr to go home, some people like to camp overnight at events. Far fewer people do period camping, than people who work on period garb, but a well-done period encampment is one of the things that will keep me going to Pennsic every year!

• A tent: Period tents or pavillions are rather expensive for the common person. They can last many years when taken care of properly, but they do take a lot of care. They are an investment in time and SCA life. A modern backpacking tent would do just fine in most circumstances.
• Extra tent stakes
• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Blankets
• Tarps: one for under your tent and maybe one to try and make an extra rain covering
• lanten: you can try using a period lantern, like an oil lantern or a tea light lantern, but in the middle of the night, when nature is calling the last thing you would want to do is mess around trying to get your lantern lit.
• Tent rope and rope flags
• Food for snacks and breakfast: it's unusual that breakfast is served at an event.
• Warm sleeping clothes
• An extra set of clothes (tents can flood easily)
• Plastic bags: for garbage, wet or dirty clothes, left over food, etc...

Other Event Gear

These are non-essentials, but things that you sometimes really wished you brought as an after thought.

• Suntan lotion
• sunglasses
• Something to do for fun, like a small project or hobby you have.
• Book
• Deck of Cards or other portable game
• Duct Tape
• Extra propane (if you plan on bringing you own grill)
• Camp Soap
• Towels
• Baby wipes (great for quick clean up when you are far from facilities)
• Tissues
• Coolers
• Drinks and Snacks (Jerky or nuts are good quick protein snack for fighters)
• small tool set
• Knife
• extra film
• extra batteries
• Pen and Pad (so you can call the special Lord or Lady you just met!)

Gear for the Fighter

This list is a very general one, for more specific lists of required gear for fighting please contact your local marshalls or the SCA guide for martial combat.

• List legal armour for the head, torso, arms, hands, neck, and legs.
• Appropriate groin protection and accessories
• List legal weapon(s)
• List legal shield (if desired)
• Your authorization card (if you have one)
• An extra set of anything you need to make or repair your armour or weapon.
• Bandana
• Something to drink or to drink from
• Plastic tote to lug everything around in
• Surcoat or tabard (for over the armour)
• Belt with your consort's, local group's, or Kingdom's favor('s)
• Emergency information cards

Things not to Bring to an Event

still coming......