Equipment and Armor

[Tomsdad]

Originally Posted by Drakyrias

Except encumbrance is focused on weight, and I'm worried about bulk. Basic specifically mentions that wearing armor doesn't make it harder to move if you know how to wear it, but the armored overcoat from high tech also specifically counters that statement.

I'm just trying to figure out if there is a any kind of comprehensive system based on tech level and protection value that I can use as a gauge for when and how much penalty to apply for bulk from such things. I'm getting the general sense that weight and encumbrance is it though.

Well and layering if you layer. The thing is armour was designed to not give such penalties if at all possible. (So I guess the rules for badly fitting armour may tangentially qualify for what you are looking for).

As to the bulk/weight split, if you think a particular item would be made harder to carry or wear due it bulk rather than is weight, than I'd rule on a case by case basis. E.g is some insisting on carrying 3 floor lamps at the same time. or less extreme just badly packed stuff (which I thought there was rules for but cant find right now)

[weby]

Originally Posted by Bruno

I more think of saftey boots - steel toes, armored shanks, and puncture protection from beneath. Those are not really subtle.

What do you mean they are not subtle?

There are safety shoe versions that have all the basic protective features(steel toe, stepping puncture protection, anti static, anti-oil and so on) but look like normal sport shoes and others that look at first glance like normal shoes, though they have a thicker bottom than normal, but one would have to look closely to notice the thing.

[corwyn]

Originally Posted by weby

What do you mean they are not subtle?

There are safety shoe versions that have all the basic protective features(steel toe, stepping puncture protection, anti static, anti-oil and so on) but look like normal sport shoes and others that look at first glance like normal shoes, though they have a thicker bottom than normal, but one would have to look closely to notice the thing.

Yup, used to wear a pair of these when I worked in a rough bar.