Leather armor saw a lot of change and development throughout history. Always considered to be the "poor man's armor" there were many adaptations it faced. The original method of heating and tempering the leather produced a hardness to the material but it offered minimal protection. Eventually burlap, rawhide and animal skins were added to increase its thickness.

When more powerful weapons began appearing on the battlefield, people began to put studs and rivets into the leather in hopes that the metal pieces would deflect the oncoming blows of swords. This worked with mild success and eventually padding began to appear beneath the leather tunics and vests. Though never as effective as metal armor it indeed served a useful purpose.