1st Build Material Recomendations

[Amazing Mezmer]

Hello!

As the title states I'm planning on starting on my first cosplay sometime soon (Spartan 3, Reach Mark 5B) and am looking for recommendations for both armor and techsuit material.

The techsuit needs to be (in order of importance):
Breathable and not get too hot
Easy to take on and off
Offer good flexibility
Be as close to accurate as possible

For the armor pieces I was thinking foam but I am open to suggestions for better options, all it needs to be is relatively comfortable, light and easy to work with.

Thank you for any help.

 

[Cadet]

Our Tutorial Index:

Tutorial Index

Tutorial Index Who can make a Tutorial? A: Anyone How do I make a tutorial? A: Create a thread in any part of the forum you think your tutorial pertains to such as Costume, Props, Soft Parts etc. How do I get the tutorial in the Tutorial Section? A: start a conversation with me or any staff...

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What's Your Undersuit Thread:

What's Your Undersuit?

The 2nd entry in the hit series "What's your _____" is What's Your Undersuit? Plenty of people are asking so throw a picture of your costume, what you used and link (please be sure to embed it in text so it does not fill the page) I'll make a sample to show it off! Costume: clothing used...

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Reach/Infinite Ab Wrap by N8TEBB

N8TEBB's Mk 7 Build!!!!!

I want to make a mk 7 suit this summer. I'm going in with a bit of a plan but really I plan on making it up as I go along. This is what I want my spartan to look like when all is said and done: I think the shoulders will be different, maybe the handplates, and different paint job on the gun...

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"Greatest Hits" of Member made Undersuits:

Foam - Ranger's Halo: Reach Build

Helmet's all wired now! Got 2 individually controlled fans and the wireless mic all hooked up :) Stashed a spare battery in my thigh... just in case.

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Pipninja's Reach Spartan Undersuit

So finally the time has come where I show my process of making my Reach undersuit!! First and foremost, I want to give initial credit to WandererTJ , Because He is the one who made the pepakura model of the undersuit that I used to make my patterns, and KitKatGoose , Who I originally got the...

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Reach Jun Build (Foam/fibreglass + custom undersuit)

In depth tutorial for undersuit on page 9 Finished suit

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Detailed Reach armor + Undersuit

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Foam - Jerverant's MkVII · Anubis

indeed they are! but i am a lowly noob in this fine craft

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Foam - Monker’s Mk 7 build

So I started doing an unfold for the Mk 7 undersuit and intended for it to be a prototype… never intended to start a new build but you guys know how that always turns out. I am using TNT 4mm foam for these pieces. I built this with flexibility in mind. Each panel has nylon webbing between...

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1st Build - 3D Printed Halo 3 'Finish the Fight' Chief/Spartan Build

Hey everyone, I'm Mitch I'm an Australian cosplayer who got into cosplaying specifically to make a Halo 3 Master Chief costume a few years ago. Back then I decided to make a clone trooper costume at the last second as I had no previous 3d printing, painting or general costume-making experience...

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Our "Foam Guide:"

Foam Guide

Contributors: RandomRanger , Fallen Introduction This is a tutorial targeted at beginners to help understand what EVA foam is, the different types of EVA foam available, how and where to buy EVA foam, and some basic tips/tricks/and tools for working with EVA foam. Index What is EVA foam? What...

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N8TEBB 's YouTube Guide for Foam Armor:

 

[N8TEBB]

Hello!

As the title states I'm planning on starting on my first cosplay sometime soon (Spartan 3, Reach Mark 5B) and am looking for recommendations for both armor and techsuit material.

The techsuit needs to be (in order of importance):
Breathable and not get too hot
Easy to take on and off
Offer good flexibility
Be as close to accurate as possible

For the armor pieces I was thinking foam but I am open to suggestions for better options, all it needs to be is relatively comfortable, light and easy to work with.

Thank you for any help.

Cadet linked a TON of useful resources to look through. I would point you in the direction that Jeverant, Pipninja, and myself took when tackling the tech suit. We mainly focused on just the section around the abdomen. While this isn't the most breathable thing in the world, it's about as good as you can get for something like this. Being just a small ab wrap allows air to come up from underneath and through the top. You can easily take it on and off if you make it so it secures with Velcro or a Zipper at the back.

The general method is to construct the geometry out of thin EVA foam and wrap it with faux leather. If you can find 4-way stretch fabric this works nicely. I used non-stretchable fabric and found that it was a challenge to get the faux leather to evenly cover the foam without causing wrinkles.

An Ab-wrap will limit your flexibility a bit... but it does still allow you quite the range of motion. I am able to sit down, lay down, and get off the floor without help. Because it covers just a small section between the torso armour and the cod piece it means most of your upper half is still able to have a decent range of motion.

As for the armour pieces themselves if you're looking for comfort then foam construction is the way to go. Having certain parts able to flex and give way to your movements will allow you to be able to wear the armour for many many hours. Foam also helps for comfort because it is much lighter than 3D printed armour. If you want to look into foam construction then check out my video that cadet linked above. Hopefully it will give you a good idea of what's involved in creating foam armour.