The decline in the use of animal hide as a primary material for military protection marks a significant shift in the history of warfare. Initially, leather offered a readily available and relatively inexpensive means of shielding soldiers from blows and projectiles. Its pliability allowed for construction of armor pieces that conformed to the body, offering a degree of comfort and mobility. Examples of its historical application include cuirasses, bracers, and greaves designed to protect vital areas during combat.
Several factors contributed to the obsolescence of this type of protection. Advancements in metallurgy led to the development of more effective armors crafted from metal. Metal armors, such as plate armor, provided superior resistance against increasingly powerful weapons, including swords, axes, and, later, firearms. The battlefield effectiveness of metal significantly surpassed that of animal hide, offering a greater degree of safety for the wearer. Furthermore, the logistical demands of maintaining leather armor, which is susceptible to degradation from moisture and wear, proved burdensome in comparison to the relative durability of metal counterparts.
