The Intriguing Mandalorian and Mandalorian Armor

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The Mandalorians are rarely seen in the Star Wars universe, therefore the new Disney+ series may be new to some viewers. That's especially the case since the Mandalorians - aside from Boba and Jango Fett - aren't important in the Skywalker Saga. Apart from that, the Mandalorians have a strong presence in other forms of media, like cartoons, books, and video games.

The Mandalorians

Mandalorian culture has its beginnings in the original Star Wars trilogy with Boba Fett. The heavily-armored bounty hunter who aims to capture Han Solo is associated with the species because of his iconic Mandalorian armor. So while Boba Fett isn't actually a Mandalorian, he is responsible for expanding their reputation in the galaxy. Though depicted as a villain, the highly-trained mercenary has gained a big amount of popularity.

Boba Fett

Apart from the Mandalorians’ mysterious identity, the Mandalorian costume and armor are also a fan favorite topic.

Why do fans like costuming as a Mandalorian, as opposed to other characters?

It’s a very intriguing question, many fans say that it allows them to put a character of their own into the Star Wars universe. Mandalorians have always been a culture highly identified by their individualism and ingenuity. Those who do the Mandalorian armor can identify with that sense of individualism, while also embracing the imaginations to create a personalized character.

For many Mandalorian costumers, creating Mandalorian characters is more than just a costume. It gives us the freedom to be unique, and think outside the box.

Mandalorian Armor

Mandalorian Armor

But what exactly is Mandalorian armor? It referred to the traditional armor worn by the human warrior clans of the planet Mandalore. Common traits included a helmet with a T-shaped visor that concealed their faces, and armaments like whipcord throwers, flamethrowers and jetpacks.

The Mandalorians' bloody history made their armor an iconic symbol of fear. The bounty hunter Jango and his cloned son Boba Fett wore customized Mandalorian armor, although neither of the Fetts was Mandalorian warriors.

Boba Fett and the Mandalorian

Generally, the armor was made from beskar, a highly durable metal which could repel blasterfire and lightsaber strikes while giving the maximum protection, although variants made from durasteel and other lesser materials were frequently utilized. Due to the durability of the beskar metal, some armor sets were hundreds of years old.

History of Mandalorian Armor

The ancient Mandalorian crusaders wore helmets over cloaks. The Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders also wore helmets. After encountering the Jedi during the early crusades, the Mandalorian-Jedi War began and it was during this period that the Mandalorians created their signature armor, weaponry, and fighting style in order to combat the Jedi Knights and their Force abilities.

The Intriguing Mandalorian and Mandalorian Armor

Mandalorian Neo-Crusader

Jango Fett wore Mandalorian armor, though Prime Minister Almec decrying Fett as nothing but a bounty hunter. The Kaminoans who cloned him to create the Grand Army of the Republic took inspiration from his suit for the clone trooper armor.

After Fett was killed by Jedi Master Mace Windu during the Battle of Geonosis, his helmet was used by Boba as a bomb in an attempt on Windu's life. By the Age of the Empire, Boba had acquired his own Mandalorian armor.

Boba Fett and Jango Fett

Parts of Mandalorian Armor

Traditional Mandalorian armor consisted of a helmet, shoulder pauldrons, vambraces, breastplate, codpiece, knee-pads, thigh and shin guards clasped over a body stocking. Mandalorian helmets often had a macrobinocular viewplate, tactical displays, a comlink and an antenna tipped with a rangefinder that could be pulled over the viewplate to enhance imagery. Sabine Wren programmed a holo-imager in her rangefinder to take snapshots. They wore magnetized shoes.