6th century AD Roman soldier

[Flavius Promotus]

Padding vests (subarmales) were certainly still in use. The Anonymus peri Strategias (6th century AD?) mentions so called peristaethídia (rough translation: 'chestsurrounders') with a thickness of at least one daktylos. This, however, seems to be a bit much, since a daktylos - at least AFAIK - is about 1.95 cm. According to this author, these undergarments are there to make it easier to carry the armour AND to offer aditional protection in combat.

If you want to find out more about 6th century tactics and logistics, try to get an English copy of the 'Strategikon'. The original book is in Greek, but interestingly the commands are almost all still in Latin.