Mail vs. arrows - later example

[Tarbicus]

"omnes fere milites aut ex coactis aut ex centonibus aut ex coriis tunicas aut tegimenta fecerant"

I suppose these measures must've been effective, otherwise Caesar would've scoffed at their attempts. Any comments?

http://ablemedia.com/ctcweb/showcase/wordsonline.html

coactis
coactum, coacti N N [XXXFS] veryrare
thick/fulled covering; mattress;
cogo, cogere, coegi, coactus V TRANS [XXXAO]
collect/gather, round up, restrict/confine; force/compel; convene; congeal;

centonibus
cento, centonis N M [XXXCO]
patchwork quilt, blanket or curtain made of old garments sewn together; rags;

coriis
corius, cori(i) N M [BAXDO] Early lesser
corium, cori(i) N N [XAXBO]
skin/leather/hide; peel/rind/shell/outer cover; layer/coating; thong/strap/whip

tegimenta
tegimen, tegiminis N N [XXXBO]
covering/cover/protection; clothing; body armor; skin/shell/husk (animal/fruit)
tegimentum, tegimenti N N [XXXCO]
covering/cover/protection; clothing; body armor; skin/shell/husk (animal/fruit)

My stab in the dark:
"Almost all soldiers, either from thick mattresses, or from patchwork blankets/quilts, or from leather tunics, made armoured coverings."

or,
"Almost all soldiers made them, either from thick mattresses, or from patchwork blankets/quilts, or from leather tunics, or armour."

or,
"Almost all soldiers made them, either from thick mattresses, or from patchwork blankets/quilts, or from leather tunics or shield covers."