How did Varangians under the emperor stay cool?

[Urselius]

Going into specifics on the illustration I would have doubts about a few aspects. Mail chausses would have been more typical for the time period, and splint vambraces and greaves are not as well illustrated in Byzantine art as some reproductions would have you believe. Also I doubt the use of separate-strip pteruges in any Byzantine context - the items capable of being interpreted as pteruges are more likely to have been made of metal splint armour or are showing quilted fabric. No Byzantine illustration (other than religious confections) I have seen has shown convincing evidence of a separate strip construction.