You know one thing I like about guts, the guy always wears crotch armor. Most people didn't, smart guy if you ask me.
He doesn't wear much armor prior to the Black Swordsman arc. Being as he's a human whirlwind, he butchers entire groups of heavily armored soldiers without even any effort. I like the transition of his look as the Black Swordsman, since it coincides with his mental state at that point, and he was dealing with much more dangerous game.