In the middle ages [11-15] what was a cost effective option for the less wealthy in terms of body protection. i know that most everyone in an army had a shield, even if wooden, and weapon-wise spears were both cheap and common, and sidearms were either axes or short-swords, but what did people wear for protection?

on a side note; outside of the army what would peasants/commoners use for self defense? did they have access to anything other than modified farm equipment?