Thats Me. I'm Weird And Sensitive

Capes are too dangerous (the Edna Mode argument)

Cape can get caught on things (e.g. branches, mechanical doors, exposed sharp objects)

Heavy capes can reduce mobility (e.g. weighing them down when running and climbing) and get in the way

Capes can be grabbed by an enemy to choke or restrain the wearer

Capes can increase visibility (especially for flying heroes when contrasted with the sky)

Capes can lead to instability and loss of balance at high speeds

Capes can be tactical (the Batman argument)

Capes can conceal movement, making attacks hard to read

Capes give the wearer a dramatic silhouette that can intimidate criminals

Capes can be used as a weapon or tool in a fight (e.g. using it to obstruct an opponents vision, distract them, wrap around a weapon to disarm, or cause an opponent to flinch or create distance)

Capes can be reinforced to provide some small amount of protection against weapons

Capes can be modified into a glider, parachute, or other tool

Capes can obscure body shape to protect secret identities

Capes can provide basic weather protection by using waterproofing for rain or insulation for the cold.

And now for the poll:

Which argument about superhero capes do you find more compelling?

Edna Mode argument

Batman argument

I am allergic to taking sides

Nightwing (2016) #112

Batman and Robin: Year One #2

Robin (1993) #77

I've seen people testing this with regular-ass cloth, and basically any type of looser fabric, like a cape or cloak, has a chance to deflect projectiles, including some types of arrows, up until the point where they are sharp and fast enough to pierce armor.

It is generally accepted that most superhero capes of this type - like as with Batman - are not regular-ass cloth, and have an actual bullet-resistant-fabric property to them, which has already been noted.

But I'd like to also add that wearing as a cape has cases where it is specifically better than just wearing it as armor.

This is probably also related to the fencing note from a couple reblogs up, with a cape's general ability to deflect energy, but I did think it relevant to note the case for projectiles, as they are probably a more relevant problem than sword blades most of the time.