What the description of Sphacteria has to tell us

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

Thucydides was not stating that only this Athenian army was fully armoured as compared to others

Is this what you think i said? I said-and Thuc is very clear in this, that this was the most brilliant army among other reasons and because every soldier did his best to have good armour and to show off to their own friends. The same with how brilliantly the ships were decorated etc etc. Similarly I think it was Agesilaus' army as described by Xenophon that was incredibly well equiped. Soldiers from the most wealthy city of the time could produce an incredibly armed army,the same with the ritch army of Agesilaus.
Sphacteria was not of that great significance as until then the Spartans had to face a tiny Athenian force. What followed was rather unexpected by them. In the island there were marely paths and all of it was covered by thick forest. I would say that the fact they sent hoplites and not other lighter troops was just because this is the only way they could send Spartans,whom they could trust.
In all I find it very plausible that the soldiers sent there were not of the best equiped type.
Tarbicus,"pilos" or "pilema" can mean anything felt but when they are specified. For example you could say "a jerkin made of pilos/pilema". But when pilos is used alone,it just means a felt hat(of whatever shape).
Khairete
Giannis