Linothorax vs Spolas

[Sean Manning]

The above passage could also be interpreted to mean that everyone was issued both spolas AND thorax and that, as Stefanos believes, that the spolas was worn in addition to the thorax and was not a distinct type of body armour at all.

Yes. Its certainly possible that the word could be as vague as gambeson or aketon, which could be anything from spear-proof cloth armour covered in leather to a light linen jacket to keep armour and clothing apart. At some dates/times/places each word sometimes had a more specific meaning.

What I think the evidence does indicate was that spolades were commonplace garments worn for protection in war. Someone arguing that the term didn't include the tube-and-yoke typology would have to show that another typology was common in the age of Xenophon.