Alma 43:21

But they were not armed with breast-plates, nor shields; therefore they were exceeding afraid of the armies of the Nephites, because of their armour, notwithstanding their number being so much greater than the Nephites.

But they did not have armor or shields. They were very afraid of the Nephite armies because of their armor, even though the Lamanites had many more soldiers than the Nephites.

But even they had no breastplates or shields. Despite outnumbering the Nephites, they were terrified of the Nephite armor.