The island in Sons of the Forest is hardly a catwalk, but both armour and outfits can be genuinely helpful! You’ll need to fend off mutants and cannibals and keep warm in winter. It’s a good idea to deal with both systems early on. Prepare properly for your enemies, and be ready when the in‑game winter months arrive. Found outfits can also be given to Kelvin and Virginia if you wish.
Sons of the Forest armour: protection mechanics, tips & best choices
Armour in Sons of the Forest is a frequent talking point because it works differently to many other survival games. Player‑crafted armour breaks after a few hits, so you’ll need to craft replacements regularly. Only a few variants last longer, and those cost more materials. Important: armour negates incoming damage entirely until the current layer breaks. You can see how full your armour is via the segmented semi‑circle around your health.
Craftable armour: recipes, materials & verdict
Leaf Armour: From 10 Leaves and 1 Cloth. Only soaks a few hits, but it’s very cheap early and quick to make.
Hide Armour: From 2 Hide and 1 Cloth. A bit better than Leaf, but you’ll need to hunt animals. Handy hunting tips can be found in our guide (Sons of the Forest: Nutrition guide to hunting, fishing & foraging) . Good balance of cost and protection.
Bone Armour: From 4 Bones, 1 Duct Tape and 1 Rope. Very effective and sustainable, since you get bones by burning cannibals. For many players the best all‑round armour in early to mid‑game.
Tech Armour: From 1 Tech Mesh, Circuit Board, Duct Tape, Wire and Batteries. You print Tech Mesh at the 3D printer (with resin). Offers the highest protection of the craftable sets, but is expensive and material‑intensive.
Found armour: Creepy & Golden (locations)
Creepy Armour: Obtained by killing large mutants in caves and harvesting their skin with the knife. Very strong protection and free – you only pay the cave risk.
Golden Armour (Ancient): Indestructible, but with lower damage reduction against regular enemies. Especially useful in the endgame and the demonic sections of the final cave. Note: Golden Armour is not upgradable.
Which armour to use when?
- Early game: Leaf or Hide Armour for quick protection until you have reliable resources.
- Mid‑game: Bone Armour as a strong, inexpensive standard for exploration and fights.
- Tough fights/bosses: Tech Armour for maximum safety – bring plenty of materials and resin.
- Final cave: Golden Armour for special enemy types and long runs with no need for repairs.
Sons of the Forest outfits: locations, effects & gear for Kelvin and Virginia
Unlike armour, outfits don’t provide direct combat protection, but they’re stylish and sometimes useful (e.g., warmth, camouflage, swimming). You can dress yourself, Kelvin and Virginia. Some locations have changed since release – here are the current positions:
| Outfit | Location | Wearer |
|---|---|---|
| Blazer | In a boat on the island’s southern beach. | Player + Kelvin |
| Hoodie | In a tent in the south‑west of the island, near the cliffs. | Player + Kelvin |
| Leather Jacket | In the crashed plane in the south‑west, close to the Maintenance B bunker. | Player + Kelvin |
| Pyjamas | In the northern bay near the golf course, in one of the sailboats. | Player + Kelvin |
| Spacesuit | At the end of the Residential bunker, just before the surveillance room. | Player + Kelvin |
| Tactical Jacket | You and Kelvin wear it from the start. | Player + Kelvin |
| Tuxedo | In the Maintenance A bunker, on the bathroom dresser. | Player + Kelvin |
| Camouflage | Outside the Residential bunker, on the seat of the crashed helicopter. | Virginia |
| Dress | Towards the end of the game in the Luxury bunker, on a bed with a save point. | Virginia |
| Leather Suit | In the Residential bunker on the second level. | Virginia |
| Swimsuit | Virginia wears it from the start. | Virginia |
| Tracksuit | In the Entertainment bunker next to the pool/sports area. | Virginia |
| Priest Robes | In the mountains: cabin at the large lake in the middle of the map; follow the river inland from the east. | Player |
| Winter Jacket | On the golf course in the north‑east: tent near the long, narrow pond. | Player |
| Wetsuit | In the shovel cave, right after the flooded section. | Player |
Outfit tips:
- Winter Jacket keeps you warmer in cold biomes and seasons.
- Wetsuit is ideal for longer water sections; wear it for rivers/lakes and switch on land.
- Camouflage can help with stealth if you want to remain undetected.
Conclusion: Pick the best armour, collect all outfits
Armour helps you survive combat, while outfits are more like collectibles that are situationally useful. When wearing armour, weigh up whether the material investment is worth it: Bone and Tech Armour are the strongest all‑round options, while Golden Armour shines in the endgame thanks to its indestructibility. Outfits for Virginia, Kelvin and yourself are scattered all over the island – some even help you stay warm in winter or swim better.
You’ll see the outfits best in co‑op: Rent a Sons of the Forest server from us and check out how stylish the clothing looks on other players.
More interesting articles
Sons of the Forest: Useful Items – Locations & Tips
Sons of the Forest bunkers: best order, keycards, loot and tips
Sons of the Forest Ranged Weapons: Locations, Maps & Crafting Tips
Sons of the Forest Combat Guide: Best Weapons, Tactics & Survival Tips
