Sons of the Forest’s island isn’t exactly a catwalk, but both armor and outfits can absolutely help you out! After all, you need to fend off mutant and cannibal attacks and stay warm in winter. So it’s a good idea to look into both systems early. Get ready for your enemies, and be prepared when the in‑game winter months arrive. You can also give found outfits to Kelvin and Virginia if you’d like.
Sons of the Forest armor: protection mechanics, tips & best picks
Armor in Sons of the Forest is a frequent topic because it works differently than in many other survival games. Crafted armor breaks after a few hits, so you’ll need to resupply materials regularly. Only a few variants last longer, but they cost more resources. Important: armor negates damage completely until the currently equipped layer breaks. You can see how full your armor is by the segmented semicircle around your health bar.
Craftable armor: recipes, materials & verdicts
Leaf Armor: 10 Leaves and 1 Cloth. Only withstands a few hits but is very cheap and quick to make, especially early on.
Hide Armor: 2 Hide and 1 Cloth. A bit better than Leaf, but you’ll need to hunt animals. Find helpful hunting tips in our guide (Sons of the Forest: Nutrition Guide to Hunting, Fishing & Foraging) . A good balance of effort and protection.
Bone Armor: 4 Bones, 1 Duct Tape, and 1 Rope. Very effective and sustainable, since you can get bones by burning cannibals. For many players, the best all‑round armor in the early to midgame.
Tech Armor: 1 Tech Mesh, 1 Circuit Board, 1 Duct Tape, 1 Wire, and 1 Batteries. Print Tech Mesh at the 3D printer (with resin). Offers the highest protection among craftable armors but is expensive and material‑intensive.
Found armor: Creepy & Golden Armor (locations)
Creepy Armor: Obtain it by killing large mutants in caves and skinning them with your knife. Very strong protection and free—you only take on the cave risk.
Golden Armor (Ancient): Indestructible, but with lower damage reduction against regular enemies. Especially useful in the endgame and in the demonic areas of the final cave. Note: Golden Armor cannot be upgraded.
Which armor to use when?
- Early game: Leaf or Hide Armor for quick protection until you have reliable resources.
- Midgame: Bone Armor as a strong, affordable standard for exploration and combat.
- Tough fights/bosses: Tech Armor for maximum safety—bring plenty of materials and resin.
- Final cave: Golden Armor for specific enemy types and long runs without needing repairs.
Sons of the Forest outfits: locations, effects & gear for Kelvin and Virginia
Unlike armor, outfits don’t give 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 spots:
| Outfit | Location | Person |
|---|---|---|
| Blazer | In a boat on the southern beach of the island. | Player + Kelvin |
| Hoodie | In a tent in the southwest of the island, near the cliffs. | Player + Kelvin |
| Leather Jacket | In the crashed plane in the southwest, not far from the Maintenance B bunker. | Player + Kelvin |
| Pajamas | 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 start with it. | Player + Kelvin |
| Tuxedo | In the Maintenance A bunker, on the dresser in the bathroom. | Player + Kelvin |
| Camouflage outfit | Outside the Residential bunker, on the seat of the crashed helicopter. | Virginia |
| Dress | Toward 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 starts with it. | Virginia |
| Tracksuit | In the Entertainment bunker next to the pool/sports area. | Virginia |
| Priest Robe | In the mountains: cabin at the large lake in the map’s center; follow the river inland from the east. | Player |
| Winter Jacket | On the golf course in the northeast: tent near the long pond. | Player |
| Wetsuit | In the shovel cave, right after the flooded section. | Player |
Tips for outfits:
- The Winter Jacket keeps you warmer in cold biomes and seasons.
- The Wetsuit is ideal for longer water passages; put it on for rivers/lakes and switch back on land.
- Camouflage can help with stealth when you want to stay undetected.
Conclusion: Pick the best armor, collect every outfit
Armor helps you mitigate incoming damage, while outfits are more like collectibles with situational benefits. When wearing armor, weigh the material investment: Bone and Tech Armor are the strongest all‑around options, while Golden Armor shines in the endgame thanks to its indestructibility. You’ll find outfits for Virginia, Kelvin, and yourself all over the island—some even help you stay warm in winter or swim better.
You’ll see 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 & Tips
Sons of the Forest Ranged Weapons: Locations, Maps & Crafting Tips
Sons of the Forest Combat Guide: Best Weapons, Tactics & Survival Tips
