Sons of the Forest’s island isn’t a catwalk, but both armor and outfits can absolutely help you survive. You’ll need to withstand attacks from mutants and cannibals and stay warm in winter. So it’s smart to engage with both systems early. Prepare for enemies and be ready when winter arrives in-game. You can also give found outfits to Kelvin and Virginia if you like.
Sons of the Forest armor: protection mechanics, tips & best picks
Armor in Sons of the Forest is a hot topic because it works differently than in many other survival games. Crafted armor breaks after a few hits, so you’ll regularly need to restock materials. Only a few variants last longer, but they cost more resources. Important: armor completely negates damage until the currently equipped piece breaks. You can see how full your armor is by the segmented semicircle around your health bar.
Craftable armor: recipes, materials & verdict
Leaf Armor: 10 Leaves and 1 Cloth. Only lasts a few hits, but it’s very cheap and quick to make early on.
Hide Armor: 2 Hide and 1 Cloth. A bit stronger than Leaf, but you’ll need to hunt animals. Handy hunting tips are 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 get bones by burning cannibals. For many players the best all-round armor in early to midgame.
Tech Armor: 1 Tech Mesh, Circuit Board, Duct Tape, Wire, and Batteries. You print Tech Mesh at the 3D printer (with resin). Offers the highest protection among craftable sets, but is expensive and resource-heavy.
Found armor: Creepy & Golden Armor (locations)
Creepy Armor: Obtained by killing large mutants in caves and skinning them with your knife. Very solid protection and free—you only risk the cave runs.
Golden Armor (Ancient): Unbreakable, but with lower damage reduction against regular enemies. Especially useful in the endgame and the demonic areas of the final cave. Note: the Golden Armor cannot be upgraded.
Which armor to use when?
- Early game: Leaf or Hide Armor for quick protection until you have steady resources.
- Midgame: Bone Armor as a strong, cheap standard for exploration and fights.
- Hard fights/bosses: Tech Armor for maximum safety—plan enough materials and resin.
- Endgame cave: Golden Armor for specific enemy types and long runs without repairs.
Sons of the Forest outfits: locations, effects & gear for Kelvin and Virginia
Unlike armor, outfits don’t give you 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 | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Blazer | In a boat on the island’s southern beach. | Player + Kelvin |
| Hoodie | In a tent in the southwest, 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, on one of the sailboats. | Player + Kelvin |
| Space Suit | At the end of the Residential Bunker, just before the surveillance room. | Player + Kelvin |
| Tactical Jacket | You and Kelvin start the game wearing it. | Player + Kelvin |
| Tuxedo | In the Maintenance A bunker, in the bathroom on the dresser. | Player + Kelvin |
| Camouflage | Outside the Residential Bunker, on the seat of the crashed helicopter. | Virginia |
| Dress | Near 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 this from the start. | Virginia |
| Tracksuit | In the Entertainment Bunker next to the pool/sports area. | Virginia |
| Priest Robe | In the mountains: a hut at the large lake in the center of the map; follow the river inland from the east. | Player |
| Winter Jacket | On the golf course in the northeast: a tent near the long, narrow 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 sections; wear it in rivers/lakes and switch on land.
- Camouflage can help with stealth when you want to stay undetected.
Conclusion: choose the best armor, collect all outfits
Armor helps you mitigate damage in combat, while outfits are more like collectibles that are situationally useful. When wearing armor, weigh the material investment: Bone and Tech Armor are the strongest all-round options, while Golden Armor shines in the endgame thanks to being unbreakable. You’ll find outfits for Virginia, Kelvin, and yourself all over the island—some even help you stay warm in winter or swim more comfortably.
Outfits show best in co-op: Rent a Sons of the Forest server from us and see just how stylish the gear 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
