Why are LARP Goods so Expensive?

Getting into the LARP hobby can be expensive, and lots of people are taken aback by the costs of costume, weaponry and accessories. Many customers ask why. Well, here are the reasons LARP kit is worth every penny of your hard-earned money… and probably more.

The first thing to understand about LARP costume, particularly clothing, is that it’s not the same grade as fancy dress. Halloween costumes and fancy dress are normally worn for a few hours or for a singular day. LARP kit is often worn for multiple days, sometimes all week. Even the cheapest kit is usually made from higher-quality fabrics, typically linen, cotton and wool. They need to be durable for extended wear, even when you’re rolling around in the muddy forest.

When you buy costume, think about whether you’re going to be comfortable and warm. You’ll only end up buying again if you find the fabric thin, scratchy or ill fitting. Moreover, do you need to buy more than one set? Would you wear the same t-shirt for seven days? Maybe you would – how else do gamers get such sterling reputation for cleanliness? But, having a second set of clothing on hand might be vital if you’re outside in the rain for hours.

We all know that linen, cotton and wool are more expensive than most polyester-fabric equivalents. The same goes for other natural materials that are commonly used for LARP kit. Real leather is used to make the nicest LARP accessories and costume, often replicating or inspired by historical designs and patterns. Leather is incredibly durable, but it comes with a matching price tag, and high-quality vegan alternatives can be just as costly if you expect them to last.

Sadly, prices of materials are rising across the board. Foams, glue, latex and other weapon-making materials have risen significantly since Brexit. Importing chemicals, especially the really-effective, hazardous ones, now costs more.

Still, whilst the price of a Freddo has increased by 200% since 2000, a LARP sword has only risen around 5% in cost. So, why have the prices remained in stasis when everything else constantly rises in price?

This is the element that most people seem to forget, but it is the most important factor. So, what are you actually paying for?

Thinking about an average LARP sword that costs around £80, you have to:

• Buy your materials - fiberglass, foam, glue, latex, paints and sealants.
• Prepare your fiberglass, cutting each rod down to size, sanding and podding the ends with foam and cloth reinforcements.
• Cut your central channels for cores into your foam and then glue the rods in place.
• Make your foam sandwich, gluing a piece of foam either side of your core.
• Cut your sword shape, sand any imperfections away and heat the foam to clear away any bobbles or fluff. - Make your crossguard - mold, cut and shape any pieces of foam, then attach them to the sword blade.
• Attach your handle by rolling foam, pipes or tubes around the core, inserting any weighting or lead as you go.
• Mold, cut or layer your pommel and then affix it.
• Latexing begins. At least ten thin coats of paint applied to blade by airbrush, with sufficient drying time between each coat to avoid drips or imperfections.
• Detailing and shading. Any additional colours or special designs have to be painted on.
• Sealing in a flexible-rubberised coating to ensure durability.
• Curing time. Lots of weapon manufacturers use Isoflex to coat their weapons which is very sticky after its dried and needs time to cure, otherwise you can expect the weapons to stick together – PERMANENTLY in some cases.
• Finally, the handle is wrapped in leather or suede and often laced into place.

Take a long look at all the steps required to make a LARP sword, set that against the cost of materials, the cost required to power and heat a workshop, 20% VAT that may be deducted and then ask yourself how much you’d like to be paid an hour?

Maybe you're think of something smaller, like our £16.99 Corym A6 Leather Pouch for instance. We have to:

• Design your shape, pieces and construction to make the pouch.
• Buy the matierals - leather, rivets, dye, threads, buckles and loops.
• Cut out all the shapes to make the pouch. If we're lucky this is done with an industiral press (like a giant leather cookie cutter), but lots of our designs require someone to cut out the pieces by hand.
• Emboss the pouch flap.
• Hand dye the design.
• Seal the design with a leather polish to prevent the dye from running.
• Construct all the pieces with rivets or sewing machine on an economic pouch, or hand stitch the bag for reenactors and high-quality finish.

What we're saying is, most manufacturers of LARP goods vastly undercharge for the number of steps required, let alone the level of skill they demonstrate when crafting. It is only through consideration for their customers (and a hefty dose of nostalgia) that prices remain so low. In any other field, words like artisan and handmade normally add hundreds of pounds onto an item. That is not the case for LARP. Many of the weapon manufacturers and armour crafters have spent decades perfecting their skills, and are paying themselves minimum wage or lower.

• Why are LARP goods so expensive? They're not!
• LARP goods are costly to make.
• LARP manafacturers undercharge and pay themselves less than minimum wage to keep costs low.
• We know getting into the hobby is still very expensive. Talk to traders and manafacturers, they'll help you make the best choices with the money you have.
• Research quality, fit and comfortability to make sure your costume lasts.
• Check out our 'RFB' or 'Ready for Battle' range if you're really strapped for cash.