The 7 Best Online Stores for LARP Supplies

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There’s nothing like immersing yourself in a fantasy world, especially with lots of other people alongside you. However, a flawed or expensive outfit can quickly ruin your LARP vibes.

If you don’t have the best crafting skills and prefer to buy gear, there are professionals you can rely on. The following online stores supply all kinds of equipment to LARP events and individual customers. Explore each store’s services and assemble the perfect cost-effective outfit.

What Is LARP?

If you’re a fan of Lord of the Rings, Dungeons and Dragons, or any fantasy RPG video game, then LARPing is a great activity to get into. It stands for Live Action Role Playing and involves group events where everyone dresses up as fantastical characters and acts out a story.

Festivals all over the world, like Germany’s ConQuest, the UK’s Lorien Trust, and Mind’s Eye Society in the US, welcome you as a guest, NPC, or even main character. Some go as far as to provide scripts and fine-tune every detail, from the tavern’s furniture to how spellcasting works.

Above all, there’s a unique freedom to these gatherings. No geek would mind you finding inspiration in popular science fiction books and showing up as Arthur Dent from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Steampunk is a particular favorite among LARPing themes too.

1. Andracor

Based in Germany, Andracor is a hallmark name in the LARP community. It offers a huge range of products and shipping to customers worldwide. You’ll find leather armor, broadswords, skull masks, pirate pistols, monster makeup, and so much more.

Prices vary, of course, depending on the item and its quality. A drinking horn holder, for example, is around $12. Jewelry or much simpler products can be cheaper, but expect a full set of plate armor to cost at least a couple hundred dollars.

LARPing is not a cheap hobby. That said, browsing through expert products can inspire you to put your DIY skills to the test and only invest in select items your outfit can’t do without.

2. Chow’s Emporium

This is a UK retailer that also accepts international orders. Chow’s Emporium caters to LARPing demands and also has more unique products, including Oriental styles. The cuts of its tunics, for example, are embellished with extra patterns or fabrics.

Some downsides to the Emporium is that it doesn’t have armor, and its prices reflect the quality of the products. For instance, a jacket and tunic set with faux leather and a mantle will cost you around $326.

As already suggested, you could just get special pieces from here, like unique hats or hip flasks, and combine them with products from other stores or with pieces of your own design. Alternatively, you can always save up and buy the most eye-catching outfit for your next LARP event.

3. Larp Inn

Larp Inn is another major UK-based supplier of LARP equipment. It has been keeping fantasy fans happy for years now, even offering board games like D&D and Warhammer. If what you’re after is definitely armor or a battle ax, the Larp Inn is still a reliable shop to check out.

The quality is good, and although the styles aren’t anything special, it still has some nice Celtic, Samurai, and even steampunk designs. The cost can be just as high as the previous stores on this list, with a breastplate alone reaching over $140. You also have to factor in shipping rates, whether for UK or international destinations.

Once again, smart purchases are the way to go. You can put an outfit together piece by piece without breaking the bank, all while combining different features and giving your look a more personalized touch.

4. Your Larp Store

Germany is a great place for LARPing, as it has some of the best suppliers—Your Larp Store is one of them. You can be sure of the quality of the products coming from Your Larp Store, which takes its stock and crafting skills very seriously.

Prices range from around $10 to over $1,000, so choose your investments carefully. A handy part of the platform to check out is the Do It Yourself tab. This contains materials to make your own equipment, like chainrings, leather straps, and silicone spray for weapons.

Alongside additional wares like photo CDs and LARPzeit magazine, Your Larp Store is also a popular source of industry news, especially about ConQuest and similar events.

5. Calimacil

Canada has its own LARP workshop and store to contribute to the world of LARPing. Its products range from common medieval and fantasy gear to items based on popular video games like The Witcher, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, and Destiny. For around $78 to $188, you can even order a custom sword, ax, or staff.

Simple trinkets, like quills, come to little more than $10. More intricate products, like metal armor, can be over $500. Whether you want pieces of a costume or a whole set, you can control the size of your investment without compromising your outfit’s quality.

Another noteworthy fact is that Calimacil collaborates with fellow creative companies to offer LARPers every possible luxury. Seyrawyn, a fantasy publishing house, stocks the store with books for all ages, while Mythic Workshop adds to its high-end fantasy equipment.

6. Epic Armoury

Love of LARP is universal, and the fact that LARP suppliers exist all over the world makes that especially clear. Epic Armoury is located in Denmark and often collaborates with event organizers to create the most immersive environment possible.

That’s why you’ll find a lot of interesting equipment on its website. Roman fire pits, medieval cutlery, potion flasks, skulls, and gold coins are just some special items available. It also has typical fantasy gear, such as armor, clothing, accessories, and so on.

There are some products that are under $10, but anything bigger and more complex than a bracelet will cost more. It also has a DIY section to help LARPers who like to craft their experiences from scratch.

7. Armstreet

Last but not least, this US company has a vast collection to dive into. Armstreet caters to all medieval tastes, from Viking and Tudor to fairytale styles. It’s not just tunics and dresses you’ll see, but also aprons, headwear, socks, and chemises.

The designs stay loyal to the times, and also cater to LARPers ready to splurge on some extra pieces to make their outfit pop. This includes beautiful jewelry and mirrors, but also archery bracers, cloaks, and belts.

In terms of cost, Armstreet isn’t cheap. A steel and leather mug costs about $44, and that’s typically the lowest price you’ll find here. But when sales go live, you can expect some decent discounts. You just need to time it right and have a specific budget in mind.

Know Your LARP Needs and Suppliers

With a passion for fantasy or medieval themes, you can live the LARP dream. It does take planning and smart spending, however, to avoid going overboard while putting your outfit together.

A great costume really doesn’t have to cost a fortune. At the same time, you can have fun crafting some of its features and refining the overall effect. All you need are the right supplies. Between these top-notch online LARP stores, there’s not much you can’t create.

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December 18, 2020 at 11:06AM