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PU Bracers
Light, Comfortable, and Ready Out of the Bag
PU bracers give you the look of steel or hardened leather arm armor at a fraction of the weight. Made from cast polyurethane, hand-painted, and sealed for durability, they protect your forearms through long days of LARP combat, cosplay, and stage work with zero maintenance. Strap them on and go.
What Are PU Bracers?
PU bracers are lightweight arm guards made from polyurethane, a tough, flexible material cast and painted to look like real steel or worn leather. Each pair weighs between 150 and 300 grams per arm, roughly a quarter of the weight of a comparable steel piece. They will not rust, they need no oiling or conditioning, and rain does not bother them. For LARP and cosplay, that means the presence of proper arm armor without the upkeep or the fatigue.
Why Choose PU?
Steel bracers have real presence, and leather has a look and feel nothing else quite matches. Both have earned their place in any armory, and we sell plenty of each. PU is simply the practical choice for certain days:
Long events: Wear them from morning muster to the last battle without tired arms.
Bad weather: Rain, mud, and humidity leave no rust and demand no conditioning afterward.
Travel: Light in the luggage, whether you are driving to a weekend campaign or flying to a con.
Combat: No sharp edges and no hard rims, friendly to foam weapons and easy to pass safety checks.
First kits: An affordable way to armor up a new character without committing to steel.
Many players run a mixed kit: steel where it shows most, PU where weight matters. Everything here is designed to combine with the rest of Epic Armoury's armor lines.
How Epic Armoury Makes PU Bracers
Every piece starts as a polyurethane cast, strong and slightly flexible. It is then hand-painted, so no two pairs are exactly identical, and sealed with a hard-wearing acrylic finish that stands up to travel and regular fighting. Full grain leather straps with metal buckles are riveted to the armor for a secure, adjustable fit.
A Style for Every Character
The collection covers both metallic and leather looks:
Steel finishes: From the classical Spartan Bracers to the disciplined Palace Guard Vambraces, the knightly Milanese Couters, and the commanding Captain Arm Protection.
Leather looks: The Barbarian Vambraces mimic thick, rugged hide for warriors, raiders, and wilder characters.
Versatile pieces: Mercenary, Nordic, Knightly, RFB, and Outrider designs fit almost any human kit, from hired blade to town guard.
Bracers or Vambraces?
Historically, a bracer was an archer's guard protecting the inner forearm from the bowstring, while a vambrace was plate armor covering the forearm in combat. Today the words are used interchangeably in LARP and cosplay, alongside arm guards and armguards. Whatever you call them, they cover the same ground: your wrist and forearm, the parts of you most likely to catch a blow.
Fit and Care
The strap system handles most sizing on its own. For a closer fit, polyurethane can be gently reshaped with heat. Warm the inside of the piece rather than the painted surface, bend it to your arm, and let it cool. Avoid leaving your bracers in direct sunlight or near heat sources, as warmth makes the material malleable.
Care is simple: wipe with a damp cloth, store dry. Scratches will eventually show the black base material underneath, and minor scuffs are easy to touch up at home with primer and acrylic hobby paints. Treat the leather straps like any full grain leather product with occasional conditioning.
Who Are PU Bracers For?
LARPers who fight and travel every season. Cosplayers and performers wearing kit for hours at a time. Renaissance faire visitors facing hot, long days. New players building their first armor on a budget. Junior and smaller fighters who need lighter gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are PU bracers made of?
Cast polyurethane, hand-painted and sealed with an acrylic finish, with full grain leather straps and metal buckles.
Are PU bracers safe for LARP combat?
Yes. They have no sharp edges and are designed for use with foam and latex weapons. Always follow your event's armor rules.
How heavy are they compared to steel?
Roughly a quarter of the weight. Most pairs weigh 150 to 300 grams per arm.
Do they really look like metal?
At a few steps' distance, most people cannot tell. Each piece is hand-painted to mimic polished steel, dark iron, or worn leather.
How do I clean them?
Wipe with a damp cloth and store them dry. No oiling, no rust prevention, no polishing.
Can I adjust the fit?
Yes. Use the adjustable straps, or gently heat-shape the material from the inside for a custom fit.
Are they real protective equipment?
No. PU bracers are costume armor for LARP, cosplay, and stage use, not protective gear for real weapons or sports.
Ready to Armor Up?
From Spartan bronze to mercenary steel and barbarian hide, PU bracers deliver the look you want without the weight you don't.
Browse the collection, pick the pair that fits your character, and spend the day fighting instead of maintaining. Looking for more? Explore our full Light Kit collection, PU helmets, or go classic with steel bracers and leather bracers.