LARP Packing List – The Ultimate List for Live Action Role Playing

No matter if linen shirt, leather pants, corset, dress, or skirt – you need clothing that makes you your character from head to toe. Keep in mind that many basic pieces together may only look basic. At least one special, fancy garment is sensible.

Feel free to raid your wardrobe or costume box. If you want to spend some money, you can also invest in clothing at dedicated shops like Mytholon, LARP-Fashion, Battlemerchant, Ritterladen or Burgschneider.

If you want to sew it yourself, you can find many free patterns online. Our author Sophia also likes to buy more complex templates at Burda or on Etsy. Just make sure it’s not an AI-generated pattern at the latter.

It actually gets quite cold in open fields even in summer. Warm underclothing that doesn’t have to be suitable for IT is advisable. No one wants to bring home a cold from the event. Long undershirts, leggings, thick socks… everything is fair game.

Important: You can always take off the warm underclothing. But for autumn and winter events as well as for cool summer evenings, the onion look is key.

Theoretically, the coat is part of the clothing. But because it’s so essential, it gets its own entry.

A thick, heavy, waterproof coat not only gives your character a mysterious look but also serves the function of a raincoat, sun protection, and a picnic blanket. Important here is mainly the function, less the appearance.

My gray standard coat with a hood has faithfully accompanied me for five years now and shows no signs of wear. Although I long for a different model mainly because I’d like to move my arms more freely. But so far, it fulfills all its functions perfectly and keeps me dry in the rain, warm in the cold, and keeps my clothes clean when lying in the grass.

Depending on your character concept and your inclination, you need armor. Also, pay attention to what the event you are visiting allows: At the Festival of Dragons, for example, you must earn points to purchase the ability for certain armors.

Possible armor materials: Fabric (e.g., gambeson), leather, chain, scale, or metal plate.

Possible armor pieces: Helmet, chest protection, shoulder pads, stealth protection, arm and leg protectors

As already mentioned in the introduction: Many simple basic pieces can make your character look very basic as well. Accessories are your way to individuality! A belt around the waist or hips holds the clothing together and can be equipped with belt bags and weapon holders.

Chains, rings, bracelets made of fabric, with gemstones, or just of heavy metal give you character. Maybe you’ve joined a guild and have a banner to display? The curious crowd guild sends greetings.

All together can be summarized under the term  “fancy stuff” – it is everything that makes you unique.

A dedicated headgear for warm and cold days is always sensible. Nothing is worse than having your artfully arranged hairstyle ruined by a downpour or the summer sun giving you a sunstroke. Straw hats, caps, berets, felt hats, turbans, a scarf, or even a tricorn – there are so many options, there’s something for everyone.

If you wear armor, you’re usually safe with a helmet. The important thing is just to keep in mind that metal heats up quickly in bright sunshine.

Makeup and war paint may not be something every character has, but it can always be considered. This could be Jack Sparrow-style eye makeup for pirates. Amazons might wear more elaborate war paint. A lady from a fine house might wear lipstick.

And the effect of martial painting should not be underestimated when it comes to battle.

There’s little that can influence your enjoyment of LARP more than your footwear.

If you are at a relaxed event in enclosed spaces or have a beer garden as an outdoor area, light shoes should suffice. Here you can choose medieval footwear or riding boots.

But the moment you are at a large convention with terrain and weather influences, your shoes need to be more than just pretty. The appearance is then displaced by a grippy sole, solid support (also at the ankle), and waterproofing. Of course, only if you want to do more than just sit and casually stroll across the lawn.

Personally, I haven’t found the holy grail in footwear yet. At my first events, I wore sturdy hiking boots, but they didn’t survive the terrain. I have had to retire two pairs of expensive shoes so far. I now own nice riding boots, but their sole came off at the last Festival of Dragons. A cobbler could save them, but it was still unfortunate.

For 2026, I’m still looking for the right boots. My LARP group recommended work boots from Haix or mountain shoes from Lowa. A friend, however, mentioned she is very happy with Dr. Martens.

After I got through the last final battle with my worn-in Dr. Martens, they might just be the ones for me. Especially since they suit my character visually compared to Haix and Lowa.

… and remember spare shoes. Don’t be like me. Pack spare shoes.

If you want to be combat-ready in LARP, you can use your fists. But of course, it’s much cooler to be equipped with a nice weapon. Whether it’s a dagger, sword, war hammer, pistol, or rifle – depending on the setting and character, you can choose from many different weapon types.

However, what’s important is that you pay attention to the LARP suitability. Swords and daggers, for example, should have a foam blade surrounding a core rod. Due to the core rod, they should not be used for stabbing. Stabbing weapons are also made of foam but do not have a rod for stability included.

Firearms do not have to be made of foam. If they are not, you should at most pretend to hit someone on the head with them. Here, it’s much more important that they have cool effects to simulate the shot – whether with a sound effect or even artificial smoke.

For bows and arrows, you should check if there’s a restriction on bow draw weight at your event. For arrows, it’s helpful to color the tips or the shafts.

LARP weapons can be purchased. The shops linked under clothing all have a selection. However, those who are handy can, of course, also build a weapon themselves.

Drink plenty of water. This applies in real life and on LARP. You will do a lot of moving and will be sweating. Nothing is less funny than ending up at the first-aid station due to dehydration.

So it’s best to always carry a water hose, from which you can drink. Alternatively, you can also disguise a plastic bottle and take it with you.

If you want to be really fancy, you can attach a cup or horn to your clothing (for example, with a carabiner directly on the belt). Both can be filled with liquid at the water fountain or at the bar with a drink of your choice.

But in the end: Always have a non-alcoholic beverage on your person, with which you can hydrate.

You will have a few items with you for which you will need a bag. Whether it’s your phone, keys, ticket, real and LARP money, or even alchemical potions or ingredients. Therefore, it is worthwhile to invest in a bag that matches the clothing.

Personally, I have a medieval purse hanging from my belt, a belt bag, and a hip bag. This way, I always have everything well organized.

Theoretically, a jute bag without advertising print is sufficient. Of course, you can also spend more money here. Whether for a real adventurer’s backpack or drink holder. My recommendation would be to look at your budget and perhaps simply sew a couple of pockets into your clothing.

Only with a ticket can you enter the event. Once you’ve shown it on site, you can presumably lose, destroy, or frame it. Depending on your preference.

But you should definitely have packed it.

Often, mobile reception at LARP sites is rather poor. For emergencies, keeping in touch with home, or just to Google something, you should have your smartphone with you.

Your OT wallet with your ID and possibly other cards for insurance, and a bit of cash should always be with you. For emergencies.

In general, you should always bring your house key with you when you leave home. On LARP, it’s enough if you safely stow it in your bag. At large events, I usually leave it in the car.

Depending on your preferred mode of travel, you should of course have your car key or train or bus ticket with you.

It is always a good idea to carry some small snacks. Whether to bridge the time between lunch and dinner, or to prevent low blood sugar from too much movement. Granola bars, chocolate, nuts… Always have a snack of your choice ready.