Lord of the Rings: Ranger's Garb

Basic Ranger Garb (or "soft kit"), for Middle Earth Re-enactment. I've put together a load out of items that I've tested in the field on hikes, camps and in combat.
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The goal is, of course, to be as historically accurate and accurate to Tolkien's work as possible. Not everyone can do that, I certainly can't. Wool is expensive! Here is inspiration for people like me, who want to start and have fun. Worry about doing it "right" later.
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Medieval Hood: • Viking Hood Tutorial i...
Special thanks to @msheridanarts (Michael Sheridan) for letting me use the his art in my video. Unfortunately I couldn't figure out out to add it to the description too.

[@andrewbutton2039]

I watched another channel who was also saying about a leather jerkin being poor armour, i believe that its not armour, at least not for swords and other weapons. I think, as aragorn is a ranger living in and maintaining forests, its protection from trees and bushes. Thorns specifically, and other small pointy bits of bushes and trees can break off the foliage as you pass through, sticking in woven cloth and cause irritation until removed, I've discovered that with jeans and wandering past and through brambles. Leather doesnt have that problem, or not to the extent that woven fabric does.

[@LivingAnachronism]

Excellent observation, I am inclined to agree. I'll need to upgrade my jerkin, because it doesn't even protect against thorns or anything!

[@VictorianTimeTraveler]

everything you say from now I will ask "And what would a Ranger know of this matter?"

[@TowerofTurtles]

A recommendation from one swordsman to another: use the heavy long bracer on the left wrist, and a short, square- or flex-cut bracer, or heavy leather wrap on the right. It adds wrist support and a bit more protection to the forward target without impinging on flexibility and movement. Or simply work the edge of the heavy bracer until it allows the flexibility you desire (as Boromir’s right bracer was worked in LOTR 😊)

[@michaelsheridan6177]

Thanks for the shout-out in your video! I’m glad my drawing has been helpful to folks so far! This is a fantastic brief breakdown of a basic kit that I think will be wonderful for newcomers because of how simple you lay everything out, and how many pieces are repurposed from everyday items! I’ll be sharing this around to the Ranger groups I’m in for sure!

[@LivingAnachronism]

Thanks again for letting me use the art!

[@Cretoman]

So… where do we find the art?

[@Sheepdog1314]

@@Cretoman it's in the video 08:00

[@Sheepdog1314]

excellent....are you on any social media?

[@idooma6455]

Wait- ranger groups?!- that’s a real thing?!?! OMG that’s awesome! (Probably not of much use for me as I’m a girl, but still cool ). I’m a HUUGE fan of Tolkien’s world, do you know where I might find some other groups that imitate things like this? (I don’t know what that’s called in English, sorry)

[@Kaotiqua]

Just discovered your channel, thanks to Shad's shout-out, and I'm so glad I did! I look forward to binging your vids, and catching up on all you've done since you began, but right out of the gate, I really appreciate seeing someone who treads a line between practicality and historical reenactment so beautifully! As a (now retired) SCAdian of many decades, I often followed a similar philosophy or technique, and it's worth repeating to young reenactors just starting out that it's absolutely unnecessary to raise your own sheep, card and spin your own wool, weave your own cloth, and cut it only with scissors of hand-forged iron. And if your interest is largely split between fantasy and historical reenactment, then blending beautiful and practical styles from different eras and cultures becomes an art all its own. And I absolutely LOVE your hoodie-sleeve trews!

[@LivingAnachronism]

Thank you so much! I'm glad I have someone (a veteran no less) who agrees with my take on reenactment. Some people can get really defensive/dogmatic about it, I've found. Thank you for checking out my channel. See you again. Cheers!

[@hobgoblin6551]

I’m new here to man because of Shad. Great work I’ve been wanting a channel just like this! And congrats on 3000 subs in just a few days man. I see a great future for your channel!

[@BlackDouglas1000]

@@LivingAnachronism We used to call it the '10 foot rule' in the SCA (I expect they still do). If there are no obvious modernisms in your kit when observed from 10 feet away then that's quality garbing.

[@danieltaylor5231]

Thank you for adding Michael Sheridan's artwork. All too often things like waterskins and satchels and bedrolls are left out when they are extremely important. I'm gonna have to thank Shad for letting me know about your channel.

[@hunterfindon1018]

Very cool! It's wonderful seeing LOTR costumes. You even look the part of a Middle Earth man with the long hair and facial hair.

[@lynnm6413]

Your woolen leg wraps are basically shorter versions than we use for horses, and it is way easier if you keep them rolled up in your hand, then lay the first part on your leg with the rest rolled inward…and then you have much more control over position and can vary how tight you want to make them..Ther are prob vids about that as well…;-)

[@marvinboyce8120]

Great video! If I may suggest, wear the hood over the cloak. This will create a "shingle effect" in the rain. With the way you have it right now the rain will run off the hood and under the collar of the cloak. I think it's really cool that you went with that reference of the dwarves having separate hoods and cloaks.

[@LivingAnachronism]

That's a really good point, thanks!

[@Blondie42]

Any time I click to watch one of your vids, Kramer, I hit 👍 before watching. 🙂 Adding a zipper to the "inner" side of each boot would also help with putting them on when you're wearing so many layers.

[@kenrankin5814]

Incredibly well done! Informative, innovative, and very inspirational, well done, Ranger! :)

[@THE_WÜLFHAMMER]

Very helpful I posted this to my medieval community group in Australia It helped my new members alot with their garb Keep up the good work lad I'll be watching all your content All the best

[@LivingAnachronism]

Thank you, kind sir, glad I could be of help.

[@Draculord666]

Love your videos, been binging them like crazy these past few days! I've been working on trying to throw together my very first larp kit, that being a ranger setup, so these have been immensely helpful!

[@LivingAnachronism]

Awesome! Glad I can be of some help

[@joshbingham212]

Looks great!

[@tcatzmeow]

So glad I found your channel❤ Going back to watch from the beginning .

[@LivingAnachronism]

Hope you enjoy! The journey from my older videos to my new ones is not one I have taken yet

[@stephenrenwick8781]

Nicely done.

[@CaptainPantys]

Absolute yes. You would make an amazing ranger!

[@annbrookens945]

Useful information!

[@sentaukrai]

New to the channel (thanks to Shadiverstiy) and def got a subscriber out of me. I love this type of cosplay/larp breakdown. Really would love to see others you might have in mind, such as the witcher. I foresee you going far, my friend.

[@LivingAnachronism]

Witcher kit is in progress!

[@KOKidsOG]

Looks awesome 😀

[@LivingAnachronism]

Thank you! Still a work in progress

[@rakatika]

I want to start a ranger kit now!

[@Phractal]

Lookin good, boss!

[@HarryTheEustreptospondylus]

Please make more garb videos! They're really good.

[@longsword1969]

I think you could use those little metal hooks that come with ace bandages and just glue one half of a fancy cloak clasp to the metal surface to give your leg wraps a medieval look.

[@LivingAnachronism]

I actually did that originally, but the little hooks broke after a little while, I think because the metal wasn't string enough

[@ianhelyar6383]

Summer kit? Where I live, you'd die of heatstroke wearing that outfit in winter! Though I guess it'd be fine in Middle Earth.

[@beelzebub5286]

The decision to not wear a bracer on the right side (swordarm) is a bit questionable in my opinion. Of course the reason you give is a valid point and this is Larp but after you have broken in a leather vambrace it shoulden‘t be a problem anymore. At least thats my expirience as a person that does swordfighting (with steel swords), i would probably have a broken my arm several times if not for my bracer.

[@LuxisAlukard]

I like that cloak! But I can't remember seeing it in your "best cloak" video... Now I must watch that one again =)

[@LivingAnachronism]

I show it briefly in the "blanket cloak" section, but unfortunately I have since lost it.

[@ranuelthebard3751]

Very cool! Making leggings out of the sleeves is clever and a great way to recycle an old garment. Sorry, as much as I liked it, since the heat index here in Florida has already hit triple digits my first thought on seeing the complete Summer outfit was OMG he's going to die.

[@Cornflakes0812]

Sick.

[@skjaldulfr]

That's a good ranger look! All those layers on your lower body look cool, but I figure its more practical to wear either (1) leg-wraps with shoes/ankle boots, OR (2) knee-high boots. Instead of both.

[@solaire773]

I myself wouldve used a cloak / cowl or two of them in tandem incase it rained and i also like the look better

[@johndouglaswilson7504]

Nice, you definitely look the part.

[@rileyernst9086]

Perhaps linnen leg wraps would be more suitable for summer? I guess it'd be a bit more exspensive.

[@LivingAnachronism]

You're right, I just don't have any :)

[@trevorsawyers3173]

SUMMER!?!?!?

[@LivingAnachronism]

I got carried away and started adding lots of layers for the sake of the video. This would be good for fall too ;)

[@user-td1xw1tt9m]

пришила капюшон-как потащат за капюшон,-про полет; приметать слегка.

[@ApocGuy]

sweet setup, although wearing so much wool during summer would kill me :P .

[@johnrohrkaste2073]

Where did you get that linen shirt? And are there other colors out there? Just discovered your channel. Keep up the good work!

[@LivingAnachronism]

Link to the shirt is in the description!

[@peterforden5917]

mediaval fransiscan monks (grey friars) were allowed a robe without a hood for summer, and,...if they wanted one, a robe with a hood for winter wear, shoes/sandals were ONLY for those who could not walk without them,, robes were repaired with sackcloth. People were tougher before.......hmmmm

[@Ozarkwonderer]

Could you do an up close video of your shoulder strap...burden harness. You said in one vid you made it yourself.

[@Perktube1]

LOTR garb for beginners? That's easy: Gollum's thong! 😂😂😂

[@ankereisenman4824]

How do you not roast in all those layers in the summer?!

[@LivingAnachronism]

I value the aesthetic more than my comfort. Not at all realistic of me, honestly

[@mikelangley3919]

Did you make or buy your jerkin? If you bought it could you share that info? Thanks

[@andresvasquez6066]

Any chance you could make a video about how to make a pair of ho's from sleeves?

[@LivingAnachronism]

In my Modern hoodie to medieval hood video, I probably talk about it there. Take the sleeves off a hoodie, put them on your legs treating the ankle as the wrist. Sew a rope/cord or thin strip of fabric to the top edge of the sleeves, where your shoulder would be, so you can tie the sleeves up at your waist.

[@andresvasquez6066]

@@LivingAnachronism okay! Thanks, man. By the way, you're set is a beautiful one

[@elwindil8566]

Are you by chance familiar with the Middle Earth Rangers Forum or MERF as it's known? If not, I can highly recommend it, there are a great many posts there with a fair bit of knowledge and ideas.

[@LivingAnachronism]

I am! A few of my videos are actually video versions of posts I've made on there :) It's an excellent community, good to meet a fellow ranger!

[@elwindil8566]

@@LivingAnachronism it is indeed good to meet a fellow ranger. Mae Govannen. This is the same name I use over there, not that I've posted much. I don't talk much unless I have something to say, generally.

[@LivingAnachronism]

@@elwindil8566 Much like the ents then ;)

[@elwindil8566]

@@LivingAnachronism Indeed.*chuckles softly* I speak low, speak slow and don't speak much at all.

[@ah5721]

Where did you get the socks? Are they warm in 30F and lower temps?

[@gandalftehdank6052]

Do you ever walk out publicly with such anachronistic garb? How would people react? Interested to know.

[@Devin_Stromgren]

I hate to say it but I would recommend loosing those boots, assuming you haven't already. Suede is absolute garbage for footwear. As you yourself said it's extremely bad with moisture, and is also about the least durable form of leather out there.

[@dirtywhitellama]

I have a hard time imagining wearing any significant portion of these things at once in the summer. I guess a person gets used to it, but seems unbearably hot to me. How does that even work?

[@Helliconia54]

clever, however if you are wearing tall boots, those leggings become redundant.

[@oneofthelast1408]

My general experience is folks don't like seeing long hair cloak wearing sword packing weirdos but maybe it's just the way I look I can't tell the difference.😅 be careful ware you go wearing odd things I'm a tard so I figured this out the hard way.😋

[@leaveeye]

It sucks that you have to put that disclaimer just for the crybaby reenactors

[@LivingAnachronism]

Trying not to start unnecessary fights, just want to get people involved ;)