Square Enix's 2018 title Octopath Traveler is a JRPG following the picaresque narrative of eight different characters. The game was initially released as an exclusive for the Switch but has since been released for Stadia and the Xbox Game Pass.

Related: Octopath Traveler Is Coming To Xbox

Throughout Octopath Traveler, players will constantly acquire new items and equipment as they complete quests and visit new locations. Armor, garments, and hats not only offer defense against physical and/or elemental damage but can also provide special abilities or stat boosts. Since each of the eight characters has their own fighting style, players will want to experiment with different armor types to find out which outfits work best with each protagonist.

10 Best Attire: Ardante Attire

There are three attires in Octopath Traveler, and they are all useful early game equipment with valuable buffs. Of the three, the Ardante Attire has the best stats and is acquired by completing the final side quest for Sir Miles in Northreach.

This set of clothes has higher defensive stats than the black or wind attires and significantly boosts a character's maximum SP. This makes it useful for magic users such as scholars and the extra SP stacks well with the secret sorcerer job, once players have found the shrine to unlock it.

9 Best Headgear: Silent Bandana

As well as helmets and hats, there are numerous other pieces of headgear, from tiaras and circlets to caps and hairpins. These accessories each have their own benefits and which one will work best will depend on the character wearing them.

The Silent Bandana can be purchased from a vendor in Saintsbridge or found in a chest in the Forest of No Return. This bandana has reasonably good defense stats but most importantly it offers a +111 boost to evasion. Evasion is one of the most important stats in Octopath Traveler, and many of the best shields in the game also have evasion buffs which can be useful for protecting vulnerable characters.

8 Best Garb: Ethereal Dancer Garb

Each character in Octopath Traveler has a job that determines their class and special abilities. As they progress through the game, players will get to choose a second job for each character, and the build they decide upon will determine what armor works best for each of the protagonists.

Related: Octopath Traveler: The Best Sub-Job For Each Character

Garbs are another light armor type, like attires, that often work best with dancers and thieves. The Ethereal Dancer Garb is one of the best costumes for Primrose with a +166 evasion buff. This outfit is located in a chest in the Everhold Amphitheater or can be purchased from the merchant in a red robe found in Grandport Markets.

7 Best Vest: Crystal Vest

Vests generally lack special abilities but make up for it with high defense against both physical and elemental attacks. Like battle-tested weapons, crystal gear includes some of the best armor for players to find in Octopath Traveler.

The crystal vest can be bought from Gaston, the first boss encountered in Olberic's story. After completing all of his chapters, Gaston will replace Olberic as the warden of Cobbleston, after which players can purchase items from him. This vest adds +205 defense against both attack types making it the best armor set for all-round protection against both weapons and magic.

6 Best Robe: Robe Of The Dragon Princess

Robes are a great clothing choice for clerics, scholars, and sorcerers as they often provide strong elemental buffs. While the Robe of Flame has the best SP boost of any outfit in the game, the Robe of the Dragon Princess massively boosts a character's crit chance, making them both very useful in their own way.

Players will be rewarded with this robe after completing the Kaia, Mother of Dragons quest, although another one can be found in a chest in the Grandport Sewers. Critical hits in Octopath Traveler do 25% more damage but only work on spells if players have the sorcerer Divine skill. If players do have this skill, the Robe of the Dragon Princess will make their best spellcaster's attacks even more devastating.

5 Best Heavy Armor: Dragonscale Armor

Unlike other types of clothing types, most armor only protects against physical damage, except for the two elemental sets. Crystal Armor has the best defense of any outfit in the game however, the Dragonscale set is still very tough and greatly increases a character's crit chance.

This armor can be bought from Bale during Olberic's story or from Swordsman Yuri in Marsalim. Olberic will benefit most from this armor as it makes his already powerful attacks even stronger while offering a solid defense against most enemies. Players will definitely want this set before entering the optional Maw of the Ice Dragon area to hunt for hidden items.

4 Best Hat: Adamantine Hat

Cyrus is possibly the best character to pick when first starting Octopath Traveler due to his ability to identify the weaknesses of monsters. As one of the player's primary spellcasters, it is useful to equip Cyrus with items that boost his elemental attacks.

Related: Octopath Traveler: The Individual Stories Of Each Character, Ranked

The Adamantine Hat can be purchased from an Angela in Northreach and another one is located in a chest in the Maw of the Ice Dragon. This hat provides substantial defense against both damage types as well as a +88 buff to elemental attacks.

3 Best Coat: Princess Coat

There are numerous side quests in Octopath Traveler, and many of them have unique items as rewards. During the Ria, Born to Roam quest, players encounter a mysterious woman investigating a corrupt desert chieftain. At the end of this quest, Ria reveals herself to be the daughter of the king of Marsalim and rewards the player with the best coat in the game.

The Princess Coat has solid defensive capabilities as well as a special ability that restores 100 hp per turn. This coat is useful for Ophelia by keeping her at full HP so she can focus on healing other characters.

2 Best Helm: Crystal Helm

Often in turn-based combat, players will want their party member at the front to be capable of both dealing damage and deflecting it. Warriors and Warmasters are good characters for tanking damage and as such should be given the toughest armor.

As with other crystal gear, the Crystal Helm offers the highest physical defense of any helmet in the game, making it a great choice for Olberic. Players can find this item in a chest in Dragonsong Fane or purchased from Natalia in Stoneguard Valleys.

1 Best Cape: Silent Cape

Money is not always necessary for buying the best items and equipment in Octopath Traveler, as some characters are capable of stealing items from vendors. The thief job offers a natural +8% to evasion and boosting this with outfits can help thieves regularly dodge most attacks aimed at them.

The Silent Cape is a common item sold by vendors in numerous locations such as Everhold, Northreach, and Noblecourt. This cape provides +147 evasion making it useful for weaker characters who cannot afford to lose a lot of HP.

Next: Octopath Traveler: Every Forbidden Weapon & How To Acquire Them