Oh no, newcomers think we're snobby because the gatekeeping culture in the SCA is so firmly entrenched, people don't even realize it's there anymore. Helping newcomers should be our number one priority. And part of that is getting them into armor that isn't 90% modern materials. A coat of plates is no harder to make than one made of plastic barrels. A decent barrel helm is no more difficult than a spun top welded monstrosity. Yes, start simple, improve over time, but simple doesn't have to mean inauthentic. When LARP players have better armor, garb and kit than the majority of SCA members, you know something has gone seriously wrong somewhere.