Arc Raiders Unveils Exciting New Skin, But Players Are Divided Over Leather Knee Pads

A fresh batch of armor in Arc Raiders has sparked a mix of excitement and laughter among players, especially those craving that classic sci-fi soldier vibe.

If you’re a fan of brown leather, olive green wool, jumpsuits, and oversized pockets, you’re in for a treat with the game’s diverse outfit selection. Since launch, Embark has expanded the wardrobe options, introducing some standout (and often pricier) styles like the mystical Bonecrown set and a BioShock-inspired diving suit. However, the basic outfits lean heavily into a near-future grunge aesthetic, often resembling a mashup of retro cassette vibes and sporty looks. While it might be a stretch to say most outfits are just variations of NPCs from the Metro series, there’s definitely a hint of truth to that observation.

When the January 13 update rolled out the new Abyss outfit, promising a “heavily armored suit” designed “to absorb the punishment of the machines,” players were intrigued. Unfortunately, that excitement quickly faded for many when they caught sight of the lower half of the Abyss armor, which features, let’s see, a crotch plate and thigh-high leather kneepads that could redefine “absorb the punishment.”

One Reddit user humorously dubbed them “BDSM knee pads,” igniting a wave of reactions ranging from disbelief to laughter, with a few defenders emerging within the Arc Raiders community. Another player likened them to corsets, but for your thighs.

“Are we serious?” questioned user Vexaus, comparing these thigh-hugging pieces to the iconic all-in-one Converse jeans.

“Finally a nice skin,” exclaimed user LavishnessDue6, who went all out by pairing the outfit with stockings and high heels.

“NOW it fits, thank you Embark for fixing!” the same user posted, showcasing a version of the outfit that ditched the under layer for a muscle-revealing leather ensemble.

When I shared a picture of these leather leggings in our work chat, my colleague responded with optimism, saying, “I think they’re kind of cute.” But after revealing the full outfit, her enthusiasm quickly waned.

While I’m excited for those who fall into the niche of “super soldier enthusiasts” and “leather girdle fans,” I can empathize with players who anticipated this armor—previously teased and highly awaited—might be a bit more understated. The Abyss armor does offer toggles for various features, like the helmet, diving flippers, and life vest, but sadly, the leg-hugging pieces are non-negotiable. On the bright side, this lively discussion indicates that Arc Raiders still has plenty of room to explore its aesthetic.

In related news, the design lead for Arc Raiders clarified that their aggression-based matchmaking is somewhat of a misnomer, emphasizing that they don’t implement skill-based or gear-based matchmaking systems.