It seems to me that the starting equipment is already enough, there is both fabric and leather armor + several types of trophy helmets.

Why not make it possible for players to choose the system for distributing loot in the party? For example :
Fair distribution (whoever excels the most gets the best reward).
Equal distribution.
ONLY the one that caused the most damage receives the reward.
(Sorry, my English is bad, so the thought may not be complete)