I suggest chrome tanned leather, cheaper than braintanned.
Go for a thicker hide than deer if you can possibly swing it. Deer's great for a few years, but get elkhide or moose... even horse or cow and it's great for a long long time!
Making a Lakota Warshirt as we speak (hence the reason my saw for the competition isn't done!) out of wild bull elk... beautiful leather. Costing me $500, thank god I know the supplier well