Good point, especially if the Cleric or Druid has Bracers of Armour +5 or something, but in practice, is it really that bad, considering that magicing up armour and shields is generally cheaper than making bracers?
Consider, for a mid-level cleric with Wis 20, and Dex 12 with 50k gp burning in his pocket...
Bracers of Armour +5 (36,000 gp)
Monk's Belt (13,000 gp)
Total AC 22, Cost: 49,000 gp
Full Plate +5 (26,650 gp)
Large Steel Shield +4 (16,170 gp)
Total AC 30, Cost 42,820 gp
Going the tank route is still way, way better, but if it's that big of a problem in your campaign, make it an armour bonus for anyone other than a monk.
-- Vurt
