i had the same issue (see my post here: Link) so i feel for you...
no way around it, i searched for gamesaves prior to mine and i just have to accept that i wont get the armor...
whatevs..i will replay it shortly before the new one comes out then i know to be careful with it...
I just went ahead and used the game save they have here.
I knew I earned everything and the save they have here only has a few things that I didn't mind re-treading anyways. I've saved my old saves, too. I found out that it's best to keep the "online save synch" feature turned off with the Ubisoft Game launcher and I'm good to go either way.