I did the same thing in the beginning. I went into the mountains before beating the elder and became puppy chow. never even knew there was a swamp. ya live ya learn.
bronze is a pain but at least it's the only alloy in the game so far. everything else will be a 1 to 1 piece to bar ratio.
I skip bronze armor myself but on your first playthrough i'd say get yourself a fully upgraded set, beat the elder, then steel yourself against the brutality that is your first trips into the swamp. good luck, my friend.