Light Armor in Skyrim refers to armor that is lighter, provide better stealth and use less stamina when sprinting. Light Armor provides damage reduction against physical attacks up to a maximum of 80% damage reduction. This is achieved at 567 total armor rating when using 4 pieces of armor without a shield. Light armor is supported by the light armor skill. Armor can be enchanted with magical effects and improved with Smithing.
Skyrim's Best Light Armor
The best Light Armors can be specially found or specifically crafted by players in Skyrim. The overall best sets of Light armor come with some difficult requirements for the player to achieve before being available. Players are recommended to find and use other sets or pieces of armor while working towards these armors. The following sets or armor are amongst the best Light Armors.
- Ancient Shrouded Armor: obtained through the Dark Brotherhood quest. Each piece of armor comes with enchantments that assist with stealth gameplay with huge sneak attack damage bonuses and providing the muffle effect.
- Deathbrand armor: obtained through the Deathbrand Quest on Solstheim. Each piece of armor has an enchantment that increases with the number of Deathbrand armor pieces the player is wearing and comes with a +100 armor rating bonus when wearing the full set, giving it the best base armor rating of all light armors.
- Dragonscale armor: obtained by crafting with level 100 Smithing and the Dragon Armor perk. Dragonscale armor provides the highest armor value per piece amongst Light Armor pieces with the full set providing 82 armor for 20 weight.
Benefits of Using Light Armor in Skyrim
- Weighs less than heavy armor allowing players to pick more things up
- Makes less noise making sneaking easier as enemies do not detect the noise as easily
- Less stamina is drained when sprinting
All Skyrim Light Armors
Quick Search of All Skyrim Light Armors
Click the header to sort the table.
Name | Armor Type | Weight | Armor | Effects |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Ancient Shrouded Cowl |
Light Headgears | 1 | 15 | Bows do 35% more damage. 25 point armor bonus when wearing the full set of Ancient Shrouded Armor |
![]() Blackguard's Hood |
Light Headgears | 2 | 18 | Prices are 25% better |
![]() Chitin Helmet |
Light Headgears | 1 | 13.5 | Can be made with the Elven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
![]() Dawnguard Helmet |
Light Headgears | 1.5 | 16 | 25% less damage from Vampire attacks and Drain Life spells while wearing a full Dawnguard armor set |
![]() Deathbrand Helm |
Light Headgears | 2 | 16.5 | Provides Waterbreathing effect When the full Deathbrand armor is equiped the player receives the Deathbrand Instinct Armor Ability that increases 100 armor |
![]() Diadem of the Savant |
Light Headgears | 4 | 7 | Reduces Magicka cost for spells in all schools by 5% |
![]() Dragonscale Helmet |
Light Headgears | 4 | 17 | Can be made with the Dragon Armor perk and Smithing level 100 |
![]() Elven Helmet |
Light Headgears | 1 | 13 | Can be made with the Elven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
![]() Elven Light Helmet |
Light Headgears | 1 | 12 | Obtained as random loot from Thalmor soldiers |
![]() Falkreath Guard's Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 11 | Can be found on the Falkreath Hold Guards |
![]() Forsworn Headdress |
Light Headgears | 2 | 12 | Can be found on members of the Forsworn throughout The Reach |
![]() Fur Helmet |
Light Headgears | 1 | 11 | There are only 10 known fur helmets that can be found in Skyrim |
![]() Glass Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 16 | Can be made with the Glass Smithing perk and Smithing level 70 |
![]() Guild Master's Hood |
Light Headgears | 3 | 16 | Prices are 20% better |
![]() Helmet of the Old Gods |
Light Headgears | 1 | 12 | Increases your Magicka by 30 points |
![]() Hide Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 10 | Can be made without any smithing levels or perks. |
![]() Hjaalmarch Guard's Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 11 | Can be found on the Hjaalmarch Hold Guards |
![]() Imperial Light Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 11 | Can be made with the Steel Smithing perk and Smithing level 20 |
![]() Krosis |
Light Headgears | 5 | 21 | Lockpicking, Archery, and Alchemy are 20% better. |
![]() Leather Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 12 | Can be made without any smithing levels or perks. |
![]() Linwe's Hood |
Light Headgears | 2 | 16 | Bows do 15% more damage |
![]() Markarth Guard's Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 11 | Can be found on the Markarth Hold Guards |
![]() Morag Tong Hood |
Light Headgears | 1.5 | 12 | Can be found on Morag Tong assassins |
![]() Morokei |
Light Headgears | 4 | 5 | Magicka regenerates 100% faster. |
![]() Nightingale Hood |
Light Headgears | 2 | 15 | Illusion spells cost 12-17% less to cast. |
![]() Noster's Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 12 | Can be found in Haafingar hold |
![]() Pale Guard's Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 11 | Can be found on the Pale Hold Guards |
![]() Penitus Oculatus Helmet |
Light Headgears | 1 | 11 | Can be found on Penitus Oculatus Agents or in Penitus Oculatus Outpost |
![]() Riften Guard's Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 11 | Can be found on the Riften Hold Guards |
![]() Scaled Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 14 | Can be made with the Advanced Armors perk and Smithing level 50 |
![]() Skaal Hat |
Light Headgears | 1.5 | 6 | Worn by Skaal villagers on the island of Solstheim |
![]() Shrouded Cowl |
Light Headgears | 2 | 13 | Bows do 20% more damage. |
![]() Shrouded Cowl Maskless |
Light Headgears | 2 | 13 | Bows do 20% more damage. |
![]() Solitude Guard's Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 11 | Can be found on the Solitude Hold Guards |
![]() Stalhrim Light Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 16.5 | The Resist Frost enchantment is 25% stronger when placed on Stalhrim Armor |
![]() Stormcloak Officer Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 12 | Can be acquired in few ways. |
![]() Thieves Guild Hood |
Light Headgears | 1.5 | 13 | Prices are 10% better |
![]() Torturer's Hood |
Light Headgears | 1 | 13 | Obtained from killing the torturer during the Unbound Quest |
![]() Volsung |
Light Headgears | 5 | 21 | Prices are 20% better, Carry 20 points more, and can breathe underwater. |
![]() Winterhold Guard's Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 11 | Can be found on the Winterhold Hold Guards |
![]() Whiterun Guard's Helmet |
Light Headgears | 2 | 11 | Can be found on the Whiterun Hold Guards |
![]() Wooden Mask |
Light Headgears | 2 | 1 | When equipped while in the Sanctuary will transport the player to the restored shrine where they can obtain Konahrik |
![]() Worn Shrouded Cowl |
Light Headgears | 2 | 8 | Cannot be upgraded |
![]() Ancient Falmer Cuirass |
Light Cuirasses | 7 | 38 | Can be obtain by defeating Arch-Curate Vyrthur during the quest Touching the Sky |
![]() Ancient Shrouded Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 5 | 33 | Increases Poison Resistance by 100% 25 point armor bonus for wearing full Ancient Shrouded Armor set. |
![]() Armor of the Old Gods |
Light Cuirasses | 3 | 24 | Destruction spells cost 15% less to cast |
![]() Blackguard's Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 7 | 33 | Carry capacity is increased by 50 points |
![]() Chitin Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 4 | 30 | Can be made with the Elven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
![]() Dawnguard Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 29 | 25% less damage from Vampire attacks and Drain Life spells while wearing a full Dawnguard armor set There are 3 variants with different looks. |
![]() Deathbrand Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 7 | 39 | Adds 15 points of Stamina for each piece of Deathbrand armor worn When the full Deathbrand armor is equipped the player receives the Deathbrand Instinct Armor Ability that increases 100 armor |
![]() Dragonscale Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 10 | 41 | Can be made with the Dragon Armor perk and Smithing level 100 |
![]() Elven Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 4 | 29 | Can be made with the Elven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
![]() Elven Gilded Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 4 | 35 | Can be made with the Elven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
![]() Elven Light Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 4 | 26 | Can be found on Thalmor Warriors and Thalmor Archers in Northwatch Keep |
![]() Falkreath Guard's Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 23 | Can be found on the Falkreath Hold Guards |
![]() Forsworn Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 26 | Can be found on members of the Forsworn throughout The Reach |
![]() Fur Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 23 | There are 4variants with different looks. |
![]() Glass Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 7 | 38 | Can be made with the Glass Smithing perk and Smithing level 70 |
![]() Guild Master's Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 10 | 38 | Carrying capacity increased by 50 points |
![]() Hide Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 5 | 20 | Can be made without any smithing levels or perks. |
![]() Hjaalmarch Guard's Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 23 | Can be found on the Hjaalmarch Hold Guards |
![]() Imperial Light Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 23 | Can be made with the Steel Smithing perk and Smithing level 20 |
![]() Linwe's Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 8 | 31 | Increases your Stamina by 15 points |
![]() Leather Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 26 | Can be made without any smithing levels or perks. |
![]() Markarth Guard's Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 23 | Can be found on the Markarth Hold Guards |
![]() Morag Tong Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 5 | 26 | Can be found on Morag Tong assassins |
![]() Nightingale Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 12 | 34 | Increases your Stamina by 20-40 points. Increases Frost Resistance by 15-50%. |
![]() Pale Guard's Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 23 | Can be found on the Pale Hold Guards |
![]() Penitus Oculatus Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 23 | Can be found on Penitus Oculatus Agents and in the Penitus Oculatus Outpost |
![]() Riften Guard's Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 23 | Can be found on the Riften Hold Guards |
![]() Savior's Hide |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 26 | Increases Magic Resistance by 15%. Increases Poison Resistance by 50%. |
![]() Scaled Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 32 | Can be made with the Advanced Armors perk and Smithing level 50 |
![]() Shrouded Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 7 | 29 | Increases poison resistance by 50% |
![]() Skaal Coat |
Light Cuirasses | 5 | 26 | Worn by Skaal villagers on the island of Solstheim |
![]() Solitude Guard's Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 23 | Can be found on the Solitude Hold Guards |
![]() Stalhrim Light Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 7 | 39 | The Resist Frost enchantment is 25% stronger when placed on Stalhrim Armor |
![]() Stormcloak Officer Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 8 | 27 | Can be acquired in few ways. |
![]() Studded Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 23 | Can be made without any smithing levels or perks. |
![]() Studded Imperial Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 23 | Can be found on Imperial Legion Soldiers |
![]() Thieves Guild Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 7 | 29 | Carrying capacity increased by 20 points |
![]() Vampire Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 5 | 25 | The black version is commonly used while the red version is mostly used by Blooded Vampires and Master Vampires |
![]() Vampire Royal Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 9 | 30 | Magicka regenerates 125% faster |
![]() Whiterun Guard's Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 23 | Can be found on the Whiterun Hold Guards |
![]() Winterhold Guard's Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 23 | Can be found on the Winterhold Hold Guards |
![]() Worn Shrouded Armor |
Light Cuirasses | 6 | 20 | Cannot be upgraded. Can be enchanted. |
![]() Ancient Falmer Gauntlets |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 11 | Can only be obtained by defeating Arch-Curate Vyrthur during the quest Touching the Sky. |
![]() Ancient Shrouded Gloves |
Light Gauntlets | 1 | 12 | Double sneak attack damage with one-handed weapons |
![]() Blackguard's Gloves |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 8 | Lockpicking is 40% easier |
![]() Chitin Bracers |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 8.5 | Can be made with the Elven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
![]() Cultist Gloves |
Light Gauntlets | 1.5 | 7 | Can be found on Cultists |
![]() Dawnguard Gauntlets |
Light Gauntlets | 1.5 | 8 | 25% less damage from Vampire attacks and Drain Life spells while wearing a full Dawnguard armor set |
![]() Deathbrand Gauntlets |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 11.5 | Adds 10% more one-handed damage for each piece of Deathbrand armor worn When the full Deathbrand armor is equiped the player receives the Deathbrand Instinct Armor Ability that increases 100 armor |
![]() Dragonscale Gauntlets |
Light Gauntlets | 3 | 12 | Can be made with the Dragon Armor perk and Smithing level 100 |
![]() Elven Gauntlets |
Light Gauntlets | 1 | 8 | Can be made with the Elven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
![]() Elven Light Gauntlets |
Light Gauntlets | 1 | 7 | Can be found on Thalmor Warriors and Thalmor archers in Northwatch Keep |
![]() Fine Armguards |
Light Gauntlets | 0.5 | 7 | Can be found on Bryling in Solitude |
![]() Forsworn Gauntlets |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 7 | Can be found on Forsworn members |
![]() Fur Bracers |
Light Gauntlets | 1 | 6 | Can be upgraded with Leather |
![]() Fur Gauntlets |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 5 | Can be upgraded with Leather |
![]() Gauntlets of the Old Gods |
Light Gauntlets | 0.5 | 7 | Bows do 20% more damage |
![]() Gilded Wristguards |
Light Gauntlets | 0.5 | 7 | Can be found on the Emperor's ship, The Katariah, during the Dark Brotherhood quest Hail Sithis!. |
![]() Glass Gauntlets |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 11 | Can be made with the Glass Smithing perk and Smithing level 70 |
![]() Gloves of the Pugilist |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 5 | Unarmed strikes do 10 additional damage |
![]() Guild Master's Gloves |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 11 | Lockpicking is 35% easier |
![]() Hide Bracers |
Light Gauntlets | 1 | 5 | Can be made without any smithing levels or perks. |
![]() Imperial Light Bracers |
Light Gauntlets | 1 | 6 | Can be made with the Steel Smithing perk and Smithing level 20 |
![]() Leather Bracers |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 7 | Can be made without any smithing levels or perks. |
![]() Linwe's Gloves |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 11 | One-handed attacks do 15% more damage |
![]() Miraak's Gloves |
Light Gauntlets | 1.5 | 7 | Gives 5% spell absorption |
![]() Morag Tong Bracers |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 7 | Can be found on Morag Tong assassins |
![]() Nightingale Gloves |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 10 | One-handed attacks do 15-25% more damage Lockpicking is 15-25% easier |
![]() Penitus Oculatus Bracers |
Light Gauntlets | 1 | 6 | Can be found on Penitus Oculatus Agents and in the Penitus Oculatus Outpost |
![]() Scaled Bracers |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 9 | Can be made with the Advanced Armors perk and Smithing level 50 |
![]() Shrouded Gloves |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 8 | Sneak attacks do double damage |
![]() Skaal Gloves |
Light Gauntlets | 1.5 | 7 | Worn by Skaal villagers on the island of Solstheim |
![]() Stalhrim Light Bracers |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 11.5 | The Resist Frost enchantment is 25% stronger when placed on Stalhrim Armor |
![]() Stormcloak Officer Bracers |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 7 | Can be acquired in few ways. |
![]() Thieves Guild Gloves |
Light Gauntlets | 1 | 9 | Lockpicking is 15% easier |
![]() Tumblerbane Gloves |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 7 | Lockpicking is 20% easier |
![]() Ulfric's Bracers |
Light Gauntlets | 0.5 | 5 | Can be only found on the leader of the Stormcloaks, Ulfric Stormcloak |
![]() Vampire Gauntlets |
Light Gauntlets | 1.5 | 8 | Benefits from Advanced Armors perk |
![]() Worn Shrouded Gloves |
Light Gauntlets | 2 | 4 | Cannot be upgraded. |
![]() Ancient Falmer Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 20 | Can only be obtained by defeating Arch-Curate Vyrthur during Touching the Sky. |
![]() Ancient Shrouded Boots |
Light Boots | 0.5 | 12 | Wearer is muffled and moves silently. |
![]() Blackguard's Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 13 | Pickpocket success is increased by 40% |
![]() Boots of the Old Gods |
Light Boots | 1.5 | 7 | Sneaking is 20% better |
![]() Chitin Boots |
Light Boots | 1 | 8.5 | Can be made with the Elven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
![]() Dawnguard Boots |
Light Boots | 1.5 | 8 | 25% less damage from Vampire attacks and Drain Life spells while wearing a full Dawnguard armor set |
![]() Deathbrand Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 11.5 | Adds 10 Carry capacity for each piece of Deathbrand armor worn When the full Deathbrand armor is equipped the player receives the Deathbrand Instinct Armor Ability that increases 100 armor |
![]() Dragonscale Boots |
Light Boots | 3 | 12 | Can be made with the Dragon Armor perk and Smithing level 100 |
![]() Elven Boots |
Light Boots | 1 | 8 | Can be made with the Glass Smithing perk and Smithing level 70 |
![]() Elven Light Boots |
Light Boots | 1 | 7 | Can be found on Thalmor Warriors and Thalmor Archers in Northwatch Keep |
![]() Forsworn Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 7 | Can be found on Forsworn members throughout The Reach |
![]() Fur Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 5 | Can be upgraded with Leather |
![]() Fur Shoes |
Light Boots | 2 | 6 | Can be upgraded with Leather |
![]() Glass Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 11 | Can be made with the Glass Smithing perk and Smithing level 70 |
![]() Guild Master's Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 11 | Pickpocket success is 35% better |
![]() Hide Boots |
Light Boots | 1 | 5 | Can be made without any smithing levels or perks. |
![]() Imperial Light Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 6 | Can be made with the Steel Smithing perk and Smithing level 20 |
![]() Linwe's Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 11 | 15% increase in Sneak |
![]() Leather Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 7 | Can be made without any smithing levels or perks. |
![]() Miraak's Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 11 | Gives 5% spell absorption |
![]() Morag Tong Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 8 | Can be found on Morag Tong assassins |
![]() Movarth's Boots |
Light Boots | 1 | 5 | 15% increase in Sneak |
![]() Nightingale Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 10 | Wearer is muffled and moves silently. |
![]() Penitus Oculatus Boots |
Light Boots | 1 | 6 | Can be found on Penitus Oculatus Agents and in the Penitus Oculatus Outpost |
![]() Predator's Grace |
Light Boots | 1 | 5 | Wearer is muffled and moves silently. Stamina regenerates 1% faster. |
![]() Scaled Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 9 | Can be made with the Advanced Armors perk and Smithing level 50 |
![]() Shrouded Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 8 | Wearer is muffled and moves silently. |
![]() Skaal Boots |
Light Boots | 1.5 | 7 | Worn by Skaal villagers on the island of Solstheim |
![]() Stalhrim Light Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 11.5 | The Resist Frost enchantment is 25% stronger when placed on Stalhrim Armor |
![]() Stormcloak Officer Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 7 | Can be acquired in few ways. |
![]() Thieves Guild Boots |
Light Boots | 1.5 | 9 | Pickpocket success is 15% better |
![]() Vampire Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 7 | Benefits from Advanced Armors perk |
![]() Worn Shrouded Boots |
Light Boots | 2 | 3 | Cannot be upgraded |