Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was a landmark video game for the medium as a whole. A major part of that is due to how freeing the game is when it comes to player customization and progression.
Being the first entry in the series to drop the class-based system for more free-flowing build customization, there are plenty of options for how players can approach the game. Light Armor is a popular armor type thanks to how versatile it is for different character builds, and these are some of Skyrim's best sets depending on the player's chosen style and statistical preferences.
Dawnguard Set
While there have been several exceptional video game DLC expansions that went above and beyond, Skyrim's Dawnguard and Dragonborn are worthy shouts. Naturally, both took the opportunity to add new armor sets for their new bit of story and lore, with the Dawnguard Light Armor set being one of the best balances of accessible and durable ones.
Dawnguard can be started fairly early in the game, has a full set rating of 61, and is easily purchasable upon joining the vampire-hunting faction. This makes for solid early- to mid-game armor.
Chitin Set
Essentially a higher-tier version of the Morag Tong set, the Chitin Armor set can be found in Solstheim while playing through the Dragonborn DLC expansion. They're solid pieces of armor with a variety of ways to get the full set.
Chitin Armor pieces can be crafted through the Elven Smithing/Smithing perks, found as loot randomly or by killing Reavers specifically, and in Glover Mallory's house. And as impressive as its 85 armor rating is (if players opt for carrying the shield), having only a 16-point weight value is even better.
Linwe's Set
As admittedly plain as Linwe's Armor set looks, it's a respectable one when it comes to stats for those who don't already have something better on hand. It's a unique armor set, as it can't be crafted through smithing and only appears as a loot drop in Glover Mallory's basement.
To get there, players will need to progress far enough into the Solstheim side questline. The Linwe's Armor set will give players a solid 72 armor rating at only 13 weight points, along with some impressive enchantments to benefit archers and assassins.
Stalhrim Light Set
Another set introduced through the Dragonborn DLC, the Stalhrim Light Armor variation is the second-strongest when it comes to raw rating. With the shield, it stands at a staggering 108 and a still-impressive 78.5 without it. While it doesn't have any enchantments, its defenses still make it worth picking up, especially considering how accessible it is.
They're sold by several NPCs in Solstheim and can be found as random drops starting at Level 35. Should players want something with enchantments for added boons, the Deathbrand set is an alternate version of Stalhrim Armor.
Ancient Falmer Set
The Ancient Falmer set is essentially a weaker variant of the Glass armor set since it lacks a helmet, but it comes with the convenient benefit of being lighter. It comes as a reward from the "Touching the Sky" quest, totaling an average 60 full-armor rating.
It's certainly not the sturdiest of Light Armor sets, but it's fairly versatile for players looking to put together a nimble character build. Likewise, it doesn't take much effort to acquire, as it's a simple loot drop from the aforementioned quest.
Glass Set
Despite the name making it sound frail, Glass Armor is one of the most reliable Light Armor sets in Skyrim. It's also quite friendly in terms of accessibility, as pieces of it can be found either as dropped loot or from smithing.
Unlike armor pieces like Dragonscale, for instance, Glass Armor is somewhat common to find as loot once the player reaches Level 36. The full set is heavier than the aforementioned Falmer set, but it comes with a helmet for full protection to boast an impressive 100 rating without a shield and 103 with one.
Nightingale Set
The Thieves Guild is one of the best side factions to join in Skyrim, and they also give the Dragonborn strong armor sets for those aiming for a build that lives up to the organization's name. As incredible as Skyrim's replay value is, the Nightingale Armor set is likely one that players have repeatedly sought after at the end of the Guild's questline.
It has a strong rating of 69 for Light Armor, along with a wealth of enchantments that make its 18 weight points more than worth enduring. The Moon Knight-like set is perhaps one of the most visually unique armor pieces in Skyrim as well.
Guild Master's Set
Though it's much less of a visual show-stopper than the Nightingale Armor set, the Guild Master's Armor comes with even better attributes than the former. Belonging to the Thieves Guild's leader, this armor set has a sturdy 76 full rating and comes with some exceptional enchantments for stealthy players.
That being said, there are some cons when it comes to obtaining the full gear. Players will need to complete the Thieves Guild questline as well as do the bonus quests to restore the Guild to what it once was. It's an undeniable grind, but it's also easier to craft than the Nightingale Armor.
Ancient Shrouded Set
The infamous Dark Brotherhood arguably provides the best side questlines in Skyrim's base game. Naturally, given the story's reputation and lore behind the Brotherhood, they also give the Dragonborn some worthwhile armor. The basic Shrouded Armor given early upon joining the Dark Brotherhood is a good beginner set, but the Ancient variation gets a notable boost.
It has a full set defense rating of 72 and is extremely lightweight. This combination of defensive and weight balance makes it a convincing set, especially since its enchantments make it excellent for both close-range assassins (daggers) and ranged ones (bows).
Dragonscale Set
Dragon armor is, unsurprisingly, one of the most defensively sturdy sets in the game and the Dragonscale Light Armor is worth grinding for. It was a whopping 111 full armor rating, however, that's when including the shield.
Once the player reaches Level 50, pieces of this armor can drop as enchanted loot from Skyrim's strongest dragon variants and standard from chests. However, these drops are quite rare so smithing is probably the more viable option. If players don't mind the grind or using one hand to hold the shield, it's a formidable Light Armor set.