Light Armor ( Skyrim ) Light Armor is a skill in and is one of the six skills that falls under The Thief play - style . Raising this skill improves the effectiveness of the light armors worn , and effects of the armor , such as carry weight and stamina regeneration . The Light Armor skill is raised incurring damage while light armor is equipped , paying a trainer to train the Dragonborn , or by reading skill books . Initially Light armor provides less protection than Heavy Armor , however , due to the maximum in - game armor cap , it will eventually provide just as much protection as Heavy armor . It also weighs less , slows the wearer less , and allows for much quieter sneaking . It comes in several varieties , providing different aesthetics , armor ratings and weights . Books . The following books provide a permanent one level up to Light Armor upon the first time reading . Quests . The following miscellaneous quests increase the Light Armor skill : Armor types . The following are the confirmed light armors that will benefit from this skill : Craftable armor . These armors can be crafted and improved using the requisite perk from the smithing tree along with the required materials at a blacksmith forge and workbench , respectively . Non - craftable armors . These armors are acquired as part of a quest line or looted throughout the world . They may or may not be unique . Perks . The following are the perks that become available to select as the skill is leveled up . Training techniques . Leveling up armor skills is relatively simple : take physical damage in combat while wearing armor pieces of that type . To level up the Light Armor skill most efficiently , wear a full set of Light Armor ( head , hands , feet , chest ) . The rate of skill gain is based on " the total amount of damage incoming before armor is applied " . Thus , taking multiple attacks from a skeever or wolf levels Light Armor at a significantly slower rate than blows from giants or mammoths would . Being the victim of power attacks likewise grants more experience than a standard attack . Conversely increasing armor rating does " not " decrease the rate at which the skill advances . For those who are Guildmaster of the Thieves Guild , wearing the Amulet of Articulation when taking hits will increase the Light Armor skill , as the amulet counts as Light Armor . The Diadem of the Savant also increases the Light Armor skill when worn in battle . One can rapidly level up the skill simply by finding an enemy ( or group of enemies ) which uses physical attacks and allowing them to attack without attacking back . Mudcrabs are useful in this regard , as they have low health yet can do enough damage , especially the larger varieties . Restoration magic and healing potions can be used to restore any damage taken ( thus one can also level up the Restoration skill simultaneously ) . If you have a shield of the appropriate Armor type , one can also upgrade the block skill as well during this process . Taking on larger groups and / or more powerful enemies will level the skill ( s ) faster , but one has to balance their ability to restore their own health against the amount of damage they will be taking . To level up the skill in complete safety , especially at low levels , one can find a brawl opponent willing to brawl repeatedly without charging a wager - usually during a quest such as the " Hired Muscle " quest often dispensed near the beginning of the Companions questline or the " Taking Care of Business " quest for the Thieves Guild . See also .