My latest character (a Redguard Dungeon Delver) had me looking something that has bugged me in Skyrim: Light or Heavy armor? What is the real difference between them?

At low levels, there is certainly a difference as heavy armor generally gives the player better protection. But when looking long range, there really is no difference between the 2 armors. Roleplaying certainly factors in here, but this character is not being roleplayed

What I am getting at is that in my head, I see "Light Armor" and think less protection with better mobility. I see "Heavy Armor" and think better protection with less mobility. But this is not how it is done in Skyrim, as far as I can tell.

According to the http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Armor:

So... Light armor gives as much protection as heavy armor. I have also not noticed any gain or loss in mobility between the two, though I could be wrong here. I run just as fast. I tire just as quickly (I think). So my "mobility thinking" is wrong. According to the UESP, my "protection thinking" is wrong.

Is the only difference between the two only aesthetics, at higher levels?

they both can reach the cap which will mean they have the same protection.

you move slower in heavy armour. but with the steed stone you move the same speed no matter what you wear.

That must be the reason I do not see the difference in speed. I, lately, have been using just the steed stone

^^^

^^^ dammit...you beat me to it...need to calibrate better..

Meow...

Heavy armor also makes stealth more difficult, as it's noisier. Bandits always hear me coming long before they see me, which is why I only wear light armor now.

I also find heavy armor to be a little weird when I'm swimming, yet flawlessly without sinking. Weird.

considering you can reach the armor cap with either, as such light armor is more advantageous.. as you make less noise while sneaking plus move a bit faster..

Besides, IMO Light Armor has some of the much more attractive sets

Realistically they should have a greater difference, but eventually it's just purely a matter of aesthetics and role play (thief vs. knight for example)

My decision is only based on what looks the best. The cap is easy enough to reach, and only a handful of enemies are worth their salt.

It's easier to dodge in light armor, and then you can take a good standing stone instead of the Steed