Skyrim Anniversary Edition Survival Mode Spoiler - How to Get the Warmest Light Armors

 Fur  Glass  Stalhrim  Dragonscale  Nightingale  Skaal  Ancient Shrouded Cowl  Orish Scaled  Daedric Mail  Amber  Studded Dragonscale

Staying warm in survival mode presents a new challenge for role players especially in the northernmost regions. Heavy armor is the easiest option. Steel armor with high warmth ratings appear as loot early and only requires one smithing skill point to craft. Glass is the earliest craftable light option. It requires 70 points to unlock the perk in the light smithing tree and becomes lootable at around level 36.  Early game light armor builds need to either wear heavy armor or stick around warmer areas of the map until some warm light sets can be acquired. I've included here a list of the warmest light armors that I am aware of with screenshots of the sets that I have acquired. The maximum equipment warmth stats that I have seen are 54 for body armor, 29 for helmets and 24 for boots and gauntlets. There doesn't seem to be a penalty for being too warm so these sets can be worn anywhere. 

Lootable Only

Fur 

There's no helmet so the Matched Set armor skill bonus does not apply but any light helmet will count for the Custom Fit skill bonus. To get the maximum warmth value in very cold regions I made do by swapping a helmet out for a warm hood. Four variations on the body armour can be looted typically from bandits but only the full body sleeved version has the maximum warmth value of 54. It's not craftable but can be tempered with leather but no smithing skill bonuses apply.

Craftable

Glass 

Glass items do not appear as loot until at least level 36. Crafting requires Refined Malachite Ingots and the Glass Smithing perk. The gauntlets with this set only have a warmth value of 13 for some reason so the set does not reach maximum warmth value although still better than a medium warmth set.

Stalhrim (no photo)  

Crafting Stalhrim armor requires the Dragonborn DLC, the Ebony Smithing perk and the quest A New Source of Stalhrim. Skyrim:A New Source of Stalhrim - The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP). Stalhrim can only be mined using an Ancient Nordic Pickaxe. Light Stalhrim armor pieces are very rarely found in loot or on Solstheim vendors' lists. Thanks to that and the heavy smithing requirement I have not collected a full set. I was able to collect the body armor and helmet from the unique Deathbrand set awarded by completing the Deathbrand quest but sadly the armor is not warm and I didn't bother with the rest. Skyrim:Deathbrand (quest) - The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP) 

Dragonscale (no photo)

The best light armor from the base game starts appearing rarely as loot around level 46. Requires Dragon Scales to craft and temper and crafting requires the Dragon Armor perk. Skyrim:Dragon Items - The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP)

Faction Armors

Thieves Guild Nightingale Armor 

Players receive this enchanted leveled armor set during the Trinity Restored Quest which is part of the Thieves Guild quest line. The full set adds Fortify Stamina, Resist Frost, Muffle, Fortify Lockpicking, Fortify One Handed, Fortify Illusion and the Nightingale Full Set Ability which boosts armor rating by 25 points. Tempering requires void salts and the Arcane Blacksmith Smithing skill. Considering my character is a light armored, dual dagger wielding assassin/thief, I was pretty delighted with this set and kept it equipped for a long time. Skyrim:Nightingale Armor - The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP)

Skaal Equipment (no photo)

These clothing sets are added by the Dragonborn DLC and are worn by Skaal villagers and hunters. They are warm but don't offer much damage protection and can neither be tempered or crafted. A full set can be found during the quest Old Friends in Highpoint Tower and a partial set can be looted from an NPC in Fahlbtharz. A hat can also be found in a barrel southwest of Hrothmund's Barrow.

Dark Brotherhood Ancient Shrouded Cowl 

Dark Brotherhood armor is leather which is not warm but this head piece from the unique Ancient Shrouded armor can be equipped beneath another helmet or cowl boosting armor and warmth rating. With a torch equipped it is possible to get a warmth rating of 214 which will get the player character pretty far without needing a warm up. The armor set is awarded by the Locate the Assassin of Old quest. The quest is unlocked through the main Dark Brotherhood quest Breaching Security. If the optional tasks of stealing Gaius Maro's travel schedule and killing him in a major city are completed, Gabriella will award Olava's Token. Take the token to Olava in Whiterun to get the Locate the Assassin of Old quest. The armor can be tempered with leather and the Arcane Blacksmith perk. The cowl is enchanted with Fortify Archery but must be equipped before any other head gear is equipped for the stats to count. It seems to work with heavy armor sets as well. I doubt this was intended but it definitely helps out with long, cold journeys. Skyrim:Ancient Shrouded Cowl - The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP)

Creation Club

Alternative Armors Orcish Scaled Creation

Reading Guard's Dossier: Antonius at the Mistveil Keep Barracks in Riften unlocks the quest Gambler's Edge. A full set can be looted during the quest and can be crafted on completion. Even though this is classed as a light armor and benefits from Light Armor perks crafting requires the Orcish Smithing perk on the heavy side of the tree. It has a good armor rating but is heavy without the Unhindered Light Armor perk. It can be tempered with Orichalcum and enchanted. Skyrim:Alternative Armors - Orcish Scaled - The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP)

Alternative Armors - Daedric Mail

This is another light variation from the heavy armor smithing tree. The associated quest Missing Merchant can be acquired any time by speaking with the innkeeper at Candlehearth Hall in Windhelm. Skyrim:Alternative Armors - Daedric Mail - The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP) There is no helmet with this this set but having the three pieces equipped will award light armor perk bonuses. A heavy Daedric helmet still counts as a light armor matching set so the Ancient Shrouded Cowl trick comes in handy here. The set can be enchanted and crafting requires the Daedric Smithing perk. Tempering requires ebony ingots. See Skyrim:Daedric - The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP) for more information on armor perks and smithing requirements.

Saints & Seducers Creation - Amber

Amber is one of two new materials added by this creation. Skyrim:Amber - The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP) The main quests for this creation are a bit of a challenge early in the game but the rewards are pretty good. The main questline starts by speaking with Ri'saad the Kahjiit merchant outside Whiterun or Windhelm. Reading the Note on Amber and Madness Ore found on a table at the conclusion of the Restoring Order quest will direct you to an area north of Mistwatch. There defeat Evethra and loot and read her journal. Skyrim:Amber and Madness Smithing - The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP) Crafting Amber weapons and armor require the Glass Smithing perk but the armor rates higher than Dragonscale. It can be enchanted and is tempered with amber. I think the helmet really suits my Kahjiit.

Alternative Armors - Dragonscale (Studded Dragonscale)

Amber and Studded Dragonscale are now the highest rated light armors with the latter rated highest. Look for a book called the Crimson Dirks v4 in Candlehearth Hall in Windhelm. Reading it activates the quest Tilted Scales. The full set is looted from a locked chest at the conclusion of the quest. Skyrim:Tilted Scales - The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP) Crafting requires the Dragon Armor Smithing perk and the armors can be tempered with Dragonscales. This is a great option for players like me who are avoiding the main questline and are not collecting Dragonscales.