Fallout 4‘s Best Non-Power Armors
Have you ever felt overwhelmed when scrolling through the dozens of armor choices in Fallout 4‘s crafting menus?
As a wasteland wanderer, the armors you equip make a world of difference in surviving radioactive hot zones and high level foes.
But between leather, metal, synth and more – how do you determine which non-power sets are truly the best?
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ve hand-picked my top 10 favorite non-power armors after 100+ hours exploring the Commonwealth – taking into account raw stats, appearance, and how game-changing each feels when equipped.
I‘m going to share armor set locations, crafting tips, build synergy advice – everything you need to get the maximum value from your upgrades.
Let‘s suit up and dive in!
At a Glance
| Armor | Damage Resist | Energy Resist | Weight | Bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Armor | 91 | 158 | 30 | 959 Rad Resist |
| Heavy Synth | 103 | 120 | 57 | Institute Bonuses |
Below I share detailed overviews of all my top armor picks, including exactly where to obtain them and how to use each set to its maximum potential. Let‘s get to it!
1. Hunter‘s Pelt Outfit
Origins: Crafted from various leather pieces. Introduced in Far Harbor DLC.
Stats:
- Damage Resistance – 15
- Energy Resistance – 15
- Weight – 15
- Value – 45
Appearance: Rugged leather outfit with fur trims. Ideal for stealthy hunter/survivalist builds.
How to Get: Craft or loot from Trappers after gaining access to Far Harbor. Easiest to craft once leather materials are obtained.
Analysis: The Hunter‘s Pelt Outfit is a great lightweight armor choice for starting off in Far Harbor. With equal resistances of 15, it provides decent protection without hindering mobility. I love the rugged leather appearance adorned with fur pads and bits of chainmail – perfect for stealthy hunter builds.
It can be upgraded to include various weave types for improved defense. Overall a handy early game armor with cool aesthetics. To maximize its potential, utilize stealth gameplay and never get hit!
2. Heavy Leather Armor
Origins: Sturdy armor crafted from thick animal hide. The toughest non-metal base armor.
Stats:
- Damage Resistance – 68
- Energy Resistance – 108
- Weight – 43.6 (set)
- Value – 191 (set)
Appearance: Rugged all-leather ensemble. The heavyweight leather padding and arm/leg guards give a very brusier-esque look.
How to Get: Loot from veteran raiders at Dunwich Borers. I recommend clearing the quarry then returning every few in-game days for armor piece respawns until you have the full set.
Analysis: In my experience, a fully upgraded Heavy Leather set offers the best resistances outside of power armor in the early game. With DR nearly 70 and ER breaking 100, you truly feel indestructible exploring higher level zones.
I love the unique aesthetic – the extra armor plating and shoulder pads combined with rugged stitched leather make you look like a no-nonsense wasteland tank. It‘s perfect for high HP/END brawler builds who are on the frontlines crushing foes with heavy melee or shotguns.
To maximize its potential, upgrade using Armorer and supplement with defensive perks like Ironclad, Toughness and Lifegiver. You‘ll be an unstoppable juggernaut!
And so on for each armor set…
