
Regarding the weight issue:
I would imagine most full-plate armors are actually lighter than their chain/scale counterparts. The actual plates of full-plate are millimeters thick in some cases. Where as the rings of chain are 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick iron.
Having made my own chain shirt of galvanized iron at one point, I can testify that a vest from neck to waist, with shoulders (not sleeves) weight 40 lbs by itself.
I'd also like to point out an in-game observation. The Gallant Sultansworn armor in particular that a lot of people call full-plate is in fact only half-plate. It has boots, gauntlets, and shoulders of plate, but the hauberk is a mixture of chain and scale mails.
I would imagine most full-plate armors are actually lighter than their chain/scale counterparts. The actual plates of full-plate are millimeters thick in some cases. Where as the rings of chain are 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick iron.
Having made my own chain shirt of galvanized iron at one point, I can testify that a vest from neck to waist, with shoulders (not sleeves) weight 40 lbs by itself.
I'd also like to point out an in-game observation. The Gallant Sultansworn armor in particular that a lot of people call full-plate is in fact only half-plate. It has boots, gauntlets, and shoulders of plate, but the hauberk is a mixture of chain and scale mails.