Yep, before you get at least 4 athletics, don't wear chain or plate if you are a footsoldier.
Hardened leather jerkin is the best light armor around.
Reinforced black is hard to find and costs a hefty 56k. You better have tons of cash to afford that.
I found reinforced about 1 week into the game. Pity it wasn't even near Zendar. Otherwise I woulda went through 300 bouts to get it.
As it was, no easy money opportunities nearby and it disappeared before I can get anywhere near enough to buy it.