The fact is that, especially any type of heavy armor, people only wore it when going into battle, and usually only on horseback, because basically you were immobile once equipped. In fact, it isn't only sneaking, nor is it only crouching, etc. I've commented previously (long ago) about the silliness of sneaking in heavy armor, but that's actually true for any armor. I don't really mind the glass and elven much compared to the other armors, but I only wear armor to train, never for actual use. Well, I'd say all the armor is pretty ugly as far as aesthetics, but so are the (default) characters.
