Ring mail vs studded leather armor

[davegibsongreyhawkdm]

Is there a reason a PC would want to select ring mail instead of studded leather armor if both are readily available in the campaign setting, other than a zero level LMC OR MMC horseman cavalier or paladin without sufficient starting funds to afford scale mail {since the cavalier and paladin class prescription is that studded leather armor won't be used due to it is beneath them}.

Per PHB ring mail is more expensive, 30 gp vs 15 gp, yet ring mail provides the same armor class and has slightly more encumbrance weight, 25# vs 20#.

[foster1941]

No reason.

[Scott]

There have been a lot more NPCs wearing ring mail in my game than PCs.

[geneweigel]

In regards to potions of climbing, 1% (studded) and 2% (ring ) are added to chance of slipping.

Also from Polyhedron #24 (JULY 1985)

ADQ: Studded leather armor has the
same AC as ring mail; both are fairly
bulky" (DMG page 27) , and movement is
the same (9") with either one. Why, then,
is ring mail twice as expensive as studded
leather?
ADA: It's more expensive because it's
harder to make. Studded leather should also
be much harder to enchant , and have a
lower limit of enchantment, than all-metal
(i.e. ring) armor. In general, armor involving
combinations of materials (studded or
scale) is harder to enchant than armor of a
single material (leather, chain, or plate);
note that the underpadding and straps are
not considered in this "rule of thumb" .
Leather or ring mail could thus bear a
maximum of +5 enchantment, while studded
leather,· should have a maximum of +2
or +3 (DM 's option).

Here is a link to the diagram for DM Adventures Log (1980):

[rredmond]

My guess is that Saves would be different too. Studded should, essentially, Save as "Leather or book" and Ring as "Metal, hard". I think that's how I'd rule it.
--Ron--