If you are a die-hard Ragnar fan or love the rugged look for yourself, you must be interested in Viking hairstyles for men.

The Viking look is very fashionable and if you feel like jumping on the bandwagon, a Viking hairstyle is an excellent place to start. There’s much more to it than very long hair and a thick beard.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about Viking hairstyles for men.

What Is It

If you’ve never heard of them before, a Viking hairstyle is simply a hairstyle modeled after the look of the traditional style of Viking warriors.

Do not go by what you see on TV shows because modern Viking hairstyles are modeled after traditional ones but always have a modern touch. They come in all lengths and typically try to give off a rugged, masculine vibe.

22 Most Popular Viking Hairstyles

Long Hair With Braids

Long hair with braids is perhaps the most typical Viking hairstyle. Let your hair grow out and you can opt for either one or a few braids and leave the rest of your hair open or braid all your hair and collect them in a ponytail at the back.

Short Braid With Undercut

If you want a low-maintenance look, you can opt for a short braid with an undercut. You leave the hair on the top a little longer and style it in a braid. It will hang over the undercut, creating an exciting contrast.

You can also leave the hair open or slick it back if you don’t feel like putting it in a braid. The undercut will need some maintenance, so getting a pair of powerful hair clippers is recommended.

Viking Dreadlocks

Go for this look only if you are willing to spend some time and effort on your Viking hairstyle. You need to have long hair or you could get extensions if you are not willing to wait that long.

Dreadlocks need proper maintenance. Otherwise, they look very shabby, so make sure you research how to take care of them.

Short High Bald Fade

This look features a bald fade on the sides and back. The hair on top is short, almost like a buzz cut. This was one of the looks sported by Travis Fimmel when he played Ragnar Lothbrok, one of the most famous Viking characters.

If you do not have a lot of volume in your hair or don’t like to spend too much time taking care of your hair, this is the perfect look. You can also sport a nice beard to make it look more attractive.

This is one of the few Viking hairstyles for balding men.

Messy and Thick Wavy Hair

This might not be suitable for everyone as it depends on the texture of your hair, but messy and thick wavy hair is a prevalent Viking look.

You do need to spend some time taking care of your hair every day and styling it for different occasions, but this look certainly makes for a very bold statement. Keep a small beard or no beard to keep the attention on your luxurious mane.

Braids

Braids are a signature characteristic of Viking hairstyles. You need at least shoulder-length hair to be able to do a decent braid hairstyle.

There are many different ways to sport a braid. Viking braids are generally high on your head, but they can be short or long. You can do multiple braids or one single braid. Combining braids with a gradual or bald fade on the sides and back is also very common.

Medium Length Half Updo

This look is what Chris Hemsworth used to sport as Thor. It is an authentic Viking look, as Viking warriors often pulled half their hair back in an updo and kept the rest free.

Use a premium hair oil for men to keep your hair looking well-groomed and smooth. Otherwise, the hairstyle might end up looking frizzy or unkempt.

Bald Head With a Full Beard

If you are balding or find it too cumbersome to maintain your hair, you can go for a fully bald head with a full beard.

It is pretty easy to pull off—shave your entire head and let your beard grow out. Growing a Garibaldi beard is very common for this look. You will need to get the beard to a length of 7 or 8 inches and round out the bottom.

Short Undercut

A short undercut is a very snappy Viking look. You can pair it with a beard to make it look more rugged.

If you have been thinking of choosing a shaved sides haircut, this is the perfect Viking look. It is dapper and smart while retaining that warrior-like Viking look.

Bun With Shaved Sides

Man buns are a ubiquitous feature of Viking fashion, as warriors used to put their hair in buns to keep their hair out of their face while hunting or fighting.

Shaving the sides gives a lovely contrast to the long hair on top. You can put your hair in a sleek bun, slick it back or go for a side-swept look—the possibilities are endless!

Ponytail With Undercut

This is a look that works for both hipsters and Vikings. It is the perfect mix of modern and Viking. Get an undercut and let the rest of the hair grow out. Styling is effortless. Just throw the hair in a ponytail before you leave the house.

You should take good care of your hair to make sure the texture remains smooth and frizz-free. Brush or comb your hair regularly to keep it tangle-free.

Faux Hawk With a Beard

If you want to keep the focus on your magnificent beard, you can go for a short faux hawk. Trim the hair on the sides very close to the skin. You can also consider a close fade for this hairstyle.

The hair on top should be slightly longer. Style it with spikes or keep it short to avoid drawing too much attention. If you have authentic Viking facial hair, this is an excellent option.

Slick Back Mohawk

A well-groomed slicked-back hairstyle never fails to impress. You must already be familiar with a mohawk, shaved back and sides with long hair on top.

Instead of keeping the hair on top spiky , slick it back for a modern Viking look. If you have trouble keeping your hair in place, you can try using the world’s best hair wax. If you ever feel like you need a change, you can just as quickly braid the hair for a new look.

Loose Braids

Loose braids are a signature Viking look. You will need to have long hair for this look.

One way to do it is to take the top half of the hair and put it into a regular braid or a fishtail. Add a smaller braid on either side of the head to give more detail to the look.

You can also add loose braids at random. If you are bored of it just leaving your hair open, this is an excellent detail to switch your look now and then.

Faux Hawk With Undercut and Braids

A faux hawk with undercut and braids makes a powerful statement. You trim down the sides as you would for a faux hawk and add an undercut at the back for maximum contrast.

It can be cumbersome to style the long hair on top, but it is very quick and easy to use braids. It looks like a layered and complex hairstyle but is easy to style and maintain.

Chonmage Hairstyle

A chonmage is a traditional Japanese hairstyle. Styling it the right way gives the appearance of a Viking hairstyle. It is the exact look you must have seen Sumo wrestlers sport – a sleek ponytail doubled down to decrease its length.

You can also combine a chonmage with a fade on the sides or an undercut to give it a more modern touch or add more contrast.

Disconnected Undercut

A disconnected undercut is where the hair on top is cut off from the hair on the sides. The break is not gradual as is common—there is a very clear line that separates the sides from the top.

This isn’t precisely a Viking haircut, but it is often styled as a Viking haircut by putting the hair on top in a braid or by sporting the look with a very full and thick beard.

Slick Back Fade

If you don’t want to look too different but still wish to sport a Viking look, this is the perfect hairstyle. Get a fade on the sides and back and let the hair on top remain as is.

Slick it back using hair wax or a water-soluble pomade for men. It is simple, modern and rugged at the same time. It also complements a beard quite well.

Braid With Fade

Combining braids with a fade is a very common Viking look. The sides and back are kept extremely short in a fade or completely bald, while the top is long and styled in a braid.

This look is best paired with a thick and robust beard to balance the fade. If you’re having trouble growing out your hair, try an impressive Vaseline hair tonic.

Faded Undercut

A faded undercut is great for adding contrast to your hairstyle. You can style the hair on top in various styles and keep it long or short.

If you have long hair on top, styling it in a braid or fishtail is a powerful statement. Short hair also complements a faded undercut well. It is a great modern twist to braids or dreadlocks in Viking hairstyles.

Ragnar Hairstyle

Ragnar’s signature hairstyle was an undercut with a thick, long blond Viking braid. The sides and back are either bald or trimmed very close to the skin and the hair on top is in a very thick braid.

It might not be feasible for everyone to sport the same look, but you can easily do a toned-down or tamer version of it by getting a fade or undercut and keeping the hair on top long. It can be slicked back or put in a braid as per your preference.

Bjorn Hairstyle

Bjorn’s look has changed through the series, but his signature style is a mohawk with a single braid down the middle. It was paired with a messy or unkempt beard to add more character to the face. This hairstyle is certainly not for the weak-hearted.

Benefits of This Hairstyle

A Viking hairstyle can be very modern and neat if you style it the right way. We usually picture a long untamed mane and bushy beard when we think of Viking hairstyles, but modern Viking hairstyles are very presentable.

There are many different ways to style them, leaving you with many different looks.

Viking hairstyles give you a very distinct look. You can be sure that people will always look twice at you if you’re sporting a Viking hairstyle.

How to Choose the Best Style

Hair Type

A long-haired Viking style can look perfect if you have thick hair. The braided styles are trendy and are easy to maintain too.

It is better to go with a short Viking hairstyle for frizzy or balding hair. There are plenty of hairstyles with a fade that will suit you better.

Face Shape

Most Viking looks have a hefty beard, so you can sport a Viking hairstyle effortlessly no matter what kind of jawline you have.

Round and oval faces look good with long hairstyles, whereas a square face would be better suited to a short hairstyle.

How to Style 

If you have a long Viking hairstyle, braids are the best way to style it. You go for braids on top, braids tied in a ponytail at the back or open hair with a few braids. You could also go for Nordic cornrows.

If you are not a fan of braids or don’t want long hair, you should consider getting an undercut or a crew cut. The rest of the hair is slicked back or swept backward for a more natural look.

FAQ 

What is the Viking haircut called?

The most common Viking haircut is called an undercut. The hair on the sides is shaved and the hair on top is kept long. It makes for great contrast and the hair on top can be styled in many different ways.

Which Viking hairstyle is best for me?

The answer depends on the texture and length of your hair and the shape of your face. Most Viking hairstyles include braids, undercuts, fades or long hair and are usually paired with a beard.

Make sure that you are ready to deal with the upkeep of whatever Viking hairstyle you choose.

Why Did Vikings have long hair?

Vikings usually had long hair and beards because it was considered a sign of being a Viking warrior. The slaves usually had short hair and did not keep beards, while Vikings had long, well-groomed hair and thick beards.

Did the Vikings braid their hair?

Vikings did indeed braid their hair, as it would keep the hair contained and away from their faces. They always had long hair and braids helped keep them well-groomed. It was also essential to keep them away from their eyes during battle.

Did Vikings have man buns?

It might be hard to believe, as man buns are considered a hipster hairstyle, but Vikings sported them in the past. Vikings had long hair, and man buns were just one way to keep their hair contained and well-groomed.

What does it mean when a Viking cuts his hair?

There can be different reasons for a Viking cutting his hair. It can be a sign of mourning for a loved one or a practical reason, like preventing it from getting tangled up in armor or chainmail.

Vikings always kept their hair long to protect their skulls from extreme cold and it became a tradition among them. There was always a reason behind a Viking cutting his hair; it was never a random decision.

Conclusion

Vikings have always been incredibly fascinating. Movies and TV shows have made them massively popular and a lot of people show their love for Vikings by sporting Viking hairstyles.

Choose any hairstyles listed above for a rugged, authentic Viking look if you love the Viking style.

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