Though real Vikings may have lived over a thousand years ago, the typical Viking hair and Viking beard are unlikely to fade away even now.
Epic long braid styles, killer undercut Viking hairstyles, masculine half-up ponytail and man bun hair-dos come to mind when we try to imagine those legendary Viking warriors.
And although the camera was invented much later, and we can only guess from the paintings, carvings, and stories what were the real Viking styles, what we know for sure is that Viking hairstyles were insanely fierce, stylish, and authentic.
That’s the reason Viking hair popularity lasts till our days: modern guys value the uniqueness of the hairstyle over anything else.
So, why not dive into the world of the most popular Viking hairstyles meant to inspire your next killing look?
What Is a Viking Hairstyle?
@dredy.ba
Despite Vikings are said to be rather filthy and unkempt, there is a lot of evidence they still had various tools for proper grooming: both for their head and face. Mostly, Viking hairstyles are a combination of a coarse beard, an extreme undercut (shaved sides), and maximum length at the top (which is styled in different styles like a man bun, a braid, a ponytail, or just worn loose).
We doubt Vikings used to wear dreadlocks or braid the cornrows, but it’s not a crime to add a modern twist to the hairstyle, that has always been believed to be unique, personalized, and soaked with freedom.
How to Wear Viking Hairstyles Today
@gabibv70
Modern Vikings are not limited by grooming tools and hair products. Today’s Viking hairstyles are often spiced up with color highlights, knotless braids, dreadlocks, cornrows, faded sides, shaved-in design on the sides, extreme hard parts, and unique hair accessories.
All Viking haircuts have adopted some present-day trends and features. You can even find a Viking buzz cut in combination with a rugged beard in a modern interpretation. So, obviously, you can make your own rules of the Viking styles game.
How to Style It
@east_frisian_viking
How do you do a Viking hairstyle? It depends on what your hair length is and what is your type of a Viking cut. But, mostly, you can choose from:
Various upstyles that include a half-up ponytail, a full ponytail, a top knot, a man bun.
Braided hair and beard (try Dutch braids, a French braid, knotless braids, cornrows, a single braid, or multiple tiny braids tied together, and definitely try a Viking beard braid at least once in a lifetime).
Undercut Viking styles with shaved hair on the sides can be styled with a low, medium, high fade, or just an extreme buzz cut without any gradation.
If you’re looking for a more authentic style, keep the long tresses messy and textured.
Coolest Viking Hairstyles to Rock
@barby_hairstyles
Both for traditional and modern Viking haircuts, you’ll need some hair length, and a little bit of creativity. And, of course, some visual inspiration as well! So, check out Norse and Scandinavian Viking hairstyles for men in the gallery below:
Loose Viking Braids
@hair_mdfction
Long hair allows for multiple awesome Viking looks. So, if you’ve achieved a good length on the top, you can’t but try an incredible warrior style with numerous loose Viking braids.
Messy Half-Pony
@ervikhilde
The Viking mohawk can become a piece of art – just add some thought to it. To get such a messy half-pony, you don’t even necessarily need to shave the sides: the cornrows on the sides will save this long mohawk.
Slick Back Viking Hairstyle
@crafterelena
Rocking a slicked back Viking hairstyle doesn’t require applying hair gel as you can get the dreadlocks or tiny braids and fix them back.
Viking Man Bun
@compadremeestremezco
This masculine red man bun is made in a half-pony awesome Viking hairstyle. Extremely long wavy copper hair, a full messy half-bun, a thick beard, and a couple of pierced details make a killing look together.
Undercut With Long Bangs
@barby_hairstyles
If you’re looking for a mixture of Viking and hipster styles, here you are: a Viking undercut pairs with messy hipster bangs. The best part is you don’t have to wait too long until your hair grows.
Big And Small Braids Combo
@claydebaumann
Long hair gives you lots of freedom. A Viking braid can have so many twists and turns. This Viking look is made by combining big and small Viking braids, moving from the forehead back to the vertex, neck, and falling down the shoulders.
Short Sides With Thin Tail
@pilotviking
Don’t know where to start with your first Viking hairstyle? Stay safe with shaved styles. Also, a full beard, a long thick braid, and shaved side are a win-win combo for men.
Blonde Nordic Viking Haircut
@thebraidedmama
Blonde hair color makes the whole hairstyle look completely different. Mix the braiding techniques, straight hair, and tie it all together in a trendy bubble ponytail.
Thor Inspired Hairstyle
@rockyz3us
Here is one of the variants of how a Thor-inspired slick back can look in a modern interpretation. With this white lace and those tiny braids on the side, this long half-up looks especially unique.
Beard with Undercut
@viking.sorlandet
As we’ve already mentioned many times, a rugged beard is a must! And if you compliment your full braid with a mustache, your Viking hair and beard will move to the edge with a killing hipster look.
Bald Viking Hair
@charlottehairandbeauty21
A bald Viking head can be compensated with facial hair. As for the top section of the hair, you’ve just started to grow, try such an alternative of the cornrow style to keep your extremely short hair in place and add a Viking vibe as well.
Hipster Man Bun
@crafterelena
Did real Vikings wear dreadlocks? Who cares, if you can create such a killing hipster man bun stylization on a classic Viking top knot.
Long Ponytail with Shaved Sides
@mirko_in_action
Mix a couple of signature styles together: a half-pony plus an undercut equals a powerful partnership, projecting serious warrior vibes. Wanna be noticed? Wrap the ponytail with a solid leather lace.
Warrior Ponytail with Shaved Sides and Beard Braid
@omidshirali
A warrior ponytail with braided beard styles from your favourite movie. Wanna look unique? Learn how to implement authentic details like twists and a beard braid into your image.
Classic Short Viking Hair
@barbarian.beard
While short classic hairstyles weren’t so typical for Vikings, braided beard styles always were an awesome idea. Double braids are one of the best ways to accessorize a modern Viking haircut.
Jasper Paakkonen Side Swept
Sometimes, to look epic, you need just cut an undercut and sweep all the top hair to the side with a hair gel and a comb.
Scandinavian Crop
@crafterelena
Being on the edge of the Vikings’ heritage, modern vibes, and rock culture, this spiky short Viking cut interpretation is worth your proper attention.
Faux Hawk with Undercut
@compadremeestremezco
One of the benefits of a long mohawk and faux hawk is that the longer your hair gets, the more styling options you get.
Blond Dreadlock Weave
@loxbytayler
It’s not necessary to wear dreadlocks loose – you can tie them, twist them, and even braid them into killing French braid-inspired style with massive beads.
Mohawk Twists
@crafterelena
Probably, Vikings and punks have a lot in common. At least, a long mohawk like this would definitely work for both parties.
Braided Topknot
@youngragnar__
A long ponytail with clean-shaven sides and braided braids is also known as the Bjorn Ironside haircut from the Vikings hit TV show. It looks awesome and sleek.
Loose Updo
@artistikethnies
You can also braid the dreadlocks and do it not too tough, in a relaxed manner, so that this long mohawk has lots of volume. Also, you can experiment with shaved-in design – you’ve got plenty of space for this at the sides.
Viking Inspired Khal Drogo
We all love those iconic images from iconic TV shows and movies. Khal Drogo’s feature long ponytail is also a variation of Viking hairstyles for men – so, feel free to try this one out.
French Braid and Tail
@rainer_sinus
Such a braided part can work nicely for a modern man with a pompadour fade, comb over, or a medium-length undercut.
Quick Dutch Braid
@sierradawnnnn
Since braids are commonly associated with Vikings, you can try a Dutch braid for your rather short hair when you’re still growing it. You might need a styling product as well since shorter hair tends to be rather unruly in braided styles.
Viking Half-up with Braids
@roblivious
Long beard styles along with long, lustrous hair can sometimes look too predictable and boring. To make sure it doesn’t, insert 2-3 tiny braids into your half-up.
Front Spikes with Faded Undercuts
@aalimhakim
In addition to being easy to style, a short spiky cut with an undercut and a faded beard offers a ton of contrast. Easy to cut, easy to maintain, but still so hot – such beard styles are meant a modern Viking.
Bald Viking with Long Beard
@j_ink3d
The bald clean-shaven head and a beard are a timeless Vikings look, and it doesn’t matter real Vikings hardly ever shave their heads. A bald head and a full, long beard always make a killing couple.
Crew Cut In a Viking Style
@dragosleca
Actually, you can adjust your favorite present-day hairstyle to the Viking style by combining the right elements. Here, you can see the great proof: a crew cut from the 90s looks incredibly Viking-ish and masculine.
A Viking Samurai Bun
@davidvifa
A man bun is a great, comfortable, and versatile style that is modern but also offers a killer Viking vibe, if paired with an impressive coarse beard.
Silver Short Faux Hawk
@nicharles_card
Oh, those silver foxes, the perfect blend of elegance and unruly wild spirit. Such full beard styles are ideal for those fond of walking at the edge.
Low Fade
@_raulvsc
A low fade is a small detail from today, that will make any Viking hairstyle neater and cleaner.
Top Knot + Undercut
@wilsonlimabeard
Don’t worry if your hair doesn’t feel like growing fast – a tiny top knot with faded sides and a full beard will make a nice transition haircut for a modern Viking.
Temple Shave
@hepcatbarber
Long, thick, black hair on the top “mohawk” area, and extreme shaved sides. As a result, you get an eye-catching and attitude-filled look that’s perfect for tough gents.
Side Swept Red Hair
@glitterbudgies
Loose, long red hair itself can create a seriously stylish look, but to make it a tougher and more rugged Viking style, try partnering it with a red beard.
Buzz Head And Full Beard
@rafaxhair
Not all modern Viking hairstyles require a long mane – a neat simple buzz cut can also work magic. Especially if stylize your look with catchy accessories.
Shaved Side Viking Haircut
@vickyshair_iow
To take the Viking style into the future, try refreshing the shaved sides with a braided part. This is an edgy warrior appearance that works exceptionally well with an undercut and allows for multiple styling options on top.
Messy Long Hair with Fade and Thick Beard
@realbeardgod
The messy finish on Viking haircut styles is so common. But it will never look too much if you keep the sides clean. This rugged style will work for you whether you’re looking for Viking hairstyles for short or long hair.
Disconnected Fishtail Braid
The variety of Viking braids offers multiple stylish ways to create a unique look. Even switching the braiding pattern to the fishtail braid can make all the difference.
Buzz Cut with a Hair Tattoo
@wilsonlimabeard
Not all Viking hairstyles require a shaved head and long hair today, but why not stick to classics and replicate an exact Viking look those ancient warriors had. A long beard style and braided long hair will revive Viking history.
Viking Cornrows
@salon_eunoia
For medium length hair, for guys who keep their hair short, and also for those wearing hair long, classic cornrows with a low messy knot and a full beard will become a cool alternative to a single loose braid Viking look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Viking haircut called?
A traditional Viking haircut features long and thick hair on the top of the head with shaved sides. Usually, it’s accompanied by a full thick beard, which gives your appearance a mighty and virile look, waking up your inner warrior.
How did Vikings wear their hair?
Although, there’re no photos that confirm an exact hairstyle Vikings wore, still there are some ancient texts and Norman recollections, which describe the styles that resemble a reverse mullet, a partially shaven head, and a well-groomed thick beard. As for the short hair, such styles are believed to be worn by slaves only, however, shorter hair Viking hairstyles exist in a modern interpretation too.
Why did Vikings not cut their hair?
According to the historical data, long hair meant a form of class separation from the slaves, who are believed to have a shaved head or short-cropped hair. Thus, the longer hair and beard Viking wore, the more respect he got.
How do you do a Viking hairstyle?
Let your short hair grow (which can actually be a tough job), keep it messy and textured, let your full braid grow too, experiment with braids, knots, and hair accessories throughout the length.
Did Vikings have mohawks?
There’s no evidence to say that such thing as a Vikings mohawk style really existed. But a Viking mohawk does exist today. It was born by the creators of TV shows about Vikings as one of the interpretations of a cool Viking hairstyle.
Did the Vikings braid their hair?
Some Vikings did wear braids, but it wasn’t one of the popular hairstyles for most Vikings. Looking at the statues and texts coming from the Viking era, we can conclude that all those styles like a braided ponytail, two braids, a French braid, and a Dutch braid were imposed to the Viking image by the creators of present-day Viking movies.
How do you do Viking hair twists?
Since the hair twists like Ivar the Boneless wore were also created by the movie’s stylists, this update on cool Viking hairstyles is not so easy to achieve. To do Viking hair twists, check out this step-by-step video guide.
Did Vikings have dreads?
Since going off what the written sources say we can only be sure of the color and length of Vikings’ hair, all the rest (including the dreadlocks, is due to speculation.
However, many researchers believe that Vikings wore dreadlocks along with other ancient people groups like Celts, Indians, and Gauls.
But, probably, if dreadlocks had been so common, the written sources probably would have mentioned that fact too.
Inspired by legendary Nordic warriors, the Viking hairstyles are cool, rugged, and edgy. They go in line with most of the modern styles, including braids, ponytails, shaved back and sides, a mohawk, an undercut, and an epic Viking beard, of course.
If you’re looking for a sexy hairstyle that combines the masculine features of your inner warrior with the tradition, this guide on cool Viking hairstyles must have come in handy for you.