Viking hairstyles have earned a permanent place in men’s grooming, and it is not just because of a few popular shows. These looks carry weight. Long hair, tight braids, shaved sides, and rugged textures all point to something that feels earned rather than trendy. A Viking hairstyle says you are not afraid to stand out, and it works whether you are growing your hair for the first time or already have length to work with.
The problem is most men either go too far into costume territory or play it too safe and end up with a generic long haircut that has nothing Viking about it. The real Viking look sits in the details. Braid placement, shaved sections, texture, and how the hair moves all matter.
This guide covers 17 men’s Viking hairstyles that hit that mark exactly. Every style is wearable in real life, achievable at a real barbershop, and true to the rugged, warrior-inspired aesthetic that makes this trend so strong. Full breakdown on how to get each one.
17 Men’s Viking Hairstyles at a Glance
1. Long Viking Hair with Braids
This is the style most people picture the moment they hear the word Viking. Full length hair left to grow past the shoulders, with two or three braids running through it and the rest loose and natural. If you want to build toward this look, our guide to flowy haircuts for men covers every length stage on the way there.
Grow hair out to at least shoulder length before attempting the braids. Section off small pieces near the front hairline and braid tightly, securing each with a small elastic. Leave the rest of the hair loose and natural. A light matte pomade through the lengths keeps flyaways down without looking greasy.
How to Get It:
- Length: Shoulder length or longer, grown out evenly
- Technique: Two to three thin braids at the temples, rest left loose
- Product: Light matte pomade or sea salt spray
- Maintenance: Trim ends every 10 to 12 weeks to avoid split ends
Best For: Men committed to long-term growth Face Shape: Oval, square
2. Shaved Sides with Top Knot
The shaved sides with top knot combines the discipline of a modern fade with the wild energy of a Viking warrior. It is one of the most requested Viking styles because it works in modern professional settings during the week and reads full Viking at a festival or event. The shaved sides detail is shared with a lot of modern mullet haircuts for men that are worth looking at alongside this style.
Sides and back are shaved down to a skin fade or short buzz. The remaining top length is gathered and tied into a tight knot at the crown. Ask your barber for a high skin fade that tapers cleanly into the length on top. This is a strong option if you want the Viking look without waiting years to grow it.
How to Get It:
- Length: Top left long, sides and back shaved short
- Technique: Skin fade on sides, top gathered into a top knot
- Product: Strong hold gel or wax to secure the knot
- Maintenance: Fade touch-up every 3 to 4 weeks
Best For: Men who want a bold, modern Viking look Face Shape: Round, oval
3. Messy Textured Viking Hair
Not every Viking style needs braids or shaved sections. The messy textured version relies entirely on natural movement and rough, undone styling. It reads as effortless and rugged, the kind of hair that looks like it survived a storm and came out better for it.
Medium length hair, cut with texturizing shears to remove bulk and add movement. Style with a sea salt spray and let it air dry, scrunching slightly while damp for natural wave and texture. If your hair is naturally straight and you want more of this wave and movement without relying entirely on product, our guide to men’s perm haircuts has options worth exploring.
How to Get It:
- Length: Medium, roughly ear to jaw length
- Technique: Texturizing cut with heavy layering, air-dried and scrunched
- Product: Sea salt spray or texturizing paste
- Maintenance: Trim every 8 weeks to keep the texture fresh
Best For: Low-effort mornings Face Shape: Any face shape
4. Viking Undercut with Braids
The undercut with braids takes the classic long-hair Viking look and sharpens it with a hard shaved line underneath. It gives you the best of both worlds, rugged length on top with a defined, intentional edge underneath.
Sides and back are cut with a disconnected undercut, shorter than a fade but not shaved to skin. Top length stays long enough for two to three braids running back from the hairline. The contrast between the undercut and the braided length is what makes this style stand out.
How to Get It:
- Length: Long on top, short disconnected undercut on sides
- Technique: Two to three braids running from front hairline to back
- Product: Matte clay for the undercut, light pomade for the braids
- Maintenance: Undercut trim every 4 to 6 weeks
Best For: Men who want visible contrast and structure Face Shape: Oval, oblong
5. Long Hair with Half Braids
The half braid style keeps hair out of your face while still showing off full length. It is one of the more practical Viking looks, since it solves the everyday annoyance of long hair falling forward without cutting any of it off.
Take the top section of hair from ear to ear and braid it back, securing at the crown or letting it flow into the rest of the length. The remaining hair stays completely loose. This works well whether your hair is straight or has natural wave.
How to Get It:
- Length: Shoulder length or longer
- Technique: Single half braid from the crown, rest left down
- Product: Light hold cream to control frizz
- Maintenance: Regular trims to keep ends healthy
Best For: Everyday wear and practicality Face Shape: Oval, heart
6. Braided Top Knot
This style takes the standard top knot and adds a braid running into it, giving extra texture and a distinctly Viking edge over a plain bun. It is sharp enough for a modern setting but still carries the warrior aesthetic.
Gather all top-length hair and create a single braid from the front hairline to the crown before twisting the remaining length into a knot. The braid line running into the knot is what separates this from an ordinary man bun.
How to Get It:
- Length: Medium to long on top
- Technique: Single braid leading into a twisted top knot
- Product: Strong hold wax or gel
- Maintenance: Restyle daily, trim every 8 to 10 weeks
Best For: Gym days and active lifestyles Face Shape: Round, square
7. Side Braids with Fade
Side braids with a fade bring a cleaner, more tailored take on the Viking trend. Instead of a fully shaved undercut, a gradual fade blends into braided sections, creating a look that reads as more refined without losing any of the ruggedness.
Ask for a mid or high fade on the sides. Leave a strip of longer hair running from the front hairline back, and braid it in one or two thin lines. The fade underneath gives clean structure while the braids add the Viking character on top.
How to Get It:
- Length: Medium on top, faded sides
- Technique: One or two thin braids over a mid fade
- Product: Light pomade for the braid, matte paste for the fade
- Maintenance: Fade refresh every 3 weeks
Best For: Office-friendly Viking styling
Face Shape: Oval, square
8. Long Flowing Hair with Undercut
For men who want the length of classic Viking hair without any braiding at all, the long flowing hair with undercut delivers pure volume and movement. It leans more into the warrior silhouette than any specific technique.
Grow hair long and let it flow naturally without parting. Underneath, a low undercut keeps bulk manageable and adds shape when the hair is tied back. Blow dry with a round brush occasionally for extra volume, otherwise let it air dry for a more natural finish.
How to Get It:
- Length: Long, past shoulders
- Technique: Low undercut underneath, full natural length on top
- Product: Volumizing spray or light sea salt spray
- Maintenance: Trim ends every 10 weeks
Best For: Maximum length and movement
Face Shape: Oval, long
9. Viking Mohawk
The Viking mohawk is the most aggressive style on this list and it is built for men who want to make a statement. It borrows the shaved-sides structure of a classic mohawk but keeps the top rougher and less polished than a standard punk cut.
Shave both sides down to skin or a very short buzz. Leave a wide central strip of hair, longer than a typical mohawk, and style it upward and slightly messy rather than sharply spiked. Some men add a single thin braid running through the center strip for extra detail.
How to Get It:
- Length: Shaved sides, wide long strip on top
- Technique: Center strip styled upward with texture, optional single braid
- Product: Strong hold matte paste
- Maintenance: Side shave touch-up every 2 to 3 weeks
Best For: Men who want maximum visual impact
Face Shape: Oval, square
10. Messy Half-Up Half-Down
The half-up half-down style gathers the top section into a small tie while leaving the rest down, creating natural volume at the crown and controlled length everywhere else. It is one of the more relaxed Viking looks, easy to do in under a minute.
Grab the top section from temple to temple and tie it loosely at the back of the head. Let the tie sit slightly messy rather than pulled tight. The rest of the hair stays loose and untouched. Works especially well with naturally wavy or textured hair.
How to Get It:
- Length: Medium to long
- Technique: Top section tied loosely, rest left down
- Product: Texturizing spray for added grip
- Maintenance: Minimal, restyle takes under a minute
Best For: Fast daily styling
Face Shape: Any face shape
11. Viking Braided Ponytail
The braided ponytail takes all of your length and channels it into one clean, purposeful braid running down the back. It is the most practical Viking style for daily life because it keeps the hair completely out of your face while still reading as a deliberate Viking aesthetic. This style pairs especially well with a full long beard for the full Viking silhouette.
Gather all hair into a low ponytail and braid the full length in a simple three-strand braid. For a stronger Viking feel, braid a few thinner sections near the front hairline first before pulling everything into the main braid.
How to Get It:
- Length: Long, ideally past shoulders
- Technique: Full three-strand braid from a low ponytail
- Product: Light hold cream to smooth flyaways
- Maintenance: Rebraid daily, trim every 10 to 12 weeks
Best For: Keeping long hair fully controlled
Face Shape: Oval, square
12. High Top Viking Undercut
The high top undercut adds noticeable height and volume on top while keeping the sides tight and short. It has a more modern, structured feel compared to the traditional flowing Viking looks, while still carrying the same rugged attitude.
Sides are cut into a high undercut or fade, and the top is left long enough to style upward and back with volume. Texture the top with a matte product and push the hair back and slightly to the side rather than styling it flat.
How to Get It:
- Length: Tall volume on top, short sides
- Technique: High undercut with textured, pushed-back top
- Product: Matte clay or fiber paste
- Maintenance: Sides trimmed every 3 to 4 weeks
Best For: Men wanting height and structure
Face Shape: Round, oval
13. Viking Top Knot with Fade
This version pairs a classic top knot with a modern fade instead of an undercut, giving a slightly softer transition between the shaved sides and the length on top. It is one of the more versatile Viking looks, fitting equally well in casual and semi-formal settings.
Ask your barber for a mid fade, blended smoothly into the top length. Gather the top section into a tight knot at the crown. The gradual fade keeps this look from feeling too harsh, making it easier to wear day to day.
How to Get It:
- Length: Long top, mid fade sides
- Technique: Standard top knot over a blended fade
- Product: Strong hold gel for the knot
- Maintenance: Fade refresh every 3 weeks
Best For: Versatile everyday styling
Face Shape: Oval, square
14. Long Viking Hair with Shaved Temples
Shaving just the temples while leaving the rest of the hair fully long creates a distinctive silhouette that reads as unmistakably Viking. It is a smaller commitment than a full undercut but still adds a sharp, intentional detail.
Keep the majority of the hair long and untouched, but shave a small section at each temple down to skin or a very short buzz. The rest of the length can be worn down, tied back, or braided depending on the day.
How to Get It:
- Length: Long overall, shaved temple sections
- Technique: Small skin-shaved sections at each temple only
- Product: Sea salt spray for the long length
- Maintenance: Temple touch-up every 2 to 3 weeks
Best For: A subtle but distinct Viking detail
Face Shape: Oval, heart
15. Side-Swept Viking Braids
Side-swept braids pull the hair away from the face in one direction, creating an asymmetrical look that feels both practical and striking. It works particularly well for men who want braids without a fully symmetrical, structured pattern.
Section the top and front hair and braid it diagonally across the head toward one side, blending into the rest of the length. This can be paired with an undercut, a fade, or simply left over natural long hair.
How to Get It:
- Length: Medium to long
- Technique: Diagonal braid sweeping across the front hairline
- Product: Light pomade to keep the braid smooth
- Maintenance: Rebraid every few days as needed
Best For: An asymmetrical, less rigid Viking look
Face Shape: Oval, square
16. Viking Fade with Top Texture
For men who want Viking energy without committing to long hair at all, the Viking fade with top texture delivers a shorter, lower-maintenance version of the aesthetic. The fade keeps everything clean and modern while the textured top carries enough character to read as intentional. It is similar in structure to a lot of the best short mullet haircuts for men, just with Viking-influenced texture on top.
Cut a clean fade on the sides and back, and leave enough length on top to add texture with a matte product. Style it messy and slightly upward rather than flat or combed. This is the most modern and low-maintenance Viking-inspired style on the list.
How to Get It:
- Length: Short to medium on top, faded sides
- Technique: Fade with matte textured top styling
- Product: Matte clay or texture powder
- Maintenance: Fade touch-up every 2 to 3 weeks
Best For: Short hair with Viking attitude Face Shape: Any face shape
17. Messy Viking Layers
Messy layers give the Viking look a softer, more natural finish. Instead of sharp lines or tight braids, this style relies on uneven layering and natural movement to create a lived-in, powerful look. The result has a lot in common with the current wave of soft mullet haircuts for men that prioritise flow and texture over structured edges.
Cut medium to long hair with heavy layers throughout to remove weight and add natural movement. Style with a texturizing spray and avoid any parting or symmetry. Air dry for the most natural finish, or rough dry with your fingers for extra volume.
How to Get It:
- Length: Medium to long, heavily layered
- Technique: Uneven layers styled loose and undone
- Product: Texturizing spray or light sea salt spray
- Maintenance: Trim every 8 weeks to maintain the layers
Best For: A natural, rugged everyday look
Face Shape: Oval, round
3 Rules Every Man Should Know Before Growing Out a Viking Hairstyle
Growth takes patience, not shortcuts. Most Viking hairstyles depend on real length, and there is no way to rush that process. The awkward in-between stage is unavoidable, but regular trims and the right styling products make it far more manageable while you wait it out.
Shaved sections need regular upkeep. Any style with an undercut, fade, or shaved temple only looks sharp when it is maintained.
Texture matters more than exact technique. Viking hairstyles are meant to look rugged and lived-in, not salon-perfect. Do not over-style or over-smooth these looks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most classic Viking hairstyles with braids or a top knot require hair at least shoulder length. However, shorter styles like the Viking fade with top texture or a shaved undercut can be achieved with medium length hair, so a full Viking look is possible even before you reach maximum length.
No. Shaved sides and undercuts are common in Viking hairstyles but not required. Styles like messy textured Viking hair, long hair with half braids, or messy Viking layers use full natural length with no shaved sections at all and still carry a strong Viking aesthetic.
Most Viking braid styles need to be redone every few days, since natural movement and washing loosen the braid over time. Thin decorative braids near the temples tend to hold slightly longer than full-length braids running through a ponytail.
Sea salt spray and light pomades work well for natural, textured length. Matte clay or paste is better suited for undercuts, fades, and top knots that need a stronger hold. Avoid heavy shine products, since Viking hairstyles are meant to look rugged and matte rather than glossy.
Some are. Cleaner styles like the Viking top knot with fade or side braids with fade look tailored enough for most professional settings. More elaborate styles like the Viking mohawk or a full undercut with visible braids lean more casual and may not suit every workplace.
Style Worth Pinning. Every Single Time.
Follow StyleObsidian for daily style inspiration.
