We often see celebrities with Viking beard styles and wonder if we could ever pull them off. These beard styles have been iconicized by Jason Momoa’s beard in Aquaman, Travis Fimmel’s portrayal of Ragnar in Vikings, and even Tom Hardy’s rough full beard. They reveal an aura of strength, masculinity, and agelessness.
Many guys ask the straightforward question: “Which of these contemporary Viking beard styles can actually work for me?” In real life, not every face looks good in every style. While some require a lot of growth and patience, others emphasize sharp characteristics.
This is something I’ve observed both in real life and on film. While I experimented with lengthy Viking beard styles myself and discovered how difficult they can be, a friend of mine once had a Norse Viking beard that entirely changed the way he looked. These encounters taught me that style selection is just as important as beard growth.
In this guide, you’ll discover eight bold Viking beard styles. I’ll share who wore them, what makes them unique, and who they truly suit, so you can find the look that feels authentic to you.
What Is a Viking Beard Style?
The classic Viking beard is the root of all Norse-inspired looks. It is thick, rugged, and untamed, reflecting pure warrior spirit. Norsemen across Scandinavia wore it as a sign of strength and dominance. Oval and rectangular face shapes match it well, as the fullness sharpens the features. It suits men with dense beard growth who want a commanding presence.
Here, patchy beard growth won’t work. Because it emphasizes raw masculinity over polished styles, this style differs from contemporary beard styles. As I got older, I realized that others perceived me as rougher and stronger. The presence was unparalleled, yet managing it required patience.
The Ultimate Guide to 8 Modern Viking Beard Styles
Below are eight modern Viking beard styles that stand out today, each with its own story and unique impact.
1. Viking Long Beard Styles
The Viking long beard style adds even more flair to the look. When completely developed, it often reaches the lower chest. Viking chiefs often appear with strikingly long beards, such as Ragnar Lodbrok in sagas. It adds vertical length and better definition to faces that are triangular or rectangular.
This style is best suited for males who have the patience to deal with significant development and powerful genes. In contrast to the traditional Viking beard, this style is striking due to its sheer size. People once stopped to stare at a motorcyclist I saw, who had a beard that reached his chest. It was difficult to overlook the beard, which seemed like an integral part of who he was.
2. Norse Viking Beard Styles
The traditional warrior appearance of early Scandinavian civilization is reflected in the Norse Viking beard styles. The beard is completely natural, thick, and frequently lengthy. In their cultures, Norsemen wore this as a symbol of adulthood, strength, and control. Because the thickness accentuates features, oval and rectangular faces go together the best.
This look is appropriate for those who like a classic, combat-ready look. The Norse variation, in contrast to goatee Viking beard styles, covers the full face with rough solidity. I tried this look once, and it made me feel strong. I was perceived differently by others, who frequently described me as more menacing and serious.
3. Warrior Celtic Viking Beard Styles
Power and legacy are both carried by the warrior Celtic Viking beard. It has cultural weight because it combines Celtic iconography with Viking thickness. Tribes from Northern Europe used this beard to demonstrate their power and togetherness in combat. Faces that are square or oval gain the most from beards since they accentuate strong features.
Men who prefer heritage and daring grooming will find it appealing. In contrast to the traditional Viking beard, this one frequently displays symbolic or shaping cuts. At a medieval celebration, I once saw a man wearing this style. His beard, which was slightly carved on his cheeks, caught people’s attention since it appeared both ferocious and significant. He said nothing, but it seemed to be respected.
4. Viking Beard Braid Styles
A lengthy beard gains individuality with the Viking beard braid. The beard is divided into one or more braids to create it. In order to keep their hair under control during combat and for aesthetic purposes, Vikings braided their beards. Braids accentuate vertical length and look best on long, rectangular faces.
Men who like to stand out and have long, thick beards look good in this style. The braid transforms growth into a well-crafted statement, in contrast to the lengthy Viking beard. Jason Momoa’s beard braid for the Aquaman movie was the first time I saw this look on him. Unlike a regular long beard, the braid immediately gave him a wilder, warrior-like edge.
5. Nordic Viking Beard Styles
Though frequently more sophisticated, Nordic Viking beard styles are similar to the Norse appearance. For style, they mix heavy beards with a little braiding or shaping. In the past, Nordic chiefs and warriors wore them with pride and frequently embellished them with beard beads. They look best with long, rectangular faces because the style offers symmetry and proportion.
For men who desire a creative edge yet can grow a full beard, it works. The Nordic beard style feels more creative and meticulously crafted than the short Viking beard styles. It immediately caught my attention when I saw Jason Momoa in Aquaman sporting this look. The beard seemed wild yet magnificent thanks to the braids and pearls.
6. Full Viking Beard Styles
The pinnacle of beard development is represented by a full Viking beard. It completely covers the cheekbones, chin, and jawline, and is thick and heavy. It was the pinnacle of strength and maturity for the Vikings. Because it balances features, this style works well on round and oval faces.
It works well for males who can grow a beard without having spaces between their jaw and cheeks. No braids or shaping are needed, unlike other Viking styles. It’s just a beard wall that needs to be respected. In the winter, I once saw a buddy wearing this style. Strangers frequently thought he was older and more powerful than he actually was because of his dominating appearance and long beard.
7. Goatee Viking Beard Styles
A more streamlined version of Norse grooming is the Viking goatee beard style. The cheeks are exposed as the beard concentrates on the chin and mustache. In the past, some Nordic fighters preferred lighter beards since they were more agile and required less maintenance. Men with oval or heart-shaped features look best in this style because it draws attention to the lips and chin.
Anyone who desires a Viking-inspired style but has uneven side growth can wear it. The goatee variant feels more polished and contemporary than full Viking beard styles. During the summer, I once saw this on a buddy, and it was a wonderful suit for his personality. Without overpowering his features, the lighter beard gave him a Viking edge.
8. Short Viking Beard Styles
Although they are shorter, Viking short beard styles maintain the Viking appearance. Even though the beard is cropped short, it is still rough and manly. This variant is preferred by many contemporary guys since it seems strong and useful. For ease under helmets, even Norse warriors in the past occasionally wore shorter beards. Because the cut length maintains feature balance, this style works well on round and oval faces.
For guys who struggle to maintain a thick beard and have spotty growth, it works wonderfully. The short Viking beard style is less striking and easier to keep than the lengthy ones. I once saw a coworker wearing this style, and it gave him a strong yet polished appearance. There was a hint of Viking bravado about his beard, yet it seemed contemporary.
Wrapping Up: Modern Viking Beard Styles
Discovering the Viking beard style that best suits your features and attitude is more important than trying to emulate famous people. Even though Ragnar Lodbrok may have established the benchmark for lengthy Viking beard styles and Jason Momoa may have inspired with braids, the true effect occurs when the style seems genuine to you.
While a Nordic Viking beard style is powerful and dominating, a short Viking beard style may offer sharpness. The appeal of modern Viking beards is that they each have a unique narrative to tell. Finding the version that is authentic to you is more important than mimicking others.
