Viking Helmet Guide for Beginners: Types, History & How to Choose
If you're new to Viking helmets, the options can feel overwhelming. Gjermundbu, Vendel, nasal helmet, chainmail aventail — where do you even start? This guide cuts through the noise and gives you a clear, honest introduction to Viking helmets: what they actually looked like historically, what the main types are, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
What Did Viking Helmets Actually Look Like?
Let's address the most common misconception immediately: Viking helmets did not have horns. This is one of the most persistent myths in popular history. The horned helmet image comes from 19th-century Romanticism and theatrical costume design — not from archaeology or historical sources.
The only well-preserved Viking Age helmet found to date is the Gjermundbu helmet, discovered in Norway in 1943 and dated to approximately the 10th century. It is a rounded iron cap with a spectacle guard protecting the eyes and nose — practical, unadorned, and nothing like the Hollywood version.
Other helmet types associated with the broader Viking Age and early medieval Scandinavia include spangenhelm construction (segmented iron plates riveted together) and nasal helmets (a simple iron cap with a vertical nose guard). Elaborate decorated helmets from the Vendel period (pre-Viking Age, roughly 550–790 AD) are also closely associated with Norse warrior culture and heavily influence modern Viking helmet design.
Main Types of Viking and Norse Helmets
1. Gjermundbu Helmet
The most archaeologically authentic Viking helmet type. A rounded iron cap with a riveted spectacle guard (protecting eyes and nose). Simple, functional, and historically grounded. If historical accuracy is your priority, this is your starting point.
2. Nasal Helmet
A simple iron or steel cap with a single vertical bar protecting the nose. Widely used across early medieval Europe, including by Norse warriors. Lighter and simpler than the Gjermundbu, and a practical choice for reenactment and cosplay.
3. Vendel Helmet
Pre-Viking Age helmets from the Vendel period (c. 550–790 AD) feature elaborate decorative panels, cheek guards, and neck protection. They are more ornate than Viking Age helmets and are associated with high-status warriors. Vendel-style helmets are popular for display and collector use.
4. Chainmail Helmet (with Aventail)
Many Viking and early medieval helmets were worn with a chainmail aventail — a curtain of interlocked iron rings protecting the neck, cheeks, and lower face. The chainmail was attached to the helmet's rim and could be lifted or lowered. This combination provided significantly more protection than the helmet alone.
5. Wolf and Dragon Helmets
Modern Viking-inspired helmets featuring wolf, dragon, or other Norse mythological motifs are popular for cosplay, LARP, and display. These are artistic interpretations rather than strict historical reconstructions, but they draw on genuine Norse iconography and are among the most visually striking options available.
What Were Viking Helmets Made From?
Historical Viking helmets were made from iron, typically constructed using one of two methods:
- Single-piece construction: The Gjermundbu helmet was formed from a single piece of iron, shaped over a form. This required significant skill and was likely expensive.
- Spangenhelm construction: Iron plates (spangens) riveted together over a framework. More common and accessible, this method was used across early medieval Europe.
Modern Viking helmets are typically made from 18-gauge steel, which provides a good balance of authenticity, durability, and weight. Our helmets use steel construction throughout, with chainmail aventails where included.
Did Vikings Wear Chainmail?
Yes — chainmail (brynja in Old Norse) was used by Viking warriors, though it was expensive and therefore associated with wealthier warriors and jarls rather than common fighters. A full chainmail hauberk (shirt) required thousands of individually linked iron rings and represented significant investment.
Chainmail aventails attached to helmets were more common than full hauberks and provided meaningful protection for the neck and lower face in combat.
How to Choose a Viking Helmet: Beginner's Guide
For Cosplay
Prioritise appearance and comfort. A nasal helmet or Vendel-style helmet with chainmail gives you a strong Norse warrior look without excessive weight. The Viking Chainmail Wolf Helmet and Norse Nasal Helmet are popular cosplay choices.
For LARP
Check your event's equipment requirements before purchasing. Steel helmets are permitted at many LARP events but rules vary. Contact your event organiser with the helmet's specifications to confirm suitability.
For Historical Reenactment
The Gjermundbu Viking Helmet is the most archaeologically grounded option. Verify construction requirements with your reenactment group before purchasing.
For Display
Any helmet in our range works well as a display piece. Vendel-style helmets with etched panels and chainmail make particularly impressive display pieces. Our Vendel Viking Helmet comes with a wooden display stand.
For a Gift
The Viking Helmet with Dragon is a standout gift for Viking enthusiasts — hand-forged with dragon detailing and suitable for display, cosplay, and reenactment.
Viking Helmet Buying Checklist
- ☑ Decide your intended use (cosplay, LARP, reenactment, display, gift)
- ☑ Choose your helmet type (Gjermundbu, nasal, Vendel, wolf/dragon)
- ☑ Check the steel gauge (18-gauge is standard for quality replicas)
- ☑ Decide whether you want a chainmail aventail included
- ☑ Check head circumference against the listed size
- ☑ Check weight — important for extended wear
- ☑ If for LARP or reenactment — verify event equipment requirements first
- ☑ Check whether a display stand is included or available separately
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Vikings really wear horned helmets?
No. There is no archaeological evidence of horned helmets being used by Viking warriors in battle. The horned helmet image originates from 19th-century Romantic art and theatrical costume design. The only well-preserved Viking Age helmet — the Gjermundbu helmet — is a plain rounded iron cap with a spectacle guard.
What is the most historically accurate Viking helmet?
The Gjermundbu helmet is the most archaeologically documented Viking Age helmet. Our Gjermundbu Viking Helmet is based directly on this find.
What steel gauge should a Viking helmet be?
18-gauge steel is the standard for quality replica helmets — thick enough to be durable and feel substantial, without being excessively heavy. Our helmets are constructed from 18-gauge steel.
What is a chainmail aventail?
An aventail is a curtain of chainmail attached to the rim of a helmet, protecting the neck, cheeks, and lower face. It was used by Viking and early medieval warriors to extend the helmet's protection without adding a full face guard.
Are Viking helmets good for LARP?
Steel Viking helmets are permitted at many LARP events, but rules vary significantly between events and rulesets. Always check your event's equipment requirements before purchasing and contact your organiser with the helmet's specifications.
How do I measure my head for a Viking helmet?
Measure the circumference of your head approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) above your eyebrows — this is typically the widest point. Compare this measurement to the size guide on the product listing. If you're between sizes, size up for comfort.
Explore Our Viking Helmet Collection
Also read:
→ Viking Shield: Types, Designs and Historical Uses
→ How to Choose a Viking Shield: Complete Buying Guide