Given that Vikings on a raid tried to avoid pitched battles, it's possible that mail was primarily worn only by the professional warriors going into battle, such as the Great Heathen Army of the mid-9th century in England or at Harald Hardrada's invasion of Northumbria at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066.
Såfremt vikingerne på der togter forsøgte at undgå regulære slag, er det muligt at ringbrynje kun blev brugt af professionelle krigere, når de gik i kamp, såsom den store hedenske hær i midten af 800-tallet i England, eller Harald Hårderådes invasion af Northumbria under Slaget ved Stamford Bridge i 1066.