Kern usually fought lacking metal armor including helmets, fighting with spears (gae) and a set of javelins or darts (gá-ín), a long dagger (scian), occasionally wielding axes (tua) and bow (bogha), protected by a round shield (sciath) and in the case of higher status and class warriors, swords (claideamh). The Viking invasions saw greater adoption of the shortbow and heavier armor in addition, but never in great numbers.
Kern usually engaged in combat without metal armor, including helmets, employing spears (gae), javelins or darts (gá-ín), a long dagger (scian), occasionally wielding axes (tua) and bow (bogha), protected by a round shield (sciath). Higher-ranking warriors also used swords (claideamh). The Viking invasions saw increased adoption of the shortbow and heavier armor, although not to a large extent.