I wouldn't say out of character! The books really did underutilize, or at least under-emphasize, the use of armor. (Possibly cause Jordan was a Vietnam Vet and I think armor then kinda sucked and possibly cause armor is sorta silly when you're fighting people who can call down lightning on your head). I think Perrin's character is calculating and deliberate enough that he would go "right. I cannot lead this battle or protect my friends if I am dead. I do not want to die. I will be in the middle of this fight where it is worst cause I am the biggest and baddest target here and Dain hates me and will target me. This armor is available and fits me. It will help me keep everyone I care about alive by serving as a distraction if nothing else. I will wear this armor." I just hate it cause the vibes are off y'know? Or hell maybe be doesn't wear armor and the scene was a weird dream sequence or something.

I would like to resurrect a dead thread and this seems like a place to do it! Perrin was wearing armor in the preview for next week's episode and I friggin' hated it! Having read the above thread my rationale for an armorless Perrin is as follows: He is big. He is fast. He is perceptive to a supernatural degree (thank you, wolves). He is smart (yes I know he continually says he is slow and methodical, but there is a reason he generally says this right before someone looks at him in horror and goes "how did you catch that?"). And he has a (not controlled) supernatural ability to pull the pattern of reality to help him or hinder others. And in the TV show he absolutely DOES go into a berserker rage. I assume he stole the armor from a whitecloak and they are going for a "becoming what you hate and fear" plotline, which makes sense for the character and was also sorta present in the books. But I still hate Perrin in armor.