I usually do not make bronze or iron armor. In the early game, metal is more useful for making good weapons and shields/bucklers. I used silver to make wolf armor for fighting Moder in the mountains but primarily for the cold resistance as opposed to physical protection.

One's best protection in Valheim lies in avoiding being struck not in withstanding blows. If an enemy does not hit a viking he cannot kill a viking. Of course, a viking will have to slug it out sometimes. When I am in that kind of situation I will slug away but my primary purpose is to create an opening for escape.