Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Helmet Hair

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Helmet Hair

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-17-14, 07:37 PM
  #1  
rekon
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
rekon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 495
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Helmet Hair

So, i've been commuting to work/school 60 miles a week consistently. Sweat is not much of an issue because my arrival commutes are downhill. However, I always get the imprints of my Giro Revel helmet. My hair is short 3" clip on top. How are you guys dealing with this? Not a big issue but curious on what everyone does...
rekon is offline  
Old 05-17-14, 07:43 PM
  #2  
JosephG
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: NJ
Posts: 85

Bikes: Raleigh RX 1.0; Late 90's Trek 830

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Buzzed. I've been getting a buzz cut since I was little, and by myself with the clippers since I was around 12. My wife even bought a pro set for me to replace my dead cheapos!

Yeah so helmet hair just doesn't happen, not enough there to cause a problem.
JosephG is offline  
Old 05-17-14, 07:45 PM
  #3  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 05-17-14, 08:01 PM
  #4  
NOS88
Senior Member
 
NOS88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,489
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 2 Posts
I wear a head sweat cap under the helmet. Keeps the helmet imprints away.
__________________
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
NOS88 is offline  
Old 05-17-14, 08:25 PM
  #5  
andyprough
Senior Member
 
andyprough's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 284

Bikes: Motobecane

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm an accountant. I don't think anyone's paid attention to my hair at work in 20 years.

I probably have helmet hair sometimes and don't even know about it.
andyprough is offline  
Old 05-17-14, 08:32 PM
  #6  
GuNoKo
Senior Member
 
GuNoKo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Colorado Front Range
Posts: 58

Bikes: '12 Gunnar Sport / '02 Novara commuter / Kona Hardtail 29er

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I just took the beanie step as well. Helmet imprints would stay visible for 2 hours or more. I also ride along the river and get lots of bugs trapped in my short hair so I'm thinking it may solve both problems.
GuNoKo is offline  
Old 05-17-14, 08:50 PM
  #7  
gunner65
Senior Member
 
gunner65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lexington KY
Posts: 476

Bikes: Salsa Casseroll for Street and Airborne Hobgoblin for dirt

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Summer buzz cut old #2 across the top at the barber shop.
gunner65 is offline  
Old 05-17-14, 09:57 PM
  #8  
Giant Doofus
Senior Member
 
Giant Doofus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 1,050
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 69 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm a woman with very short hair, a pixie cut. Here's the key: your hair has to be completely dry when you put on the helmet. The longer it has been dry the better. It's almost like your hair wants to be the shape it was 30 minutes after it first dried and will try to default back to that style. I usually just have to use my fingers to mess up my hair after taking the helmet off to get rid of the helmet imprint.
Giant Doofus is offline  
Old 05-17-14, 11:27 PM
  #9  
J.C. Koto
apocryphal sobriquet
 
J.C. Koto's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Star City, NE
Posts: 1,083

Bikes: 2008 Surly Long Haul Trucker "The Truckerino"

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
I ain't got no hair, but I get a nice, noticeable welt on my forehead from the helmet's padding...
J.C. Koto is offline  
Old 05-17-14, 11:37 PM
  #10  
Darth Lefty 
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,446

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,105 Times in 1,369 Posts
Get one of those shower caps with a towel in it that the guy on Shark Tank was pushing a few months ago.
Darth Lefty is offline  
Old 05-18-14, 12:31 AM
  #11  
jputnam
Senior Member
 
jputnam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Pacific, WA
Posts: 1,260

Bikes: Custom 531ST touring, Bilenky Viewpoint, Bianchi Milano, vintage Condor racer

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I bike to a business-dress marketing department, so helmet hair isn't an option. A helmet liner keeps all your hair equally compressed -- that means no hair sticking up into the vents, so it's all equally compressed. Flat, but even, so no helmet hair.
jputnam is offline  
Old 05-18-14, 01:00 AM
  #12  
HvPnyrs
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: In The Middle Of "Out There" / Downtown "Lost Angels"
Posts: 259

Bikes: 2001 Trek 520 - Hvy Hauler, Epic Adventure Bike / 2011 Fuji Newest 1.0 - Sporty Quick Bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I find a Classic cotton bicycle cap works most days for my 15 mi. commute. I buy them on sale for $5-$6 (Nashbar usually).

During heat waves (just coming off a week of 90+ temps w/ several days 100+ here in L. A.) l would grab a Headsweats *Dew Rag*. Though I now have gone into Summer Mode and gotten the fall/winter accumulation buzzed off. I'm also trying out a couple of cycling caps made from a *wicking fabric* like the fabric in the Headsweats.

An Important Plus of using something between your Sweaty, Greasy hair/scalp and the helmet is reducing/eliminating the development of the dreaded HELMETFUNKY pad syndrome!!
HvPnyrs is offline  
Old 05-18-14, 02:00 AM
  #13  
yote223
Senior Member
 
yote223's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: MN.
Posts: 239

Bikes: A MTB and something else with 2 pedals.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Maybe just lose the helmet?
yote223 is offline  
Old 05-18-14, 04:17 AM
  #14  
Saving Hawaii
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Chico, Cali
Posts: 541
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I started having my hairdresser meet me before work, at work each day rather than at my house.
Saving Hawaii is offline  
Old 05-18-14, 04:47 AM
  #15  
bulevardi
Full Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Pajottenland, Brussels, Belgium
Posts: 218

Bikes: L'Avenir Urban, Cannondale Bad Boy

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Liked 75 Times in 22 Posts
"I put on my wig again, to cover the helmet imprints after I put off my helmet." would do the trick.

Last edited by bulevardi; 05-18-14 at 04:51 AM.
bulevardi is offline  
Old 05-18-14, 04:50 AM
  #16  
bulevardi
Full Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Pajottenland, Brussels, Belgium
Posts: 218

Bikes: L'Avenir Urban, Cannondale Bad Boy

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Liked 75 Times in 22 Posts
I used to have short hair before and had that compulsive helmet imprint syndrome too.
But since my hair grew until my shoulders, it lies flat, and don't have any other hairdisorder issues anymore,
bulevardi is offline  
Old 05-18-14, 05:59 AM
  #17  
Dzrtrat
Delusions of Grandeur
 
Dzrtrat's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: East Texas
Posts: 208

Bikes: '92 Specialized Crossroads, '79 Schwinn Varsity, '72 Schwinn Speedster

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Peel it like a grape...
Dzrtrat is offline  
Old 05-18-14, 07:47 AM
  #18  
JoeyBike
20+mph Commuter
 
JoeyBike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Greenville. SC USA
Posts: 7,517

Bikes: Surly LHT, Surly Lowside, a folding bike, and a beater.

Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1434 Post(s)
Liked 331 Times in 219 Posts
Originally Posted by rekon
My hair is short 3" clip on top. How are you guys dealing with this? Not a big issue but curious on what everyone does...
Just a few ideas. Helmet or not.

For Men:

1. Keep it short or shave it off.

2. Join a gym close to work. Shower and style there.

3. Get a job where no one cares.

For Women:


1. Style it really short or grow it really long. Cute "in between" styles and spiked doos are out unless...

2. Join a gym close to work and style there.

3. Don't look good in a crew cut? Grow it long, pull it into a pony tail. Helmet hair is impossible. For professionals, when you get to work, twist the pony tail into a bun and pin it up in on minute (with practice).

4. Get a job where no one cares.

HINT: If you are trying to land a rich law partner or doctor, get the cutest hair style possible, make the investment in a cheap car and pay for parking until the whale is landed. After the honeymoon see 1-4 above.

Last edited by JoeyBike; 05-18-14 at 07:53 AM.
JoeyBike is online now  
Old 05-18-14, 08:08 AM
  #19  
Northwestrider
Senior Member
 
Northwestrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 2,470

Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Dahon Mu P 24 , Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Rodriguez Tandem, Wheeler MTB

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
skull cap
Northwestrider is offline  
Old 05-18-14, 09:03 AM
  #20  
andyprough
Senior Member
 
andyprough's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 284

Bikes: Motobecane

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by JoeyBike
Just a few ideas. Helmet or not.

For Men:

1. Keep it short or shave it off.

2. Join a gym close to work. Shower and style there.

3. Get a job where no one cares.

For Women:


1. Style it really short or grow it really long. Cute "in between" styles and spiked doos are out unless...

2. Join a gym close to work and style there.

3. Don't look good in a crew cut? Grow it long, pull it into a pony tail. Helmet hair is impossible. For professionals, when you get to work, twist the pony tail into a bun and pin it up in on minute (with practice).

4. Get a job where no one cares.

HINT: If you are trying to land a rich law partner or doctor, get the cutest hair style possible, make the investment in a cheap car and pay for parking until the whale is landed. After the honeymoon see 1-4 above.
For men or women:

1. Buy the company. Fire anyone who gives you grief about your helmet hair.

HINT: If you are trying to land a rich law partner or doctor, wear a lot of tight lycra all the time. They won't ever look high enough to notice your hair.
andyprough is offline  
Old 05-18-14, 09:08 AM
  #21  
TransitBiker
contiuniously variable
 
TransitBiker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,280

Bikes: 2012 Breezer Uptown Infinity, Fuji Varsity

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
I keep my hair shorter than 1/4 inch #1 on the DIY clipper set, so this is never an issue. I ride too often to worry about having some fashionable hair style, 100% function over form. In winter i wear a hat, thickness depending on the ambient outdoor temp under helmet in place of the pads. In summer the short hair also means sweat evaporates more quickly, and i say cooler because air can get to the skin.

- Andy
TransitBiker is offline  
Old 05-18-14, 09:48 AM
  #22  
fietsbob
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,355 Times in 862 Posts
Yea put on a hat when you take off the helmet .. then it will be hat hair, more socially acceptable.. LA is all about vanity ..
fietsbob is offline  
Old 05-18-14, 03:35 PM
  #23  
rekon
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
rekon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 495
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
how about this solution... is there a helmet out there that's ventilated and does not give you helmet hair. My bern helmet doesn't give me helmet hair but it has absolutely no ventilation!
rekon is offline  
Old 05-18-14, 04:15 PM
  #24  
cat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Oro Valley, AZ
Posts: 146

Bikes: 2012 Schwinn Slicker, 2011 Trek Sawyer, 2014 Kona Unit

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by JosephG
Buzzed. I've been getting a buzz cut since I was little, and by myself with the clippers since I was around 12. My wife even bought a pro set for me to replace my dead cheapos!

Yeah so helmet hair just doesn't happen, not enough there to cause a problem.
Yep...buzzed for me as well. #1 all around. Do it myself about every other week.
cat is offline  
Old 05-18-14, 04:22 PM
  #25  
JosephG
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: NJ
Posts: 85

Bikes: Raleigh RX 1.0; Late 90's Trek 830

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by cat
Yep...buzzed for me as well. #1 all around. Do it myself about every other week.
It's the best! #1 here too. I just don't feel comfortable with my hair any longer than that at this point. I clean it up once a week, but give it a once over every other day.
JosephG is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.