I'm with you on this one... heat shouldn't be an issue with helmets and I've got the same hair and live in the south too. I do wear one. I won't even sit in the saddle without it on. Although I've never really banged my head hard in the bike wrecks I've had, I splatted into the street a couple of weeks ago and noticed some scuff marks at various points around the helmet. Perhaps that accident could have been worse had it not been for the helmet? I'd rather not take the chance of finding out.