Helmet Hair
#1
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...
#2
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Bikes: Raleigh RX 1.0; Late 90's Trek 830
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.
Yeah so helmet hair just doesn't happen, not enough there to cause a problem.
#4
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
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
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Front Range
Bikes: '12 Gunnar Sport / '02 Novara commuter / Kona Hardtail 29er
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.
#8
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.
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 2
From: Pacific, WA
Bikes: Custom 531ST touring, Bilenky Viewpoint, Bianchi Milano, vintage Condor racer
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.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: In The Middle Of "Out There" / Downtown "Lost Angels"
Bikes: 2001 Trek 520 - Hvy Hauler, Epic Adventure Bike / 2011 Fuji Newest 1.0 - Sporty Quick Bike
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!!
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!!
#15
Full Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 219
Likes: 86
From: Pajottenland, Brussels, Belgium
Bikes: L'Avenir Urban, Cannondale Bad Boy
"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.
#16
Full Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 219
Likes: 86
From: Pajottenland, Brussels, Belgium
Bikes: L'Avenir Urban, Cannondale Bad Boy
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,
But since my hair grew until my shoulders, it lies flat, and don't have any other hairdisorder issues anymore,
#18
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.
#20
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:
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.
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.
#21
contiuniously variable

Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 9
From: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Bikes: 2012 Breezer Uptown Infinity, Fuji Varsity
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
- Andy
#23
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!
#25
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Bikes: Raleigh RX 1.0; Late 90's Trek 830









