haircuts?

[thebarber]

I'm thinking about shaving my head for the heat. But I'm also worried about the extra exposure it might get from the sun. Any suggestions? Would a bandana give me enough protection? Thanks.

[footslogger]

I'm pretty follicularly challenged on top and tend to keep what's left trimmed pretty close. I am going to stick a set of clippers in my bounce box to keep it that way while I'm hiking.

My plan is to apply high SPF sunscreen generously and wear a light colored boonie hat that has mesh around the sides for ventillation.

[AlohaTink]

Well for me I just had 6 inches cut off of my long hair to make it more comfortable while hiking.

My two sons who will be hiking with me are so opposite.
One has so much hair he cannot wear a hat the other looks completely bald. He shaves his head all the time and must wear a hat or his brain will boil out there above the treeline.

Our hair helps cool us and protects us from the sun rays...I am not so sure I would shave or cut it so close if you have the option of having hair up there.
You will need a hat or bandana for sure. Blisters on the top of your head would be terrible...all be it sorta funny:D

[chai guy]

RE: Sunscreen:

I found sunscreen to be rather useless on the pct. The problems are:

1. Sunscreen is heavy, it's difficult to carry enough between stops/mail drops to really work.

2. It's a dirt/grime magnet.

3. You end up sweating it off almost as soon as you put it on.


For these reasons, I believe you should wear a hat that is capable of providing shade for your entire face and neck.

Long Sleeve shirts will actually keep you cooler via evaporative cooling (same goes for long pants vs. shorts).

Look at cultures that thrive in the desert, they're always covered from head to foot.

As far as hair goes, I had both long and short hair on the pct, and I enjoyed my hair short more. Just my opinion.

[girlscout]

i agree with chai. short hair is much better on the pct, but a hat is a MUST. don't bother with a bandana for sun protection, get a good sun hat. i never used any sunscreen at all on my hike, rather, i always stayed clothed from head to toe: hat, long sleeve shirt, long pants, sun gloves. the only time i got sunburn on the pct was in the sierra, when my face was exposed to sunlight reflection from the snow. in retrospect, that's the only place where, if i were to do it again, i'd use sunscreen.

girlscout

[thebarber]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm now thinking i'll just cut it somewhat short and get a goofy sun hat. I'm not much of hat person but i'll do what I have to :) Could an umbrella replace a hat? (i'll start another thread for this) thanks again!

[girlscout]

i don't think an umbrella replaces a hat, because chances are you won't want to use your umbrella constantly. if nothing else, the wind in some sections will make that a pain. having said that, you do see lots of folks with umbrellas on the pct, but the vast majority will also have a hat with them.

[George]

I'd say keep a layer of hair and also get yourself a light brimmed hat for sun protection with maybe a loose bandanna for neck protection. (which can double as a sweat rag, wash flannel, or even bandage or tourniquet if unfortunately needed)
Body hair is good protection - one of the reasons I let my beard grow on extended hikes is for the added weather protection it gives - wish I could say the same for the hair on the top of my head though, which could best be described as 'eggshell blonde' :o
A bit of sunscreen would be handy for the face and reflected surface rays, but as Chai Guy pointed out, it certainly is a dirt magnet!

[Mags]

FWIW, I cut my increasingly vanishing hair very short (reason include genetics and ease of maintenance). On the trail, I go with the long sleeve and dorky sun hat combo.

I don't bother with sunscreen for many of the reasons Chai mention. I also tan extremely well too, so that helps and eliminates the need for long pants and hand protection (for me).