How to Wear a Motorcycle Helmet with Long Hair

One of the most challenging tasks for female bikers and riders with long hair is how to maintain their hair underneath their helmets. Finding a helmet that perfectly fits your head, your hairstyle getting messed up every day, and worrying about hair loss are things that bug many riders with long hair. There are different ways to tie and manage your hair while wearing a helmet without getting strands in your face, hindering your view, or becoming damaged. This article explains different ways you can wear a motorcycle helmet with long hair.

• Table of Contents
• 1. Tightly Tie Up Your Hair
• 2. BMake a Ponytail
• 3. Braiding Your Hair
• 4. Get The Right-Sized Helmet
• 5. Wear a Head Sock, Bandana, and Balaclava
• 6. Using a Hightail Bike Hair Protector
• 7. Wearing a Neck Gaiter
• 8. Wearing a Scarf or a Durag
• 9. Things to Remember Before Wearing a Helmet If You Have Long Hair
• 10. Takeaway

1. Tightly Tie Up Your Hair

If you are a long-hair rider, you should tie up your hair and then wear a helmet. It will keep your hair in place without getting tangled. You can tie up your hair in a bun or set it free below the helmet. The reason why hair starts to fall in most conditions is weak hair roots. Therefore, you must keep the roots covered under the helmet.

2. Make a Ponytail

Photo Credit: @sarah__merrell

Making a ponytail is one of the simplest and most popular ways to tie your hair, especially among women. If you are tired of your long hair constantly getting tangled, make a ponytail. You can then wear a bandana or a head sock to cover your head and your ponytail. You can insert your ponytail into your jacket by pulling it through the neck cover before donning a helmet.

While making a ponytail, make sure that it is not too loose or too tight. If it is too tight, it will constantly pull your hair when you wear a motorcycle helmet. If it is too loose, it will get tangled inside the helmet. You can also cover your ponytail with cloth or leather hair wraps to avoid your hair becoming frizzy.

3. Braiding Your Hair

Photo Credit: @helmetsinsider

Braids are a hairstyle for long hair that involves interlacing two to three strands together. Braiding can help keep your hair in a fixed manner. Braids do not come undone even if you wear a helmet for a long time. However, braiding your hair too tightly can result in headaches and Traction Alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss due to your hair forcefully and constantly being pulled.

4. Get The Right-Sized Helmet

Riders who do not wear the right-sized helmet often get messy hair, even if they tie it up. Wearing the right-sized helmet will help keep your hair from sticking out. Before buying a motorcycle helmet, measure the size of your head using a measuring tape. Factor in the length of your long hair as well when taking the measurement.

Also Read: WHAT ARE THE HELMET LAWS PER STATE?

5. Wear a Head Sock, Bandana, and Balaclava

A balaclava is an article of clothing that covers everything above your shoulders while leaving an opening for the eyes. 

A head sock is an article of clothing you use to cover and keep your head warm in winter and keep your hair out of your eyes. A head sock and a balaclava are often considered the same thing.

A bandana is an article of clothing or a handkerchief tied around your head.

Photo Credit: @webbikeworld

If you have average long hair, you can wear a bandana to cover your head underneath your helmet. This will keep the helmet’s interior from directly touching and shifting your hair.

Riders with long hair below shoulder height should wear a balaclava or a hair sock to protect their hair and neck from dust. You can also tie up your hair in a bun underneath a bandana.

6. Using a Hightail Bike Hair Protector

Photo Credit: @rideinstyleltd

A hightail bike hair protector can be an alternative to a head sock or a balaclava. This is a simple hair protector mounted at the back of the helmet to keep the hair bun from getting tangled. When attached to the helmet, it makes a pocket-like shape where you can insert your hair. The hightail bike hair protector can accommodate thick, thin, curly, and straight hair.

To use a hightail bike hair protector, riders should wear a head or skull cap. Direct contact between the helmet and the hair can cause your hair to be damaged. Most motorcycle helmets have inner liners that can be an alternative to a head or skull cap. Make sure to wash your helmet’s inner liner and interior to get rid of any filth after every ride.

Also Read: HOW TO CLEAN YOUR MOTORCYCLE HELMET?

7. Wearing a Neck Gaiter

Photo Credit: @headskinz

A neck gaiter is a handy substitute for a hightail bike hair protector that helps protect your ponytail or hair bun from the back. However, it shouldn’t be worn without a head or skull cap to ensure your hair is protected from the roots of the ponytail.

8. Wearing a Scarf or a Durag

Wearing a scarf or a durag inside the helmet will help cover your hair to keep it from constantly rubbing against the helmet’s interior. You can tie a scarf or a durag around your head as tight or loose as you want. Durags and scarves are widely used by motorcycle riders with curly or coily hair.

9. Things to Remember Before Wearing a Helmet If You Have Long Hair

• Do not wear a helmet if you have wet hair. Let it air dry or use a hair dryer first.
• Make sure to shower and wash your hair with shampoo to wash the dirt off your hair and scalp. Combing and styling your hair when it is messy and dirty can weaken the hair roots and result in hair loss.
• Following a motorcycle tour, if you find dirt in your hair but are unable to wash it off, use dry shampoo. Eventually, you will have to take a shower as dry shampoo cannot be a substitute for washing your hair with water and soap.
• Most long-haired riders get frizzy hair after wearing a helmet for a long time. To keep your hair from becoming brittle, put oil in your hair and massage your head regularly.
• Do not comb your hair right after removing your helmet after finishing a long motorcycle ride.
• Do not apply hair sprays or gels before wearing a helmet.
• Make sure to clean your helmet’s interior regularly to prevent dust and grime from getting stuck in the inner lining.
• If you have trouble wearing a full-face helmet with long hair, you can use a modular helmet and put on a neck gaiter or bandana to cover your neck.

Also Read: IDEAS ON HOW TO USE MOTORCYCLE SISSY BARS

10. Takeaway

Riding a motorbike without a helmet is dangerous, especially if you get into an accident. A motorcycle helmet must be of good quality and worn at all times while riding a motorcycle.

It can be difficult to wear a motorcycle helmet if you have long hair. But If you properly tie your hair and wear accessories to better protect your hair while riding, this will hardly be an issue. You can cover your head with a head sock, a bandana, or a balaclava. If you put your hair into a bun or a ponytail, you can use a hightail bike hair protector or wear a neck gaiter.

Buying a helmet that perfectly fits your head is a good investment. Just make sure to take the length of your hair into account when measuring and picking the right helmet. A helmet, bandana, and hair gaiter help you look cool and protect your hair and neck.  Likewise, you can improve your motorcycle’s look by installing accessories like crash bars and sissy bars. The crash bars help protect your motorcycle’s engine from being scratched. Other aftermarket parts available at Viking Bags include saddlebags, fairings, handlebars, and sissy bar bags.