How to Wear Your Hair for Skydiving

Table of Contents

• Why is Hair Prep Important Before Skydiving?
• How to Wear Your Hair for a Skydive
• Do I Have to Tie My Hair Up for Skydiving?
• How Do You Look Cute When Skydiving?

Key Takeaways

When it comes to skydiving, how you wear your hair matters more than you might think. The right style can help improve comfort, ensure a safer, more enjoyable jump, and prevent tangles. Whether your hair is long, short, or curly, a little prep goes a long way. This guide breaks down the best tips for looking and feeling great at 14,000 feet.

There’s no doubt that skydiving is an electrifying experience – and whether you’re jumping from an exciting 14,000 feet or flying into a wind tunnel, how you manage your hair can really make or break your day. Thousands of tiny strands flying freely in 120 mph winds can quickly turn into a tangled disaster.

For skydiving, long hair should be securely tied back to prevent it from obstructing vision or tangling during freefall. But what if you don’t have long hair? What about beards? We’re here to answer all of your hairy questions.

Why is Hair Prep Important Before Skydiving?

Hair preparations before skydiving are important for three main reasons:

• Safety
  Freefall speeds reach about 120 mph, meaning loose hair can easily impair visibility, distract you (and especially your tandem instructor), or even snag on equipment – risers, toggles, or helmet edges. While rare, some experienced jumpers have even reported their hair getting tangled during parachute deployment.
• Comfort
  Imagine landing from your life-changing and euphoric jump, only to discover that you have thousands of unruly knots in your hair waiting for you to untangle. Too much time and conditioner – yeesh! 
• Aesthetics
  It’s natural to want stunning photos of you and your jump – especially if this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you. Sleek, secure styling can enhance your sky-high selfies and keep your adrenaline-fueled hairdo looking intentional, not disastrous.

How to Wear Your Hair for a Skydive

The way you wear your hair will depend on a few factors: length, texture, and location.

Long Hair Tips

• Braids: For long hair, braids are consistently recommended by skydivers as the most effective way to tame long tresses mid-flight. Styles like French, Dutch, or cornrow braids kept close to the scalp minimize the impact of the wind.
• Bun: Low buns work great, but high winds can also undo them – so try beefing them up with multiple elastics.
• Ponytail: Low ponytails are simple but often tangle easily as the hair is still loose and exposed to the whirling winds. Consider multiple elastics spaced along the tail or try tucking it under your jumpsuit.
• Buff: Looking for extra hair insurance? Wearing a buff, bandana, or stretchy skull cap over your style – and under the helmet for experienced skydivers – is a popular, effective solution. It keeps strands in place, cuts down frizz, and adds an extra layer of hair security and swag.

Short Hair Tips

Short hair – chin length or above – usually poses no problem. Still, bangs can wind up in your eyes. Do your best to secure them back with a hair tie, band, or clip so you can focus on the view instead of your strands.

Curly or Textured Hair Tips

Curly, textured hair types do just fine in freefall. You’ll want to bring extra elastics or add a wrap for longer hairstyles, loose curls, braided locs, extensions, or lace fronts to keep your hair windproof and, more importantly, out of your eyes!

Beard Tips

Beards can also take flight. If your beard is full and long, you can braid it or tie it back tightly so it doesn’t flap across your face or block your vision. Your photos and video will thank you!

Do I Have to Tie My Hair Up for Skydiving?

Can you skydive with your hair down? Technically, yes – we’re not going to stop you. Tying your hair up is not necessarily a safety requirement enforced by the dropzone or the United States Parachute Association (USPA), but it is the best way to keep your hair out of your skydiving instructor’s vision and gear. It also helps you enjoy the experience fully without adding discomfort during your jump or hair frustration after you land.

If you’re thinking more about the post-jump pics, consider taking a moment to get it just-so once you’re back on the ground and snap several pics before leaving the dropzone!

How Do You Look Cute When Skydiving?

Looking cute while skydiving doesn’t have to come at the expense of safety. Braided styles look chic and intentional. A low, tight bun with stylish pins can add flair without compromising hold, and paired with a beautiful buff or hair wrap is both practical and Instagram-worthy. 

What’s more important than looking great is feeling great! As long as you’re smiling and having the time of your life, you won’t even worry about what your hair looks like.

Ready to put your skydiving hairstyle to the test? Book your tandem with Skydive Monroe and see if your hairstyle can withstand a wild 14,000 feet of awesomeness! Blue skies.