What do you do with your hair for skydiving?

If a first-time tandem skydive is on the horizon, it probably feels like there are a thousand questions buzzing around your brain. Since there’s nothing that really measures up to skydiving, chances are you’re not sure what to expect or how to prepare … particularly when it comes to skydiving hair.

Whether you’re rocking a fabulous Farrah Fawcett flip, luscious locks, or a burly beard, you’ll want to make sure you choose the best skydiving hairstyle you can. It’s not just about looking good. It’s also about keeping you safe and comfortable with the skydiving hair you choose. Let’s jump right in, shall we!?

Here are a few skydiving hair questions we often receive.

For many individuals, hair is a form of expression. You can cut it, dye it, style it, and accessorize it. Hair is one of the ways we can show the world a glimpse into our personality. When it comes to how you should wear your hair when you skydive, we don’t want to cramp your style. However, we do have a few suggestions for skydiving hairstyles to help keep you and your tandem skydiving instructor comfortable and safe.

For those individuals with short hair, you really don’t have much to worry about. Short hair is considered hair that is chin-length or shorter, and it’s pretty much skydive-ready. If you sport a shorter inverted style with lengthier bangs though, you’ll want to keep your hair out of your eyes while in freefall. Consider pulling your bangs back with an elastic hair tie or another instructor-approved method.

While skydiving with short hair presents few problems, skydiving with long hair is another matter entirely. Long hair and 120mph freefall don’t mix well. Untamed, long hair whips about in freefall, obscuring your instructor’s vision and tangling into some of the gnarliest knots you’ve ever seen. Trust us: it’s best to try out these skydiving hairstyles rather than letting your strands hang loose.

Ponytail:

Both low and high ponytail skydiving hairstyles are generally effective for keeping your hair contained and neat. Although, depending on the length of your hair, you may still experience tangles and knots in the ponytail. If your hair is long enough, you may want to consider securing it back in a bun.

Braids:

Braids are a popular skydiving hairstyle choice. Braids help keep the hair neatly contained while still allowing you to look absolutely fabulous for your skydiving photos! If you have long braids or locs, to protect your instructor and to keep their view clear, you may also want to consider securing your hair with pins, wearing a headscarf, or bundling it in a skull cap. Just make sure your clips or cover of choice are A-OK with your instructor.

Bun or Knots:

Buns and knots are very popular hairstyles for skydiving. These hairstyles allow you to keep your hair out of your face and out of the face of the instructor, all while preventing tangling and (unwanted) knots.

We want you to be as comfortable as possible on your skydive. If you are an individual who is balding or thinning and typically covers your hair, you can still do so on your skydive. We recommend wearing a securely fastened head scarf or bandana. While we cannot provide a total guarantee, both of these options tend to remain on throughout freefall. Let your instructor know the deal so they can help set you up for success.

There are certain hair systems that can hold up to the speed of freefall. If you are going to attempt skydiving with a wig on, we recommend adding a bandana tied securely around the head and wearing goggles to keep it all from flying off. Talk with your instructor about the best solution for your specific circumstance.

Long hair sprouting from your crown isn’t the only hair that needs to be considered while skydiving. If you sport a particularly long or bushy beard, it is a good idea to secure it in a ponytail holder before skydiving. This will help to keep it out of your face during freefall and keep you from looking like “Cousin It” in your skydiving pics!

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We can’t wait to see what skydiving hairstyle you choose. And, as always, if you have any further questions about skydiving hair, what to wear, whether you can wear glasses or contact lenses, what the general rules are, if you can eat before you skydive, or anything else … please reach out! We’re happy to help!