Summer’s here, and that means it’s time to take a look at the best athletic haircuts for guys. Or men. Whatever they call us.
With hot weather, you’ll want a low-maintenance, short haircut. That’s not just because it’ll look good (it will, if you go to the right barbershop), but because your hair affects how well you perform in hot weather.
For athletic performance, science says shorter is better.
Studies have found that cropped hair produced “significant differences in thermal comfort and sweat sensation” compared with longer hair. Essentially, people with shorter hair feel cooler and less sweaty.
That doesn’t mean you need to take all the hair off your head.
If you shave your head completely, you’ll also have trouble competing. When you’re shaved bald, more sun reaches your scalp, which negates any heat advantages you get.
Go with one of these five haircuts.
The following styles are short enough to keep you cool, and those are the kind of athletic haircuts guys start to come in for in the summer. But the idea of a low-maintenance cut doesn’t take a genius to figure out. You don’t want to have unruly hair in your face or be worried about running out of pomade. You want to play football. Plain and simple.
1. Opt for a crew cut that strikes a balance between performance and style.
The crew cut is a classic style, characterized by shorter hair on the sides and back, with a slightly longer top. It strikes a balance between a clean look and minimal upkeep. It’s perfect for athletes who want a neat appearance while allowing for some personality.
2. Choose a high and tight for esprit de corps vibes.
A high and tight is a military-inspired cut characterized by an ultra-short side and back, with a slightly longer strip of hair on top.
High and tights are similar to crew cuts. The main difference is that the fade is more aggressive. It’s a good athletic haircut for guys with strong facial features and coarse or straight hair, and we can make a lot of different choices to keep the cut sharp and functional.
3. Go for a buzz cut for maximum breathability in headgear and under the sun.
We all know the buzz cut: It’s shaved the same length on all sides. Really short. The last stop before full-on bald. I’d recommend a buzz cut for the boxing gym or football field.
It’s a classic, straightforward choice that suits any face shape. Add a close-cut beard with clean lines. A man with a buzz cut and beard is not to be trifled with.
4. A textured crop will perform in heat and works for guys with hair that’s especially thick and prone to curling.
If you catch a game on TV, there’s a good chance several of the players will be sporting a textured crop. It features a fade on the sides and back (the length of the fade is up to you or your barber) and a longer, textured top.
The textured crop gives you more length to work with than a crew cut, but not so much hair that it’ll get in the way. It’s especially great for those of us with thick or wavy hair. You can rock this after-hours if you’re not looking to be a 24/7 jock.
5. Oh, the classic taper: a summertime barbershop classic.
When you think of a “classic cut,” there’s a good chance you’re picturing a classic taper. The hair gradually shortens from the top of the head down to the sides and back, while maintaining some length at the neckline.
Now, a taper done by the wrong barber will look way too Leave It To Beaver or Andy Griffith Show or Happy Days. Strike that last one out of respect for the Fonz. You know what I mean. Or maybe you don’t, and I’m old. Okay, it’s a little kid’s private school haircut, but it can also be a great man’s cut.
For best results, I recommend styling the classic taper with a touch of pomade or adding a tasteful side part.
Get on over to The Classic because it’s getting hot.
Get a low-maintenance short haircut that’ll hold up on the field, in the gym, or on the court.
Book an appointment online for a cut today.
