Certainly, anything can serve as insulation, especially in windy conditions. But it is no substitute for good ol' neoprene.
I had a beard last year, and it didn't keep me warmer in the water. In fact its works against you. Your hood doesn't seal as good and beard ices up. Going clean shaven this year.
glad we dont get this cold down here in nc i'm growing some sick sideburns for winter time, also no more haircuts.
Page 2 pwd.... I don't agree with you all.....mostly..I would think of it more as of an insulation. Plus, the chaff on a cleanly shaven face is horrible under the chin area. I prefer beards! YARRRRR!
ive never really grown a beard cause im only 17 but i doubt it would keep you that warm cause your pubes dont keep your dong warm when the waters cold so why would facial hair keep your face warm?
Haha......how do you know your pubes aren't helping? have you shaved them b4? I have shaved my face clean as a babies ass and with a hood i hate it. Beard I like it. Still cold either way you look at it. But, I don' think there is any tests out there that can prove that a beard will in fact make you warmer. I just feel IMO that it does in my case. So beard it is.
the comment about getting ice in your beard being bad isnt true. I grow out my beard during the winter, and it freezes everyday while im out snowboarding. It for sure keeps me warmer than when i have i freshly shaven face. So Ice in the beard=Good. Come on guys it doesn't take rocket scientist to figure that one, why the hell else would hair grow there??? It keeps you warm
Think I have surfed a winter under every option and none assist more than others. What really helps the most are trips out of the US for many of the winter months. And having ice on your hair can cause it to break. I had that happen once way back in the day when riding home on a bike after catching some waves in a snow storm.
hahaha classic answer. i kinda like scruffy, its a nice mix. besides my face isnt whats cold, its usually my hands and nose that go first
