I never had a problem with my thick hair up…even when it was long. My helmets always stayed put. I mean, there’s always the chance something could move it…but there is the similar chance without your hair up…
or you could channel Danielle Goldstein and weave feathers into your hair 
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I have medium-thick shoulder length hair. I usually do a low braid when it’s wet, roll it up and double-elastic into a low bun. It stays put under my helmet.
I have shoulder length hair that’s not particularly thick. I’m a hunter hair all the time person.
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Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I think I’m going to have to sit myself down and learn to braid my own hair on the next rainy day…
Yes I could just use a hairnet - I don’t know what my aversion to them is, apart from sticking out like a sore thumb as no-one uses them in my area. But if I can keep my hair under control without one I can also use it when hiking, at work etc.
Just use the hairnet - who cares what the railbirds think? You can use a hairnet without doing hunter ears and it’s hardly noticeable. I use one at the QH/Open shows I go to (where the show bow is the thing - :eek: gross) and sure I get some looks if someone sees me doing it or taking my helmet off, but I figure if that’s the one thing they’re laughing at it’s a good day.
I use a hairnet 99.9% of the time. The .01% that I don’t I always regret it because I can’t stand the feel of flyaways tickling my face. I’m known to yank those out without partiality. :eek:
Once you get the hang of it, it literally takes 5 seconds to do and does exactly what you’re wanting. You can use the hairnet and not tuck your ponytail inside your helmet. I only tuck my hair up for showing in the hunters and otherwise leave my pony out…but always with a hairnet and always with hunter ears.
For hiking, my recommendation is just to do a french braid or a ponytail underneath a ballcap. Strangely wispies don’t bother me when hiking, and they’re quite “in” these days, so I don’t worry about that at all when hiking. If they bother you that much try using some light hairspray or a texture spray with some hold when you do the pony or braid and that should hold it all in place. Alternatively use a stretchy workout type headband and that’ll do the trick. (You could also try a thin one under your helmet for riding).
For work…man I’m trying to imagine what sort of giant hair situation you’ve got going on here…:lol:…but just a little spray of hairspray should do the trick!
How would anyone know you are wearing one? Hairnets come is all different colors to match any hair. The drugstore kind are super thin, but don’t last very long. Put the hairnet on, pull your hair into a low pony and you are good to go.
I simply put a hair net on my hair down, pull it back like making a pony tail and pony the net right in to make a point tail. Flip my head down so pony on top my head then helmet over. All hair under helmet. I can’t stand hair strays tickling me when I sweat lol
I cut mine off short years ago now. I cram my helmet on top if it, perhaps I have run a comb through it before that. Then when my classes are finished, I put my head under the nearest tap to wash the sweat off and cool off. Then I give my head a shake, run my fingers through the wet mop, and carry on with my day.
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Maybe OP doesn’t want their hair up in their helmet? Fair enough. However would still advise the hairnet, just without flipping it up into the helmet with a neat ponytail if that is the case. Will help with the baby hairs around the ears. And only takes a few seconds. The “no knot” hairnets are even simpler than the typical ones…Can’t go wrong (Coming from someone who wears a hairnet every ride!)
I ride at a barn with mostly dressage riders. The fine haired girls try so hard to get the fly aways under control for shows. Gels, braids, pins. Doesn’t seem to last long in the summer sweat. I always tell them to buy hair nets. You don’t have to put it over your ears. For some reason, they are ok with the little bun nets with the blingy bows on them (makes my hunter haired self cringe—I prefer a plain bun if you are wearing a bun) but won’t have a net under their helmet??
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I also was having such problem. It’s always hard to choose what to do with hair. So I use braid or if I don’t have much jumping bun
I have long, thick hair and a long oval head–>helmet fitting is a miserable experience. Most helmets are too tight on my forehead even before I put my hair up behind. Ponytail and occasionally a braid (easiest with gel and when hair is wet). I am all about respect for the sport, but my helmet fitting and lack of headaches are more important.
Bottom line, it’s a timed event.
EU jumper here, I wear a pony tail or a bun if it’s hot. I was so happy to stop having to do hunter hair when I moved over!
