BRRRRRRRRRRRRD: A Winter-Time Accessory

Hello All,

One of your fellow readers has brought up a good, seasonal point: beards keep you warm!!!  Considering the weather, though oddly warm for February, now is as good a time as any time to discuss the wind-blocking powers of a beard.

Sure, you could go out and buy a nice scarf, or one of those fleece neck warmers, or even one of those beanies with a beard knitted to it, but the most rugged men have been sporting icicle-ridden beards in frozen planes since the inception of beards… or the inception of cold… you get the idea.

You may not realize this, but a beard can be a versatile tool in battling the cold, though it helps to grow it out pretty long in the winter months.  A longer beard will block wind better than the ever-popular five o’clock shadow or something slightly longer.  Actually, I can’t think of a better example of an ideal beard than good-old St. Nick.  The man flies around in a topless sled at high altitude in cold weather, I’m sure if anyone knows how to stay warm in the wind, it’s this guy.

However, while a beard will protect you from the wind better than a clean shaven face, do not discount the luxury of a nice scarf.  While beard hair by itself will not provide great insulation, but a scarf will definitely augment a beard’s insulating powers. when flying free, a beard will let heat escape, but under a scarf it is almost like another layer, not to mention it will keep your whiskers from freezing to your face. (speaking of… don’t you feel bad-ass when your whiskers freeze?)

One word of caution though, fellas: as it is demonstrated by the photo beneath, you must be pretty diligent about wiping your nose.  That’s one mustache accessory you could probably do without.

Photo Credit: Robert Thomson