Does a Beard Keep You Warmer?

Posted by Alex in Science & Tech on December 3, 2007 at 3:44 am


That is the question that Pete Hickey wanted to test scientifically when he conducted this experiment:

People have been saying, "A beard keeps you warmer."

Sure it sounds good, but has anybody ever really tested this theory? In the interest of science, I thought of cutting off my beard for a winter to determine if it would be colder without it. Thinking about it for a while, I realized that this was no good. Maybe it would be a warmer (colder) winter this year. Maybe I would forget how cold (warm) it was last year.

I needed a control! Another person was no good; their perception of cold may not agree with mine. I had only one choice. Shave half of my beard.

Here are his findings: Link - via Say No to Crack



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COMMENT

5 comments to "Does a Beard Keep You Warmer?"

  1. Tempscire
    December 3rd, 2007 at 3:53 pm

    He is disturbingly pasty in that picture. Wow.

    Also, I thought the warmth thing was part of why beards were so common in Russia until…someone…Peter the Great? made them all Europeanize by shaving them off.

  2. Vonskippy
    December 3rd, 2007 at 7:38 pm

    Seems like he used Mythbusters type science.

    Hardly an accurate test by only having half a beard. Did he test his ski jacket by wearing it half off? Or a car with half a windshield?

    //who knew zombies could grow beards (or shave for that matter) - man that guy needs some sun.

  3. Chris W
    December 3rd, 2007 at 8:12 pm

    a beard defo keeps you warmer, hair insulates! someone with an afro will be warmer than a bald guy. Is like haiving a built in hat!
    A beard is almost like a built in scarf!

  4. Jesus
    December 3rd, 2007 at 9:34 pm

    It’s actually cooler in the summertime as well.

  5. nebulous
    December 7th, 2007 at 9:38 am

    This is actually point #2 on the hard-science backed justification page for SweetBeard.com

    http://www.sweetbeard.com/justification

    If you think the Mythbusters didn’t understand science, wait until you read that!


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