Fellas, admit it.
You got a corporate job after graduation, grew out that beautiful shaved head, and dreamed of the day when you could shave it all off again.
No? Just me? I don’t believe it…
Almost every guy has had a shaved head at some point in their life and if you have, you know how good it feels, how easy it is to deal with, and how good you look with one.
With no job for a year and nobody to look responsible for, I decided it was the perfect time to bring that buzz cut back and rock it hard.
But besides my mildly rebellious impulse to shed my coporate banking look for something a little more retro, there were also some compelling reasons why a shaved head is perfect for Longterm travel.
Why Every Guy Should Shave His Head For Longterm Travel
Meg... You sure you know what you're doing, right?
No Fuss
Since you have already made the commitment to travel longterm and carry all of your possessions in a backpack slightly larger than a 3rd graders, why not make life just that extra bit easier?
No more bed-head means you can wake up and go start exploring whatever new city you are in that day.
No more hat-head means you can rock any hat you want and not worry about that awkward moment when you take it off inside and realize yes… everyone really is staring at that ugly dome of yours.
We've all been there...
No more fuss means you cannot mess it up! Go too short on the first buzz? Buzz it all that short and it will be back to where you want it in a week. Trust me, Meg did everything possible to scare the Chilean ladies away from me by holding the clippers upside down on the first pass and buzzing way too close… but no luck. You can’t wreck a buzz and I’m still dead sexy.
This was a terrifying start... but I hid it well.
Speaking of no fuss, don’t worry about getting stuck at customs because of your new look. Even those of you who used to have dreads should not have too much to worry about, but get a new passport photo if it calms your nerves.
Cheap
Getting a buzz is THE cheapest haircut in any barbershop around the world. But if you want to go even cheaper, pack your own pair of light travel clippers.
I bought a Remington MB200 and have had great results so far. The clippers and the charger take up minimal room in the bag and only cost $15 currently.
Bonus: Now that I no longer have a 9-5, I don’t have to look presentable for customers and can grow my manly beard out. This Remington Clipper is technically a beard and mustache trimmer and makes shaving a breeze. No more razor burn for this guy!
Freedom
Did you quit your job and leave behind friends and family to do something crazy like travel? Shaving your head is the physical manifestation of all that craziness you are feeling. There is a reason that whenever a character in a movie wants to start over, they shave their head. Right, G.I. Jane?
Yes. Before anyone comments... I do realize Demi looks tougher and more ripped than me with her buzz.
No Need For Shampoo
Seems minor… but trust me. Packing everything you need for one year into a 32 Liter backpack is tricky and you will need all of the room you can save.
Feels Good
Don’t overlook the pleasure factor. Your skin is thickest on your scalp, which means it has the most nerve endings.
You like head rubs?
Then you will love a shaved head. Just be careful to not rub your head in public too often… the face you make when you do it is going to be quite awkward.
Oh yeah... This guy knows whats up.
A Brief Word of Caution
That newly shaved scalp will fry in the sun!
For the first week or two, make sure you wear a hat more often than not as a burned scalp is uncomfortable. Remember all of those nerve endings?
I didn’t… So I had to buy this replica of Castro’s hat:
How to look cool in a foreign country: Point at yourself in front of a tourist attraction.
Happy shaving!
Hotness.
Mucho gracias
Still laughing but seriously you’re as handsome as ever. Now, do you reciprocate by shaving her hair?
I love her just the way she is… that Sinead O’Connor look is so 90’s.
I love that that hat is now being carried among your few most cherished possessions while you travel…
I burned my head so bad… I might have lost it to Meg though. She looks wayyy better in it than me and rocks it well.
I think it only fitting that Meg has a post at some point to discuss her hair priorities as she travels. If your RTW is going to be a year I have not seen too many women last a year without doing something to there hair. What is her plan? As guys our life is easy, shave it off
So far the hair situation for me has been good. There’s not much work to be done when you’re sexy by nature haha! Plus, we all know that Tony is more high-maintenance than me.
Meg would look awesome with dreads! Maybe not smell so good though…
I just shaved my head too, though for a much less cool reason. ProTip: Don’t ask your girlfriend to trim around your ears if she’s never done so. Gotta say, though, I like it!
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