Heat Loss and Your Head

Anyone who's read, or talked with others, about cold weather protective apparel has heard statements like: "You lose (take your pick – 20, 30, 50, 75%) of your heat from your head" or "If your feet are cold, put on a hat." Let's take a look at these "truisms." The surface area of your head makes up about 10% of the surface area of your body. So, those larger percentages of heat loss could only be true if they're referring to the heat loss from the unprotected head when the rest of the body is well insulated. Or as one source said, "If 75% of your heat loss really came from your head, you could take off your clothes, put on a beanie and be comfortable when it's cold outside!" Regardless of the percentage of heat we lose from our heads, we've probably all experienced the relief from the cold when we've pulled on a hat on a chilly day. We humans got short changed in the hair/fur department. We have to depend on adding clothing layers to protect us from the elements. We lose heat from any exposed or inadequately clothed part of our body.

Wearing the Sea Hood on an overcast day of paddling in the frigid waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, off the coast of Washington. © David Blue

A wool or synthetic stocking cap or beanie works well for insulating your noggin, as long as you can keep it dry. When they get wet, they lose a lot of their insulation value and you also get heat loss through evaporation.

Enter the NRS Mystery Helmet Liners, Sea Hood and Storm Hood. The 1-mm of neoprene gives you good insulation and the smooth Glideskin™ exterior beads off water to reduce evaporative cooling. They're the perfect boating head covering. Put yours on to keep from getting cold. If you're overheating, just take it off and stuff it in your PFD pocket. Every cold weather boater should have one when they hit the water!

Oh, and speaking of hair and fur, you beautifully bald folks aren't at much of a disadvantage over the fully haired. The hair on our heads doesn't provide much insulation. Animals that are adapted to the cold, like sled dogs and polar bears, have multiple types of hair, in dense layers, for insulation. Ever seen a Malamute shed its winter coat? It's wall-to-wall dog hair!

Boat Often & Boat Safe

Side Cut Helmet Liner Best worn under a helmet, leaves ears uncovered for maximum ability to hear.

NRS Mystery Helmet Liner - Full Cut Also best worn under a helmet. Covers the ears for more warmth, has vent holes to enhance hearing.

NRS Mystery Sea Hood Full ear coverage, with hearing vent holes. Chin strap, with side pinch buckle, let's you wear it with or without a helmet.

NRS Mystery Storm Hood The most coverage and warmest option. Balaclava-style covers the neck and meets up with a splash or dry top. Also has hearing vent holes.