Do you struggle with keeping your hair manageable on summer runs? For a long time I just wore my hair in a regular ponytail and it would be a tangled mess by the time I finished my run. When I’ve had shorter hair with layers I find that it doesn’t all stay back very well. If you’re looking for some simple summer hairstyles for runners, give one of these a try! They’re easy, functional, and cute!
5 Simple Summer Hairstyles for Runners to Keep Hair Manageable
Ponytail with braid
This was my go-to summer hairstyle last year when my hair was really long. I would even add some coconut oil to keep it from getting tangled. You can do a high or low ponytail (depending on the length of your hair and what’s comfortable for you) and simply braid your hair.
You may also like: 7 Fun Ponytail Variations to Rock on Your Next Run
High bun
When my hair was longer I couldn’t run with it in a bun because it would get too heavy and get loose or fall out. Now that it’s shorter, this is the easiest way to keep my hair up when I run. I start by putting it into a ponytail, but as I am wrapping the hair tie around my hair I don’t pull my hair all the way through. Then I use a second hair tie to secure it. There’s many ways to do this, you just have to find what works for you!
Low ponytail or bun with a hat
If you like to wear a hat when you run, you can pull your hair into a low ponytail or bun so it an fit through the hole in the back of your hat. You could also do a low braid and then put on your hat. This is a great summer hairstyle for runners because it will also keep the sun out of your eyes.
Braid into a bun
This is a more complicated but fun hairstyle! There are many ways to do this. You can grab a section in the front of your hair, braid it, an then pull it back with the rest of your hair into a ponytail. You could also do two side braids, or a french braid across the top. It doesn’t need to look perfect! This is great if you have some layers in the front that could come loose if you pull it back into a regular ponytail and then wrap it into a bun.
Need help with French braiding your hair? Learn how to style your hair for races!
Ponytail with a headband
This is another great option for anyone with shorter hair or layers. Do any of the above hairstyles, and add a headband to hold everything back! It may also keep some of the sweat from dripping into your eyes, so that’s an added bonus!
Try these summer hairstyles for runners
There are so many simple and fun summer hairstyles for runners, and they don’t have to take more than a few seconds to do. The main goal should be functionality (does your hair stay in place throughout your run?) but a bonus is a cute look for your Instagram selfies!
You may also like:
Top 5 Hydration Tips for Summer Runs in the Heat
Best Tips for Running in the Dark
9 Tips for Running in the Rain
What’s your favorite summer hairstyle for running?
Do you ever try new hairstyles for your runs?
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I really like the braid into a ponytail style.
I always use a double ponytail and it’s not sufficient to keep the hair from getting knots when it’s raining. As it’s raining today I think I’ll finally try the braid. Thanks for the idea, Lisa!
I hope it works out for you! Coconut oil makes a huge difference for me when its raining or humid.
Mine is simple. Cap and a braid. Or a cap and a low bunny
My is so thick and unruly. It hates this humid weather too.
Glad you have a couple of simple options that work for you! This humid weather makes it so tough to keep our hair under control.
I’m the ponytail and headband runner. My hair likes to come loose out of the ponytail when I run. It’s not long enough for a braid but that would be fun!
I usually use a few hair ties to make sure my hair doesn’t come out. Sometimes it seems a little excessive but it works!
I have a hard time braiding my own hair. Looks super cute on you! I am either a high ponytail girl or low with a baseball cap
It can be tough! A regular braid is easy for me but a french braid gets much trickier.
I really appreciate this post! Unfortunately my hair has only two styles = one pony or two braids. I wish it weren’t quite as thick so I could do more with it!
That’s tough! At least you have a couple of options that you’ve found that work.
The “messy bun” is my go-to for most of my runs because it’s easy and adds a bit of style. Lately, I’ve been rocking the messy bun, but placing if off-center…kind of whimsical. If it’s rainy, or has the potential to be rainy, I do braids or my hair will be a knotted mess. I can’t stand the feeling of a ponytail flopping across my back, so the bun solves that issue for me. I was just thinking of doing one of my Talk To Me Tuesday videos on hair options…just haven’t gotten around to it yet.
Now that my hair is shorter I could do a ponytail without it getting too tangled, but its such a weird length that I don’t really like how it looks. The braid or bun seems to work better right now.
I love these ideas because I usually just do a boring old ponytail! It’s nice to have a few other ideas to switch things up!
Yes! Even though the bun is my go-to its nice to have some other options as well.
Maybe Rachel (previous commenter) can donate some of her hair to me- my problem is my hair is thin and fine (ugh) so it’s always just a ponytail for me. On the plus side, it doesn’t get in the way and bother me when I run. Recently it was a little too long and kept getting tangled in my hydration vest during long runs- a couple inches chopped off solved that problem, and now I feel it’s the perfect length!
Last year my hair was so long-I would have had the same problem so I braided it- but then it would practically hit me in the face. Its much easier to deal with now that its short!
It’s not even that my hair gets tangled. It’s that when it gets sweaty it slaps my back and tickles! It drives me crazy. I’ll do a French braid, bun, or just a high braid and that helps. I think pigtail braids look cute but not so much on me. 🙂
I don’t think I’d like the feeling of my sweaty hair on my back either! But it gets so tangled that I haven’t worn it in a low ponytail in a long time.
I’m all about the high messy bun. I wish I was better at braiding my own hair, but I’m awful at it, and braids tend to pull and annoy me when I’m engaging in activity. I’ll do space buns sometimes, and those are fun and keep my hair off my neck.
Oh the space bun idea is fun! My braids are pretty hit or miss. I can do a regular braid just fine but french braids are much harder.
A braided ponytail is my go-to! If I feel like spending the time, I’lll french braid it, but usually I just slap on a hat to keep the flyaways down.
That’s a great plan!