When looking for a new seasonal look, these summer haircuts for men are cool choices that combine function and style for a fresh feel. The most popular men’s summer hairstyles are generally low-maintenance, stylish and masculine looks that feature short sides with slightly longer hair on top. In the heat, cool short haircuts like the buzz cut, high and tight, comb over fade, modern quiff, side swept crew cut and textured brushed back undercut can offer the perfect balance between a fashionable look and staying comfortable.

If you want to transform your style, here are some of the best summer haircuts for men to try this year. From short to long, these timeless men’s hairstyles will keep you cool and clean-cut for the summer.

Cool Men’s Summer Haircuts

Buzz Cut

The buzz cut is a popular summer look that offers a short and uniform style to keep you cool during the blazing heat. To complement the buzzed hair on top, add a mid to high skin fade on the sides and back for a sharp contrast. To cut your hair at home, choose an all-over buzz haircut that’s easy to maintain.

Crew Cut

The crew cut is a stylish summer haircut for men who want a short, cool and low-maintenance look. While a military-inspired style, the modern crew cut comes with a fade or undercut on the sides and slightly longer hair on top to create a versatile, fuller look.

French Crop

A French crop is a trendy and charming style for guys who want to create effortless texture and flow in their locks. The traditional cut is mussed with a lightweight pomade for dimension, while the bangs are cut straight and styled forward to highlight features without overwhelming them. Rock your crop with a connected beard and faded sides for an edgy finish.

Textured Quiff

A textured quiff is a classic and timeless style that lets thick-haired guys showcase natural volume and length. You can create a dapper and laid-back look by brushing up your strands with a small amount of matte pomade. A clean-shaven style is handsome for professional settings, but a full beard and a high fade always look exceptional.

Comb Over Fade

A comb over fade is a timeless and masculine cut that can disguise receding temples and highlight strong facial features. Wear your cut with tapered sides for flattering contrast with the hair on top or embrace your wild side with bald sides for a daring look that will stand out.

Short Curly Hair

Short curly hair can be more difficult to manage than straight styles, but embracing your natural curls during the summer offers a cute and flexible look for younger guys. It’s worth using a curling cream or gel to neatly define your coils. You can then pair the volume on top with cropped sides for visual interest.

Messy Brush Up

A messy brush up combines long hair on top with cropped sides for a textured and refreshing summer style that looks effortlessly voluminous. The textured shape will flatter most face shapes and you can incorporate faded sides or an undercut for a youthful finish for a modern touch.

Slicked Back Undercut

A slicked back undercut is a sleek and sexy hairstyle for guys who want an attractive look for warmer summer nights. You should comb or pull the hair back with a strong pomade or gel to secure damp locks and create light volume. For a dramatic and bold look, experiment with an undercut fade, shaved lines or hair designs.

High and Tight Fade

A high and tight fade is a popular cut that pairs short, clipped sides with longer hair on top for a look that is clean-cut and masculine. A dramatic high or bald fade always looks eye-catching, while tapered sides and low fades can be jazzed up with a few voluminous spikes on top.

Long Surfer Hair

Long surfer hair can be a casually cool style for guys who want a low-maintenance and flowing look. Naturally popular with surfer guys, a surfer hairstyle is a fun and youthful choice that will look great on vacation in California, Australia or any beachy environment. Growing your hair to the right length will take time, but you can style this look with a light-hold matte pomade or a texturizing sea salt spray for a beachy, textured finish.

Brush Cut

A brush cut is a military style that combines a very short back and sides with minimal length on top for a cool and practical look that won’t require any styling. Not only can it hide a receding hairline, but your locks won’t get mussed or disturbed if you choose to wear a baseball cap at the beach.

Short Shaggy Hair

Short shaggy hair is an ideal choice for guys with natural curls, offering a youthful, versatile and refreshing style that’s perfect for the warmer months. Get the back and sides neatly cropped for a classic look with tons of contrast before adding flow to the length on top with a pomade or clay. For an edgy style, consider a bald fade that blends seamlessly into the scalp.

Bro Flow

A bro flow is a practical and rugged cut that works well for guys who don’t want to spend time styling their locks before enjoying the summer sun. You can leave your strands natural or tousled with a sea salt spray for a boyish and rugged appearance packed with volume. For a chic look, gently pull the hair backward using your fingers and a matte pomade for texture and light hold.

Blowout with Taper

A blowout with a taper is a classy and flattering hairstyle that combines volume on top with tapered sides that blend gradually into the back. Combining a voluminous top with a low taper allows guys to rock a conservative and professional look that transitions perfectly from the office to the beach.

Hard Side Part with Faded Sides

A hard side part with faded sides can allow you to create a textured and daring style that instantly draws the eye. The deep shaved part and faded sides bring visual interest and contrast to the longer hair on top. This haircut can then be brushed back with a matte pomade, wax or clay for lift and body.

Textured Brush Back

A textured brush back can be a sexy and fashionable summer hairstyle for men blessed with thick locks. To achieve a timeless look, ask your barber to cut tapered sides or a sleek fade before working a sweat-resistant styling product through the length on top for an all-day hold.

Cropped Caesar with Long Fringe

A cropped Caesar with a long fringe is a modern and sophisticated look that offers guys a youthful and blended finish. The sides are usually shaved or faded to contrast the length on top, but you can experiment with a tapered look for something more subtle.

Faux Hawk

A faux hawk is an excellent option for guys who want a bold and daring hairstyle that instantly commands attention. This trendy cut can be paired with tapered or faded sides for a masculine edge and rocked with a sleek line up or shaved lines to highlight chiseled features.

Side Swept Ivy League

A side-swept Ivy League is a low-maintenance cut that features a clipped back and sides for a clean-cut and cool look. Sweeping the hair to the side with a strong-hold pomade lets you add unbeatable volume to your locks. If you prefer a rugged and bohemian look, muss the front of your cut into a playful fringe.

Modern Mohawk Fade

A modern mohawk fade combines sexy tapered sides with a spiked top to create a daring style that’s surprisingly easy to work with. The fade slightly softens the traditional punk rocker look that usually features shaved sides, making it a great option for rebellious guys who want to retain a professional appearance.

Short Pompadour

A short pompadour is a classy and chic style that boasts impressive length and lift at the front of the head. The shorter length at the top removes a lot of styling time compared to longer cuts. You can achieve all-day hold with a medium-hold pomade, a comb and a light spritz of hairspray.

Ponytail

A ponytail is a simple and versatile summer look that never goes out of style. Depending on the heat and humidity where they live, guys can pull back long locks into an elegant high ponytail or flick it underneath a hair elastic for a modern and bohemian take on the classic man bun.

Short Spiky Hair Fade

A short spiky hair fade isn’t for the faint of heart, but this trendy and textured style can be a great way to keep hair away from the neck on warmer days. It’s a good idea to create striking contrast and dimension with a bald fade, but don’t be afraid to incorporate shaved lines and highlights for a result that turns heads. For next-level volume, use a small amount of hair powder at the roots.

Shaved Head

If you live in an extremely hot climate, a shaved head can be a suave and stylish way to keep cool. You can opt for a completely buzzed style with no facial hair if you have a strong jawline and handsome features. For something more forgiving, a small amount of stubble on the head paired with a light scruff on the chin and jaw can be extremely attractive.

Messy Quiff with Skin Fade

A messy quiff with a skin fade is an effortlessly cool summer haircut that will always look fashionable and fresh. You can choose a high, mid or low fade depending on how short you want your cut to look. The result should be a heavily textured style that can be easily brushed back and tousled with pomade or clay.

Classic Taper on the Sides and Back

A classic taper on the sides and back uses clippers to seamlessly blend all sections of the hair for a youthful and refreshing style. It’s worth keeping extra length on top for a laid-back and breezy look that can be slicked back or worn naturally. This polished style is equally flattering as a short cut.

Short Curly Afro

The short curly afro is a textured natural hairstyle for black men who want to show off their beautiful curls. To keep your afro looking slick and attractive, invest in high-quality moisturizing products that will strengthen your locks while adding shine and volume.

Waves

Waves are a classy and refreshing summer haircut for black men who want to incorporate texture and dimension into their style. You can get classic 360 waves with a sleek shape up and a full disconnected beard or a 180 cut with a high skin fade for a youthful vibe.

Popular Summer Haircuts For Men

The most popular summer haircuts for men are the crew cut fade, high and tight, textured French crop, short curls, flowing surfer style, waves, mini afro, comb over, messy quiff and slicked back undercut. These short to medium-length men’s hairstyles are cool, refreshing and generally low-maintenance looks that create the perfect vibe for the summer. For extra contrast, you can ask your barber for a low, mid or high bald fade on the sides and back that will blend the hair into the skin for a clean finish. From classic to modern choices, the hottest summer styles will help you maintain a stylish look while staying fresh in the heat.

When Rachel Selman got pregnant with her first child in 2017, she sought advice from multiple sources on safe forms of exercise. The 31-year-old physical therapist spoke to her doctor, and she reached out to friends who are personal trainers and physical therapists. To her frustration, everyone shared a different opinion.

In the end, the former college soccer player listened to her doctor, who advised her to keep her heart rate below 140 beats per minute, lift no more than 25 pounds and avoid core workouts so as not to aggravate any abdominal separation that can occur during pregnancy. That meant Selman, who prior to pregnancy went to the gym 4-5 times each week, couldn’t even lift a barbell or run because her heart rate would surpass the recommended limit. Instead, she did occasional light lifting.

“I lost so much endurance and [musculoskeletal and cardiovascular strength] that I had been working really hard for as someone who had been active,” Selman told Women’s Running, while explaining that body changes during pregnancy also proved difficult on her mental health.

Three weeks after giving birth, Selman started to feel recovered and eager for some physical activity. Again she asked her healthcare provider how to proceed. They advised her to listen to her body and avoid running through any pain, she said. So, for the first time in months, Selman set out for an easy 10-minute run around her neighborhood. “I felt fabulous during the run because my brain was lighting up,” she said. “Then I came back and I felt horrific, like my organs were falling out of my body.”

In a panic, the Charlotte, North Carolina mom of two started googling her symptoms and worried she had uterine prolapse, a condition that occurs when pelvic floor muscles and ligaments stretch and weaken until they no longer provide enough support for the uterus. Seeking some guidance, Selman reached out to a friend from physical therapy school who specializes in pelvic health. She put Selman’s fears at ease and advised her to scale back the activity level and instead focus on healing, which included a set of pelvic floor exercises. Over time and with consistent physical therapy, Selman started to feel better. The experience also prompted a big aha moment for the new mom.

“If you sprained your ankle, I wouldn’t put you in a boot and bedrest for six weeks and then tell you you can go do sprints. There’d be a workup,” Selman said. “It’s crazy that we do that with pregnancy postpartum because it’s a super long event. Your muscles go through a ton. There should be some kind of step-wise rehab protocol, the same way we have for other conditions.”

Inspired by her own difficult experience and with the help of clinical professionals and fellow moms, she created a protocol that covers the first trimester through 13 plus weeks postpartum. In October 2022, the researchers’ findings on maximizing recovery in the postpartum period were published in the International Journal of Sports & Physical Therapy. The first of its kind study shares a rehabilitation model that assesses the full spectrum of pregnancy to postpartum with safe exercise progressions aimed to reduce postpartum symptoms and optimize performance during moms’ return to exercise.

Related: Runner’s Guide to Pelvic Floor Pain

Normalizing Pelvic Floor Health

The conversation surrounding maternal health and wellbeing among athletes has been gaining significant traction in recent years. A handful of elite runners, including seven-time Olympic champion Allyson Felix and 800-meter Olympian Alysia Montaño, have created nonprofits that support athlete mothers and pushed for the addition of maternity protections in professional athlete contracts as more women seek to extend their careers postpartum.

RELATED: Two Years In &Mother Keeps Removing Barriers

Amid the progress and increased awareness, there’s also been a dire need for more research in areas of pelvic health. Selman hopes their study can be a stepping stone for healthcare providers and encourage patients to utilize physical therapists that specialize in pelvic health, a concept that isn’t considered standard practice today.

To help fellow moms avoid making similar mistakes based on little guidance and conflicting information, Selman shifted her career focus from sports medicine and orthopedics to pelvic health in 2018. She started treating pregnant and postpartum runners by helping them stay active, return to activity, and remain healthy throughout the child-bearing process. “It was mental rehab for me to help other people go through the same thing, but with better advice,” she said.

In doing this work, Selman was continuously reminded of how little information exists on safe activity and rehabilitation for pregnant and postpartum runners. The lack of clinical research on pregnant women in general has been referred to as an “overarching problem” that public health experts trace back to a precedent set by a pregnancy drug crisis in the 1950s, which ultimately led to tightened drug testing regulations that blocked pregnant women from most U.S. clinical research trials for decades, according to NPR.

While beginning her research, the only resource Selman could find was a set of postnatal running guidelines and recommendations published by three healthcare providers in 2019. As Selman pointed out, the guidelines share important insights, but the article isn’t peer-reviewed and doesn’t provide a week-by-week program for runners to follow.

The lack of research was the biggest hurdle Selman had to clear. To include a wide range of clinical knowledge and expertise, she partnered with specialists in obstetrics, gynecology, urology, and strength and conditioning, who contributed their insights to the study, which includes several focuses (cardiovascular, neuromuscular, strength training, and pelvic floor, for example) and recommendations for each stage of pregnancy and postpartum. Once the protocol was created, they conducted a case series that included six women who completed it. Throughout the process, Selman worked with the research participants to determine how they responded as they navigated the protocol. In the end, every mom experienced significant improvement in their strength, endurance, control, pain levels, function, and urinary symptoms. “They all saw pretty much full resolution by 12 to 16 weeks postpartum,” Selman said.

RELATED: Why Runners Need Pelvic Floor Therapy

The Power of Daily Goals and Progressions

The study begins by outlining the benefits of physical activity during pregnancy, which include a decreased risk of developing gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, hypertension, depression, and both prenatal and postpartum incontinence, among other conditions. It suggests cardiovascular activity, including running, is no longer limited to 140 beats per minute. Instead, it’s recommended that clinicians use a rate of perceived exertion scale (from levels 0-10) to assess moms’ activity during the first to third trimester, when they should aim for a light to moderate (1-4) cardiovascular effort.

Notably, the study also makes a case for safe exercises starting within the first two weeks of giving birth. The six-week postpartum check-in with the doctor is usually when moms receive medical clearance to return to physical activity, but often with little to no guidance on ways to navigate a safe return to exercise. The study suggests appropriate musculoskeletal interventions, including pelvic tilting and breathing exercises, clam shells, bridges, and a gradual walking buildup, among other exercises, can begin right after giving birth to help minimize postpartum symptoms.

When Joanna Wishart started seeing Selman for physical therapy at 28 weeks pregnant with her third child, she was suffering from severe pelvic pain. She also experienced urinary incontinence while sneezing and on her runs after her first two pregnancies. Prior to taking part in the study, Wishart considered dialing down her running goals, believing her postpartum symptoms were her new normal. But after completing the protocol, all of her symptoms went away and she felt better prepared in her return to exercise, she said. At 12 weeks postpartum, Wishart was able to do squats and lunges without peeing herself.

“I feel better now than I did after my second pregnancy,” Wishart told Women’s Running, explaining that she experienced debilitating lower back pain while carrying her second child. “I never thought I would say that. I thought my body was where it was and that’s what I got. I didn’t know there were professionals that can help you feel better and heal your body.”

Now the family nurse practitioner refers patients to Selman’s program and other physical therapists that specialize in pelvic health.

Providing Mental Health Benefits

Kelsey (requested her last name not be included because of her husband’s security role in the military) received a pelvic floor evaluation from Selman when she was 20 weeks pregnant with her second child. After having her son, Jack, she immediately started working on the return to running protocol.  Kelsey, who describes herself as smaller framed, had two 9-pound babies, which resulted in prolapse issues. “It was devastating because I didn’t know what was going on, what I was feeling, if I was ever going to feel normal again,” she told Women’s Running.

Selman’s own experience and expertise became crucial in Kelsey’s rehabilitation, which she navigated carefully given her challenging postpartum symptoms. Kelsey said they worked on breath work and biofeedback techniques, among other exercises, to help heal her pelvic floor muscles. Around four to five months postpartum, she was symptom free. She even completed Run Across Georgia, a 277.2-mile relay run across the state, when Jack was 6 months old.

Compared to her first pregnancy, which resulted in SI joint pain, Kelsey’s second pregnancy experience was “like night and day” thanks to the protocol, she said. It provided an outline to help ease her symptoms while making her feel safe and empowered in listening to her body’s cues. The protocol’s planning process and progression also provided key benefits to her mental health during a time that can feel isolating for many moms. “I was like Humpty Dumpty, and they put me back together again because all of that is tied into your worth,” she said.

At 13 weeks pregnant with her third baby, Kelsey said she’s looking forward to continuing the protocol and hopes more moms benefit from it. “Women cannot be dismissed for things that are not normal,” she said. “It’s not okay to pee yourself when you sneeze. It doesn’t have to be that way.”

Making the Program Accessible

Now Selman hopes the study acts as a springboard for more extensive research that includes bigger groups of participants who’ve had c-sections versus vaginal births, for example.

“Everything you publish is not going to work for a hundred percent of people a hundred percent of the time, but when we get this information out there, that’s the way we start improving the landscape,” she said.

The next step in Selman’s goal of standardizing the protocol is an app she and partners created called Stirrups to Sit-ups, which launched on the Fitr platform on January 25. The app provides daily exercises, movements, and tips throughout the pregnancy and postpartum journey in an effort to make the research more accessible, so more moms can move forward in a healthy way.

“There’s so many women who just never get back to that level of activity that they really enjoyed and were benefiting from,” Selman said. “Hopefully this bridges the gap for them.”