Very Very long. My hair reaches below the small of my back. I wear it in a single braid down the back most days - no french braid as I don't want the ridge under my helmet. I also use elastic bands with no metal (cuts down on the split ends). Scrunchies won't hold my hair unless I wrap the scrunchie reallll tight. I don't have problems with humidity here like most of you do so the heat in the summer isn't an issue for me. Fly-away also isn't much of an issue, low humidity. I have had long, short and military buzz!! I Hate having anything that requires a lot of maintainence re: visits to the salon more than twice a year! So I've just let mine grow. My helmet does allow a ponytail which I've done a few times - braided the ponytail and slid it throught the "keepers" in the back but I thought it felt "restrictive" and don't do that anymore. If you dampen your hair when you braid it and then put your helmet on while the hair is still damp, it should keep the wisps inside the helmet. Plus it'll help keep your head cooler!