If we want to wear a beard, we can justify it. If we want to wear leather or cloth, we can justify whichever we want, based on a general review of all the evidence. What we need to do is NOT look at the evidence for justification of what we already want to do, but look at that evidence that pertains to our own personal portrayal. Some folks may have worn beards, some time. We need to not stop there, but look at those people who match the type of person we are trying to recreate.
Opinions do count.
Again, from my reading, I have found that some shaved and some didn't. During the winter months, most didn't due to the cold and the fact that the whiskers protected their faces somewhat. Many kept the whiskers, just trimming them shorter in the summer. And on the other hand, many shaved cleanly during the late spring and summer, and at Ronnyvous, and allowed the beards to grow with the coming of winter. So when hunting, I opt not to shave for a while before I go, and while I am out hunting.