Benefits of using a Swim Cap

Though no swim caps keeps the hair completely dry when swimming, swim caps do prevent excessive water from getting in between the cap and the head. This can reduce the amount of chlorine that contacts the hair. Swim caps keep hair out of the face, and help competitive swimmers get a little extra edge in speed by reducing drag around the head. For water exercise participants in outdoor pools, they can reduce sunburn on the head and ears. The crepe type swimcap with an inner ridge does the best job of reducing water infiltration.

Choosing a Swim Cap

Swim Cap materials:

Swim caps are commonly made of 3 materials; latex, silicone and lycra.

Latex swim caps are relatively inexpensive and often used for swimming as they are thin and easily replaced. They are not as durable as silicone caps.

Silicone swim caps are more durable and hold heat better in colder water, if that is your desire. They are less likely to pull at longer hair when putting on or taking off.

Lycra swim caps are very comfortable and durable. They are popular with water exercise participants that want to keep the hair away from the face during aerobic pool exercise. They do not pull. Lycra swim caps are made of the same material as is a lycra swimsuit. It is not as water resistant as latex or silicone.

A few swim caps are made with neoprene wet-suit type material for cold water swimming. These are popluar for cold water triathalon swimming.

Additional Swim Cap features:

AquaGear carries Swim Caps with ear pockets like the AquaSphere Aqua Glide, some with ridges to reduce water infiltration and some with chin straps like the Water Gear Crepe swim caps, and caps designed for cold water swimming such as the Barracuda Hot Head.

How to Wear a Swim Cap:

If you have long hair put it on top of your head in a bun, or put it in a ponytail and then put the ponytail on top of your head. Grabbing the swim cap with both hands, with your thumbs inside the swim cap, stretch the swim cap open. Looking down, position the top edge of the swim cap on the middle, top of the forehead. Then pulling against the forehead stretch the swim cap back over the head and ears and down below the hairline. Make sure you stretch it tight enough to get any air pockets out of the swim cap. Tuck any excess hair into the swim cap as you want a good seal around the entire cap to minimize water intrusion.