Our goal in this article is to help you find the best swim cap on the market based on a thorough review of what is available. Before we begin, let’s discuss why swimming caps are so important.
Is it possible to keep the hair dry with a swim cap?
Often, people assume swim caps are designed to keep their hair dry. Swim caps aren’t waterproof, so some water always gets into your head since they don’t create a seal against your head.
In order to keep your hair dry, you must always swim with your head above water, such as by swimming breaststroke.
Swim caps: why should you wear them?
It is still a good idea to wear a swim cap for several reasons. A swim cap consists of:
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Swimming pool chlorine damage can be prevented with this product.
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Prevent long hair from getting in the way.
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Warm your head in cold and open water (if you’re wearing a neoprene cap).
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Especially if there is a risk of collision with boats, surfers, or other swimmers in open water, it makes the swimmer more visible.
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It is mandatory in many swimming pools to keep the water filters from getting clogged with hair (bald people are exempt from this obligation).
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Swims a bit faster, which is crucial during competitions. Competitors even wear two swim caps at once: one to cover their hair, and another above the strap of their swim goggles to prevent the goggles from slipping off.
Rubber and latex swim caps
Historically, latex swim caps were made of rubber and have been around since the 1920s.
Despite their durability, competitive swimmers still prefer them because their tight fit gives them an advantage. Colours are always uniform.
Due to their ease of application and versatility, latex swim caps are often used in triathlons.
It protects the hair well from chlorine. Some people are allergic to latex, however, making them more difficult to wear and remove.
Wear a silicone swim cap
It is currently most popular to wear silicone swim caps. Swim caps made of silicone were developed to provide an alternative for people with latex allergies.
Various colours and patterns are available for silicone swim caps.
They provide good protection against water while remaining flexible enough to be easily put on and taken off. In contrast to latex caps, they are more likely to slip.
Swim caps are made of Lycra
There is no comparison between a Lycra swim cap and a latex or silicone swim cap in terms of comfort.
Their material matches your swimsuit, giving you a more uniform appearance. Their durability is also greater than that of silicone or latex.
While lycra swim caps are waterproof, they tend to slip a lot. As a result, they don’t protect hair well from chlorine.
Lycra caps can slip recurrently, which can be frustrating. Those who are serious about swimming should wear latex or silicone swim caps.
Caps made of Neoprene for swimming
The neoprene swim cap is made from the same material as surfers’ wetsuits and is suitable for cold water swimming.
Cold water can cause your head to lose a lot of heat, so swimming in it makes sense.
Other types of swim caps are thinner than neoprene swim caps.
They often have a dark colour (black), have seams, may be padded on the inside and have a distinctive smell. They are also more expensive.
Dimensions and shapes
There are several types and sizes of swim caps:
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Children’s swim caps that are smaller than regular ones. Your children will love these.
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Short haired adults can wear regular size swim caps. Because swim caps can stretch to fit most heads, they fit most types of heads.
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Caps for long-haired adults. They are usually an inch or two longer so that long hair is better trapped inside the swim cap. However, I wasn’t too happy with them when I had long hair a few years ago, as they tended to slip and let the hair out.
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There are swim caps called bubble caps. These are shaped more like helmets, and their surface is covered with small bubbles. Several years ago, I used these for long hair, and they covered well. There is, however, the possibility that these caps may not suit everyone’s taste.
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Various shapes and custom swim caps are available
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The shape of swim caps can also vary. Children (and their parents) like swimming caps with shark fins on the top, for example.
There are swim caps with straps that help them stay in place. A retro flower look is available on swim caps. It might not be the fastest swim, but you can look cute wearing them.
Swim caps from some manufacturers can be customized with the logo of your swim team. The best swim cap can also be chosen according to personal preference because there is a wide range of choices.
Colours
Swim caps are also mostly a personal choice when it comes to colour.
Swim caps in bright colours are recommended for open water swimming. Using this method, nearby boats and surfers can spot you and avoid colliding with you.
Swim cap care
It is not necessary to take special care of swim caps. Afterwards, rinse them thoroughly with fresh water and let them air dry, for example on a clothesline.
It is common for the walls of latex swim caps to stick together. After drying, coat the inside with some talcum powder before packing them into your swim bag.
Swim caps conclusion
The purpose of this article was to clarify some of the confusion that might be associated with swim caps.
You should have no problem choosing the right type of swim cap as soon as you are aware of the four different types of swim cap materials available.