How to Choose a Swim Cap
Swim caps make you more hydrodynamic in the water and are a great way to keep long hair out of your face while you swim. Choosing a swim cap is fairly straightforward and usually is influenced by what type of swimming you do, but there are a few considerations you should keep in mind when making a purchase.
Lap Swimming vs. Water Exercise
Lap swimming means head-down, face-in-the-water swimming, while water exercise can be anything from aqua jogging, to water therapy, to aqua aerobics. Water exercisers usually use caps to keep their hair out of their face and dry. Athletes doing water aerobics, aqua jogging, or other forms of gentle water exercise may want to wear a LYCRA™ swim cap. These are soft mesh material and will help keep hair out of their eyes without the tight, heat-retaining fit of traditional swim caps. Lap swimmers more commonly use caps to help them move through the water more efficiently and will prefer the hydrodynamic qualities of latex or silicone swim caps.
Practice vs. Racing vs. Open Water
Swim practice caps are made of latex or silicone. They're simple, inexpensive and quite similar from brand-to-brand, and are also commonly used during meets and competition. Modern racing caps are made of molded silicone, which provides a smoother surface and reduces drag during races. They are a bit more expensive than traditional swim caps.
Open water racers or swimmers may want to opt for a silicone or even a neoprene cap which provide a bit more insulation and floatation than latex caps (although latex caps are equally acceptable and widely used on open water swims). Open water swimmers should also consider buying a cap in a bright color to make it easier for officials and rescuers to spot them in the water.
Lots of Hair vs. No Hair
If you have medium to long hair, then a silicone cap will suit you best. Silicone caps outlast their latex counterpart, are more tear resistant, and don't tug at your hair. Typically softer to the touch, a silicone cap is gentler on the hair and easier to get on and off after a workout. Those with longer hair will need a snug fit to keep their cap from falling off. Silicone caps can provide a contoured fit for your personal head size while keeping everything in place.
If you have little or no hair, a latex cap will provide a better fit. Made of latex rubber, the latex cap tends to stretch more easily so they can be worn by virtually anyone. Regular-sized caps fit most swimmers with average head sizes. If an average-sized swim cap feels loose, try a junior or kids cap for a snugger fit. The cap should be tight enough to remain on your head throughout a race or workout, but not so tight that it leaves a line or begins to hurt your head. If you're worried your cap may not stay on, try a swim cap with a chin strap that comfortably holds your cap into place while you're swimming.
Pick What You Like Best
When it comes down to it, there are no strict rules about swimming headwear. Pick a cap that meets your needs, whether it comes down to comfort, insulation, or just the color. And since swim caps are quite inexpensive, it's a good idea to buy a few. That way you're sure to have one on hand in case one rips.
Also consider buying a fun cap! Many companies manufacture holiday-themed caps, caps with funny sayings, or caps with graphics. You can also purchase customized caps that feature names, nicknames, and logos for yourself or a team. A unique swim cap can make hopping in the water a lot more enjoyable, whether for practice or competition.
5 years ago.
5 years ago.
5 years ago.
6 years ago.
5 years ago.
Paul
5 years ago.
We suggest taking a look at the Sunday Afternoons Cruiser Hat (Unisex) as it will provide a UPF 50+ sun protection. If you have any questions, feel free to reach us anytime!
6 years ago.
Currently, I'm doing mild exercise and some lap swimming. I'm looking for a cap that would keep my hair from floating around, rather than 100% dry. I am currently returning a Speedo Silicone Bubble to another online shop. Locally purchased "large" caps all proved useless. Please advise!
5 years ago.
5 years ago.
Below is a link to our swim caps that come in a larger size that has extra room for longer thicker hair.
https://www.swimoutlet.com/long-hair-swim-caps-c9638/
We hope you find one that you like. Let us know if you have any other questions. Have a wonderful day!
5 years ago.
6 years ago.
6 years ago.
Below are links to some caps that should work for your kids. I hope you find one that works for them. Let us know if you have any other questions. Have a wonderful day!
https://www.swimoutlet.com/p/tyr-have-a-nice-day-silicone-cap-11415/?color=210
https://www.swimoutlet.com/p/speedo-latex-kids-swim-cap-1259/?color=9325
https://www.swimoutlet.com/p/tyr-solid-latex-junior-swim-cap-46552/?color=210
6 years ago.
6 years ago.
Have you tried either the Sporti Long Hair Silicone Swim Cap
https://www.swimoutlet.com/p/sporti-long-hair-silicone-swim-cap-7535890/
or the Speedo Silicone Aqua-V Large
https://www.swimoutlet.com/p/speedo-silicone-aqua-v-large-12665/?color=11590
Both caps are larger than normal caps for your extra hair. I hope either one of these works for you. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Have a wonderful day!
6 years ago.
I am looking for a swim cap for my 4 year old. She has been giving me a very hard time about getting her hair wet. I understand that no swim cap will keep her 100% dry, but she has long hair and I'm hoping that I can find one that will at least keep her MORE dry than with no swim cap. Could you please recommend one for me? Thanks
6 years ago.
6 years ago.
6 years ago.
There really isnt a cap out there that will keep 100% of the water out. However you may want to try an ear cap which covers the ears. Or a bubble cap with chin strap. Below are links to both. We hope that you find something that you like and works for you. Let us know if you have any questions. Have a great day!
https://www.swimoutlet.com/p/sporti-silicone-ear-cap-26593/
https://www.swimoutlet.com/p/sporti-bubble-cap-with-chin-strap-20738/?color=18342
6 years ago.
6 years ago.
You may want to see if she likes Lycra caps.Lycra is more of a cloth like material that tends to feel more comfortable for some customers. Below is a link to the Lycra caps that we have. I hope this works for her. Have a wonderful day!
https://www.swimoutlet.com/searchresults.asp?Search=lycra+caps+&checkRealSearchInput=Y#cat=&page=1&search=lycra_caps&sortby=Popularity&viewall=no
6 years ago.
6 years ago.
Since there is no cap invented yet that will keep your hair 100% dry, the closest possible thing to do is wear 2 caps. Some of our swimmers says that this works best for them to keep out most of the water. I hope this helps. Let us know if you have any other questions. Have a great day!
6 years ago.
6 years ago.
There is no swim cap out there that will keep your hair 100% dry. Some customers have tried using 2 caps to better block out the water, but we havent come across anything that will work to keep your hair completely dry. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Have a wonderful day!
7 years ago.
7 years ago.
7 years ago.
It sounds like those caps may have been too big. Have you tried the Speedo Racer Dome Silicone Cap or the Dolfin Dome Racing Cap? The links for both caps are below. If those do not work then I suggest you getting just a regular swim cap instead of a dome one. I hope this helps. Let us know if you have any other questions. Have a wonderful day!
https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/2884.htm?color=9325
https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/7534454.htm?color=9325
7 years ago.
7 years ago.
Most caps do not have specific sizes except they can come in kids and adult sizes. If its the latex one that it will have a stretch to it. he silicone one will not be as stretchy. If you have a lot of hair you may want to try the Speedo Long Hair Silicone Cap (link below) or the Speedo Silicone Stretch Fit Swim Cap
https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/3620.htm?color=9325
https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/3621.htm?color=9325
I hope one of these caps works for you. Let us know if you have any questions. Have a wonderful day!
7 years ago.
Thanks for all your help!!!
7 years ago.
Unfortunately they do not make any caps that keeps 100% of the water out but i have heard some customers double up on caps. Not sure how comfortable that would be if you have a lot of hair. We do have a couple caps (links below) that are slightly bigger for people with a lot of hair. I hope this information is helpful and you find something that works for your whole family.
Sporti Long Hair Silicone Swim Cap
https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/7535890.htm?color=9325
Speedo Silicone Aqua-V Large
https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/12665.htm?color=9325
Sporti Bubble Cap with Chin Strap
https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/20738.htm?color=10890
7 years ago.
7 years ago.
Thanks
7 years ago.
We have a couple caps that have chin straps. Below is a link to those. I hope you find one that you like. Let us know if you have any other questions. Have a wonderful day!
https://www.swimoutlet.com/Specialty_Swim_Caps_s/314.htm
7 years ago.
7 years ago.
If the one size fits all is not small enough, I would suggest trying a lycra cap or even a kids cap. Those would be smaller. I hope this helps. Let us know if you have any further questions. Have a wonderful day!
7 years ago.
7 years ago.
Most swim caps do not have sizes. She's at that age where she would fall between kids and adult caps. I would say if she doesnt have a lot of thick long hair then the kids caps would work for her. Below is a link:
https://www.swimoutlet.com/Kids_Swim_Caps_s/498.htm
Please let us know if you have any questions. Have a wonderful day!
7 years ago.
I like the swimpro lap swim suits. Do you sell a lap suit that has more coverage at the breast area?
7 years ago.
You may want to try applying vaseline around hairline and see if that helps. But if your whole scalp is red then you may want to avoid silicone caps. And with a possible allergic reaction to latex, your next best option would be lycra. Lycra is more of a cloth like material.
Our conservative suits have a higher neckline. Below are some links to some of these suits:
https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/22933.htm?color=26997
https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/44573.htm?color=210
7 years ago.
By the way, thanks for the detail and the comments, quite helpful.
7 years ago.
Has she tried the Speedo Silicone Aqua-V Large or the Speedo Long Hair Silicone Cap? Both are large swim caps for long hair. The links to the products are below. I hope this information is helpful. Let us know if you have any questions. Have a great day!
https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/12665.htm
https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/3620.htm
7 years ago.
7 years ago.
We have the Speedo Silicone Aqua-V Large and Speedo Long Hair Silicone Cap that works for long hair. Below are links to both:
https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/3620.htm
https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/12665.htm
I hope this information is helpful. Let us know if you have any questions. Have a wonderful day!
7 years ago.
Not impressed.
AB
7 years ago.
I sincerely apologize for the late reply and our availability of items shipping to Canada. We have restrictions from certain manufacturers on which items we can ship outside the US. I hope you were able to find something that you did like that we can ship to you. Please contact us again if you have any further questions. Have a wonderful day!
7 years ago.
7 years ago.
We have Lycra caps that are more cloth like and should allow the water to saturate. Below is a link to all our Lycra caps:
https://www.swimoutlet.com/Lycra_Swim_Caps_s/294.htm
Let us know if you have any questions. Have a great day!
7 years ago.
7 years ago.
7 years ago.
I am sorry to hear that you ripped your cap! I would recommend going with the Speedo Aqua V cap because its a bigger cap all around. The Speedo Long Hair cap is slightly bigger in the back for long hair. I hope the Aqua V cap works perfectly for you. Have a great day!