How to select best swimming cap for men & women

Swim caps are almost mandatory in all swimming pools in India. Adults going for lap swimming would need swim caps every day. Here you would know how to select swimming caps for men and women.

Swim caps are designed to protect hair from chlorine and saltwater damage, reduce drag while swimming, and keep hair tucked away and out of the way. It also keeps the swimming pool clean especially when many swimmers are sharing the pool throughout the day.

Best swim caps for women

Women who are new to swimming or are beginners should go ahead with Latex swim caps. They are thinner and are more comfortable. These are easily available in Decathlon and are quite inexpensive.

Pros

• Available at any of your nearest speedos
• Inexpensive
• Good for practice

Cons

• Doesn’t last very long, and may become thinner
• Tears easily after long use

Best swim caps for men

Swimming caps are not many to be 100% waterproof. If you wear the right way, your hair can remain somewhat dry.

What should you consider before you buy a swim cap?

It’s important to consider the following factors to ensure you select the best option for your needs:

1. Material: The type of material of the swim cap will affect its durability, comfort, and performance. Some common include silicone, latex, and lycra. If you are an advanced swimmer go for a silcone swim cap.
2. Hair type: If you have long hair, you should swim caps meant for long hair
3. Style: There are various styles and patterns available in the market. Check online to select your personal style. Most swim caps are unisex
4. Price: The price of swimming caps ranges from as low as ₹300 to ₹5000. It depends mainly on quality and performance.
5. Brand: Consider the reputation of the brand when buying swim caps for men and women. Established brands would definitely have more technically producing high-quality caps.

Special purpose swim caps

Best swim cap for cold water

These swim caps are meant to protect against cold, especially if you are into open water swimming and outdoor swimming. They are usually brightly colored for additional safety in open water.

Best swim cap for long hair

Pros

• All your hair can fit into this cap
• Molded for better fit
• Can be used for both competitions and practice

Cons

• Can sometimes be loose and come off while swimming

Swimming caps to protect the ear

Swim caps cover the ears and protect the ear to a large extent from exposure to chlorine water. Some swim caps are provided with pockets to reduce the pressure of water. You can also wear ear plugs or wear custom fit molds to protect the ear.

Swimming caps for open water

If you are swimming in open water, you might need to use swim caps given by the organizers themselves. This helps the organizers of the event to easily identify the swimmers in different categories. Most swimmers prefer to wear their own swim cap first, wear their swimming goggles and secure their goggles with a second swim cap given by the organizers.

Bubble silicone swim caps are also good for open-water swimming. The bubble design allows an added layer of insulation in cooler waters and the silicone allows extra stretch for larger heads or lots of hair.

How to wear a swimming cap

You can easily find a video online that shows how to wear a swim cap. The way you wear normally varies when you have long hair. You might need help sometimes from your friend if you are a swimmer with long hair to tuck the hair fully in. Also when you have a competition you can wear two swim caps of them, to nicely secure the swim goggles.

How to store swim caps?

Here are some tips to store your swim caps in a way that the caps last longer. These steps are even more important if you are not swimming regularly and you need to store them.

• After washing it is fresh water. let them dry. Store swim caps in a cool dark dry place, away from humidity and moisture, to prevent mold and mildew from forming.
• Do not keep it inside the car to dry under the hot sun after a swim. This will damage the material
• When storing the cap, keep it inside a plastic bag folded. Do not hang it. Also do not keep two swim caps together. They might get stuck to each other.
• You can sprinkle some powder between the folds so that it does not get stuck. Latex swim caps often get stuck if kept for some time.