Choosing a swim cap - Triathlon Week

Robert G. · 12-22-2002, 10:37 PM

How should I choose a swim cap?
There are three types of caps: latex, silicone and lycra. Latex and silicone caps will keep your hair dry – lycra will not.

Latex caps (often called "rubber") are thin and rip easily, however, they are easy to replace since they are so inexpensive. You can also afford several and match them to different swimsuits. It's the traditional choice.

A silicone cap is thicker and more durable than latex, so it will last longer and rip less easily. Another plus is that it won’t pull your hair quite as much as latex. They also don't get as "stuck together" when you toss them in your workout bag!

A lycra cap is made of the same fabric as many swim suits. While it will not keep your hair dry, it will keep the hair away from your face and will not pull your hair. Since it is so soft it feels more comfortable if you are not used to wearing a cap.

loi5 · 02-18-2003, 04:31 AM

Silicon rather than latex. Lycra will cause drag cos it isn't water resistant, which means it is also more likely to move about when swimming. If its purely comfort you're after then use lycra - but if your gonna take swimming seriously then silicon is definitely the way to go

swim523 · 11-10-2003, 05:47 PM

latex caps are best because they're cheap and they actualy rip less often than silicone caps, andthey last forever if you put baby powder in them after each practice

wannatri · 09-13-2004, 09:25 PM

A few quick comments.

Latex is cheap. That's probably it's best characteristic. I usually use latex. I like them because they are thin and doesn't hold much heat. However, latex is harder to put on, it pulls your hair and tears more easily than.

Silicone is a bit more expensive. It's more comfortable and it's warmer. If the water's really cold, silicone works better as the "2nd" cap -- i.e., on top of a latex or over a neoprene "hot head."

I've never used a lycra cap, so I can't comment. However, very few "swimmers" use them, so I image there must be a reason.

One more thing about latex. Take a latex cap (one that you aren't ever going to use again). While in a pool, have you and a friend grap the cap making "4 corners." Hold tight and pull gently as you move the cap up and down through the water. The cap will get bigger and bigger. See if you can make the cap big enough for a 3rd friend to jump in ... latex is pretty amazing :) .

Zylo · 09-19-2004, 06:04 PM

Or Just Shave your Head :bannana: It's Free!

Seriously though, I never train with a swim cap, but that's because I'm a guy with very very short hair so it's never a problem.

I'm assuming this topic applies more to girls with long hair, which can cause problems during training?

In that case, I can comment that my sister uses Silicon because it's more comfortable and durable and easier to get on/off and doesn't stick to itself after a swim workout.

During the race we all have to use latex anyhow. At least in my series of triathlons we're given swim caps we have to wear. I don't know if it's like that everywhere else???

For training, I'd recommend Silicon.