Get Streamlined: The Best Swim Caps
-
Nike Team Dome Swim Cap -
Aqua Sphere Aqua Glide Silicone Swim Cap -
Speedo Fastskin3 Swim Cap -
Speedo Aqua V Silicone Swim Cap -
Buyer's Guide
Although a swim cap appears to be a simple piece of swimming gear, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing the best swim cap. The swim cap you select should be based on how and where you plan to wear it. If you’re a competitive swimmer, you’ll want to find the best swim cap of 2022 that has a streamlined design for drag reduction. For recreational swimmers, a comfortable fit is most important for long periods of wear. These best swim caps were chosen because they’re made from durable, long-lasting materials and comfortably fit your head. Ready to hop in the pool with a new swim cap? Scroll on to read about our favorite products.
What is the Best Swim Cap of 2022?
Nike Team Dome Swim Cap - Best Swim Cap Overall
The Swift Dome Competition Cap made by Nike is a great pick for both recreational and competitive use. Made with silicone with varying degrees of flexibility, the Swift Dome is a one-size-fits-all swim cap that accommodates all head sizes. The opening of the cap has a band of silicone that’s more rigid than the rest of the cap, ensuring a tight seal while preventing leakage. The tighter band also ensures the cap remains wrinkle free and reduces drag in the water. The middle sections of the cap are much softer to allow it to fit easily over the rest of the head and ears. This combination of rigid and soft silicone allows the Nike Swift Dome Competition Cap to mold to any head size and still provide a secure and comfortable fit.
Aqua Sphere Aqua Glide Silicone Swim Cap - Runner Up
The Aqua Glide Silicone Swim Cap made by Aqua Sphere is designed for a comfortable and hydrodynamic fit. The Aqua Glide has a pocket on each side of the cap where your ears can fit comfortably without additional pressure. These pockets don’t just make the cap more comfortable than most, it also provides a better seal and keeps the cap in place while a thicker band of silicone around the opening of the swim cap adds to the secure seal. Made from hypoallergenic silicone, this swim cap will not stretch or distort even after years of exposure to UV rays or pool chemicals.
Speedo Fastskin3 Swim Cap - Honorable Mention
Leave it to Speedo to use body mapping technology to make one of the best swim caps available. The Fastskin3 Competition Swim Cap is a must have for any competitive swimmer thanks to unmatched drag reduction and superior fit. The cap fits snugly against the contours of the head and face to prevent leakage, making this cap one of the most comfortable performance swim caps out there.
For swimmers with longer hair, Speedo makes a hair management cap which easily fits underneath the Fastskin3 Competition Swim Cap to ensure the most comfortable fit possible. Whether you use this swim cap as a part of the complete Fastskin swimming system with goggles and swimsuit, or as a standalone piece of gear, the Fastskin Cap by Speedo will not disappoint.
Speedo Aqua V Silicone Swim Cap - Consider
As with many Speedo products, the Aqua V Silicone Swim Cap is designed with serious swimmers in mind. This swim cap will give you a noticeable reduction in drag when compared to other silicone swim caps, making it ideal for competitive swimming. The anatomical fit is comfortable around the base of the head and over the ears. The Aqua V Silicone Swim Cap is made from smooth, latex free silicone that won’t lose its elasticity even after years of use in the pool. This swim cap comes in two different sizes, small and large, that will fit most head sizes with relative ease.
Buyer's Guide
If you are not experienced in buying any of the best swim caps, you may feel any cap can get the job done. Many people believe all swim caps are tight, snug, and will get the job done. But there are many aspects which you ought to closely consider when you are buying this essential piece of equipment. Before you choose your cap, note that it is one thing that will have a significant impact on your performance.
What Makes Wearing a Swim Cap Vital?
Most people do not realize that swim caps are not primarily made to keep their heads dry. Here are a few reasons why you should buy a cap for swimming.
Ensures your hair doesn’t cover your face
You don't want to have your hair dropping down in front of your goggles because it can impair your vision while swimming. Your cap, therefore, serves as a proper hair management tool.
Protects the pool
One very much ignored benefit of the hair caps is that it helps to keep hair from entering the water. A hairball in the pool while swimming can be unpleasant, making the hair caps necessary.
It helps avoid chlorine contamination
Even though your cap may not precisely keep your hair dry, it does help keep ample chlorine-filled water from having direct contact with your hair. Chlorine is not exactly the best solvent for your hair, so a cap acts as a bit of a buffer.
It gives you a distinctive look in the water
Swim caps go beyond just giving you greater water dynamism and protecting the water and you. It also gives you style. The fitting cap, if adequately designed, separates you from the crowd while swimming. If in a competition, you will be easy to spot in the water if you're wearing a distinctive cap.
It helps you become more dynamic in water
This factor is most relevant to a swimmer involved in the competition as swim caps can help cut down some resistance and drag in the water. Domed caps help provide a unique and wrinkle-free cap experience which helps cut down your drag profile in the water.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing the Best Swim Cap
Here are some essential things you should consider before you buy a swimming cap.
Cap material
As far as buying a swim cap is concerned, the product material is a vital feature you need to consider. The most common materials you will find include latex, silicone, and spandex swim caps, but you may also find caps made of neoprene, rubber, and polyurethane. Silicone ranks as one of the most commonly used materials for making swimming caps and it is pretty durable.
· Nylon caps
Swimwear made from nylon is known to be stretchy and easy to use and put on. If you are concerned that body comfort and flexibility are your priority in the waters, you should go for nylon material.
Cap Design
The cap design aspect is one thing that depends on your preference. There are several possibilities regarding your swim cap design. Many of the options out there are simple, plain, and monochromatic, but you will find many colorful ones with stripes, flowers, and flags.
Sizing
Regarding the size of the cap, ensure you consider two distinct features: the length of your hair and the size of your head. You will find caps designed for different hair such as long hair, dreadlocks, curly hair, and others. Also, if you have been in a position where the cap cannot contain your hair, choose one that has extra space for hair in the upper compartment.
Brand reputation
Another essential factor you should never ignore is the brand reputation of the cap manufacturer. The easiest way to find out about the importance of the brand is by checking for online reviews from past and current customers.
Cost
While cost shouldn't be your top concern when buying a swimming cap, you should know that you get what you pay for. There are different price ranges for you regardless of your budget, but be aware that the more the cost, the better the quality.
Care Tips for Your Swim Cap
Just as it is with other things, you need to take proper care of your swim caps. A cap is a vital component of your equipment, and after all the tugging, pulling, and stretching, you can't expect them to last a lifetime. This is the reason why you must take proper care of them. After each swim session, ensure you rinse your cap using non-chlorinated water and then gently dry it using a towel. Also, you can sprinkle baby powder on the cap's inside to absorb moisture evenly. Finally, keep the cap far from sharp objects as they may damage the cap.
How Does Water Temperature Effect Swim Caps?
Have it at the back of your mind that neoprene and silicone help retain heat, although they are durable and highly recommended. If you find yourself swimming in water above 80 degrees, a neoprene cap could cause quick overheating. In such an instance, you may consider getting a latex cap.
Swim Cap FAQs
Q. What do I do if I want a swim cap that can cover my ears?
A. There are many swim caps designed to have some extra material near the ears so that you can cover them better. Some can even cover your ear fully instead of just tucking them in a bit. Search for swim caps with ear protection.
Q. What makes wearing swim caps important?
A. There are several reasons why this is important, and the first reason is that caps keep your hair contained and make you more streamlined. Also, the cap ensures that the goggles remain on. Swimmers usually put their caps on then their goggles, after which they may add one more cap so that the goggles do not budge.
Q. How can I get a decent cap?
A. Just as contained in the above buying guide, getting the perfect cap shouldn't be too difficult. Search online for reviews from customers and also ask for recommendations from friends, colleagues, and associates. We believe that the best swim caps in 2022 are readily available for you and we have listed them above, along with our review.
