Will this swim cap work and has anyone tried it?

[Paranda Belle]

I know there are lots of swimming threads, but I could not find any reviews of this swimming hat. It doesn't explicitly promise to keep your hair dry but the promo video says it does a good job. Has anyone used it or can more experienced swimmers see any flaws? It's about three times the price I was expecting to pay for a good cap so I want some lhc advice! How dry do you think hair stays in it when swimming properly ie backstroke and crawl instead of I-don't-want-to-get-my-hair-wet breast stroke, which ends up hurting my back.

http://www.myswimstuff.com/order.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtB_4c4FPLw&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Pre lhc I never went swimming that much but now I've been advised by my doctor to go swimming to help with a health problem. While swimming is making my body feel good, my hair hates it. I'm currently using a speedo long hair sillicone cap. It works, but not very well as my hair is still quite wet. I usually wash my hair every two weeks so don't really want to wash it after each swim.

[Anje]

I wouldn't swim in a normal pool wearing a neoprene cap. Far too warm. Even if it kept the water out, my hair would probably be soaked with sweat instead. For cold-water swimming (where you'd also want a wet suit), I understand they're quite nice.

Honestly, I'd say in most circumstances you're best off wetting your hair down in the shower before swimming, and wearing a silicone cap. Starting with your hair well wet will go a long way to preventing damage.

ETA: Oh, and be sure to squeeze the excess air out of your cap once you get it on. Air bubbles rolling around in there are weird and make the cap feel like it's going to pop off.

[Paranda Belle]

Thanks for that. I usually have no problems with the cap staying on, it's getting the hair to stay dryish. I don't really like getting my hair wet, and even though it sounds gross I would rather my hair be wet with sweat than wet with water!

[lapushka]

Maybe this review will help you. It's of a speedo cap especially for long hair:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czj4DOl6UO4&list=UUbECBbVpn-l9PHUA9nZYvTg&index=12&feature=plcp

[sun-kissed]

I will be watching this thread with interest, those caps look much comfier/safer than the silicone ones I've had to use traditionally.

[PrincessBob]

I have had a Speedo long hair cap and it just does not fit or stay on. I love to swim, but since giving up coney and sulfate-packed products, I've not gotten into the pool much, because it really wreaks havoc on my hair. I am very interested in this swim cap.

[Hairizona]

I have one of those caps for swimming...I cannot put my hair in a bun under the cap as she does b/c the cap does not fit right over the lump in the back and tends to gradually slip back on my head so that in the middle of laps I am constantly pulling on the cap to keep it from popping off my head. I found that the best coverage is putting the hair back in a non-metallic elastic at the back of the head, separating the hair into 2 strands, braid each strand and wrap around the head and pin in place, then put swim cap over the head. Of course, beforehand, I have to wet the hair and apply loads of conditioner b/c the pool water still gets under the cap. There is no fool-proof method to keeping chlorinated water out of your hair if you swim; you can only try to minimize the amount of water (damage) getting in IMO.

[sun-kissed]

I have one of those caps for swimming...I cannot put my hair in a bun under the cap as she does b/c the cap does not fit right over the lump in the back and tends to gradually slip back on my head so that in the middle of laps I am constantly pulling on the cap to keep it from popping off my head. I found that the best coverage is putting the hair back in a non-metallic elastic at the back of the head, separating the hair into 2 strands, braid each strand and wrap around the head and pin in place, then put swim cap over the head. Of course, beforehand, I have to wet the hair and apply loads of conditioner b/c the pool water still gets under the cap. There is no fool-proof method to keeping chlorinated water out of your hair if you swim; you can only try to minimize the amount of water (damage) getting in IMO.

So do you think it could work better at staying on and keeping water out for shorter hair of the same thickness, ie BSL or waist length? Is it comfortable, and would you say it's more or less long-hair friendly than normal, silicone swim caps? In the end, do you believe that it is worth it?

[Paranda Belle]

Maybe this review will help you. It's of a speedo cap especially for long hair:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czj4DOl6UO4&list=UUbECBbVpn-l9PHUA9nZYvTg&index=12&feature=plcp

That's the swim cap I currently own. But instead of doing a bun I do a braid high on my head, put it over my forehead and hold it between my teeth then pull the cap on. I tuck the braid under the cap towards the front of my head rather than the back. I find it stays dryish as long as I dont put my head underwater and don't do backstroke. As soon as I turn on my back that is when the water gets in. By tucking the braid at the front of the head, some of the length stays much drier than if it had been in a bun.

[Paranda Belle]

I have one of those caps for swimming...I cannot put my hair in a bun under the cap as she does b/c the cap does not fit right over the lump in the back and tends to gradually slip back on my head so that in the middle of laps I am constantly pulling on the cap to keep it from popping off my head. I found that the best coverage is putting the hair back in a non-metallic elastic at the back of the head, separating the hair into 2 strands, braid each strand and wrap around the head and pin in place, then put swim cap over the head. Of course, beforehand, I have to wet the hair and apply loads of conditioner b/c the pool water still gets under the cap. There is no fool-proof method to keeping chlorinated water out of your hair if you swim; you can only try to minimize the amount of water (damage) getting in IMO.

I think making the hair as flat as possible close to the scalp rather than putting it in a big sicky out bun is the way to go when using swim hats.

Do you think it's worth paying three times the price for this swim cap than a normal one? I just don't want to pay what amounts to one month's pool usage for a cap that may or may not protect my hair.

[Anje]

When I swam competitively (hair was a bit shorter than currently, though), what I typically did was braid my hair, then fold the braid up toward my forehead, then back again. It made a funny ridge under the swim cap, but that didn't matter much. Spreading the hair out a bit instead of putting it in one lump of a bun does help it all fit better.

I also recommend starting with a clean face (oily or moisturized skin tends to help the cap slide up your forehead) and getting someone else to help you get the cap on. Hold it near your eyebrows and have someone else stretch it to the nape of your neck. I can never get the things on as effectively when I'm on my own.

Finally, I greatly recommend getting some goggles, particularly those with split straps. Find something that fits your eye well, and adjust the straps so one is above the crown of your head and one is below it, over your swim cap. That will also help keep it on, and then you can swim properly with your head in the water. I hate trying to keep my eyes out -- very bad swimming form and it can give you a crick in the neck!