Do You Wear a Swim Cap?

August 25, 2009

Swim caps aren't made for style, but they get the job done when it comes to keeping hair safe from chlorine and salt damage. There can be some f-u-n in these functional items (like a retro flowered version) but, for the most part, it's pretty standard fare. Do you don one when you hit the waves?

Source: Getty

Bella Poll Summer

34 Comments

suec 3 years 37 weeks

True about keeping the hair out of the water though, I swam the other day and had hair wrapped around my fingers, yuck

suec 3 years 37 weeks

The water always gets under it anyway, I love to swim deep under the water like a mermaid, its so freeing!

asmaj 3 years 38 weeks

uncomfortable? our kids won't take off the latest hats we've got for them (nammu). they are spandex and easily adjustable.

smiley13tree 3 years 38 weeks

They are SO uncomfortable.

smiley13tree 3 years 38 weeks

They are SO uncomfortable.

lydialee_home 3 years 38 weeks

Yes - I wear a cap all the time for my workout. Not for beach or having fun with my kids though.I like to wear the silicone one, but most of the tri and swim event rquired you to wear the one provided by them and is made of latex.

lydialee_home 3 years 38 weeks

Yes - I wear a cap all the time for my workout. Not for beach or having fun with my kids though. I like to wear the silicone one, but most of the tri and swim event rquired you to wear the one provided by them and is made of latex.

asmaj 3 years 38 weeks

discovered a bandanna type of a sun protective swimming hat and that works well now :)

3 years 38 weeks

I never wore a cap until I had a stint at a pool that required them, and I haven't gone back in the three years since. It does take some getting used to, but it's very freeing to have your hair entirely out of the way, and certainly does make wearing goggles easier. And I echo the sentiments of the user asking that people please wear a cap in lap pools as a courtesy to other swimmers. There's nothing worse than getting someone else's hair caught in your fingers while doing laps. . . except maybe getting it stuck on your face when you're trying to breathe!

runswimmerrun 3 years 38 weeks

I have been swimming competitivly for the last 17 years. If you're doing laps, in a pool, please wear a cap. Latex ones are cheap. It keeps hair out of the pool, which makes the water more pleasent for everyone. They won't keep your hair dry, but that's not what they are meant to do. It will keep your hair out of your face, out of the pool, and help you be more stream lined. BTW, jokes about the image are funny. :)

3 years 38 weeks

I though the main point was not keeping the water out og the hair, but the hair out of the water. I find it really gross when you can see people who don't wear them lose a lot of hair and it collects at the bottom of the swimming pool. Yuck!

Mme Hart 3 years 38 weeks

Swim caps are mandatory for all public swimming pools in Paris whether you are at the gym, swimming laps, doing aqua aerobics or playing with your kids. Mandatory. So, no choice on this really.

3 years 38 weeks

I've never worn one, but then again, I can't even remember the last time I was in a swimming pool...

bailaoragaditana 3 years 38 weeks

I swim 40-80 lengths (or more) most days, and I always wear my swim cap! It looks silly, especially with goggles, but it keeps my hair neat and out of my face/arms, so it's completely worth it.

hyzenthlay20 3 years 38 weeks

@citgirl, I use a silicone cap, which pulls less on my hair, but which also slips off my forehead as I swim sometimes. When my hair was longer I'd put it into a bun on the back of my head and then put the cap on, tucking up whatever fell out afterwards. Now my hair is shorter so I usually pull the cap on, and then twist and push the hair up under the cap. To answer the question, I wear a cap when I'm getting in the pool to swim, but not if I'm only fooling around. This weekend I'll be swimming the first leg of a team sprint triathlon (my first triathlon!), and I'll be wearing the cap that designates my group. I find it hard to get in a pool (or lake) and just play, though; I almost always find myself swimming at least the distance of a few lengths. If I'm not wearing a cap I go CRAZY! That's what competitive swimming for 12 years does to you :)

hyzenthlay20 3 years 38 weeks

@citgirl, I use a silicone cap, which pulls less on my hair, but which also slips off my forehead as I swim sometimes. When my hair was longer I'd put it into a bun on the back of my head and then put the cap on, tucking up whatever fell out afterwards. Now my hair is shorter so I usually pull the cap on, and then twist and push the hair up under the cap.To answer the question, I wear a cap when I'm getting in the pool to swim, but not if I'm only fooling around. This weekend I'll be swimming the first leg of a team sprint triathlon (my first triathlon!), and I'll be wearing the cap that designates my group. I find it hard to get in a pool (or lake) and just play, though; I almost always find myself swimming at least the distance of a few lengths. If I'm not wearing a cap I go CRAZY! That's what competitive swimming for 12 years does to you :)

citgirl 3 years 38 weeks

anyone know a good swim cap for long hair?

runningesq 3 years 38 weeks

Swim caps don't keep your hair DRY - they keep your hair from getting in your face. And yes, I always swim in one... if I'm training. ... if I'm hanging out in the pool/ at the ocean, then nope !

runningesq 3 years 38 weeks

Swim caps don't keep your hair DRY - they keep your hair from getting in your face.And yes, I always swim in one... if I'm training. ... if I'm hanging out in the pool/ at the ocean, then nope !

mediaddict000 3 years 38 weeks

I had a relaxer, so if I didn't feel like spending hours trying to fix my hair, then yeah, I did. If you wear a swim cap right, if will keep out the water.

misslilad 3 years 38 weeks

i wear one if i am swimming laps but not if i am just hanging out at the pool

pss 3 years 38 weeks

they are obligatory in the pool I go to. but never in the beach,I feel like wearing a condom on my head.

starspray 3 years 38 weeks

Lol swim caps aren't supposed to keep your hair perfectly dry! They're meant to keep hair out of your face and they provide better streamline so if care about how fast you're going, you would want to wear one. (It does actually help)