swimcaps

I have tried latex and silicone caps and always end up with a h...of a headache:( So now I use lycra caps - they fit really snug when they are fairly new. They probably wear out faster than the other - but the comfort is great and they stay on. I keep my goggles on the outside and since I started to use goggles with a double strap, I haven't lost them on the start.:cool:

That's funny, I have the opposite problem. I've been hit in the head enough times, the cap isn't large enough to comfortable cover the lumps on my skull. :cool: I usually wear my goggles over, to help keep the cap on. If for some reason my goggles leak, it is no problem to chuck them during a race. I think most people wear the goggles under.

Some caps are manufactured smaller and less stretchy than others. I find that Speedo brand latex caps are usually the tightest. Silicone caps and less expensive latex caps used commonly for imprinting are usually a little larger. Personally, I find that it doesn't really hurt my performance to wear a cap that is slightly rolled up or folded over, as long is it's wet, put on over wet hair, and pulled tightly over the head. Personally, I wear the goggle strap under the cap rather than on the outside. I haven't lost my goggles once on a dive start using this method. Bill

I'm with Bill, Speedo have the best caps around, though the silicone caps last a little longer and have a tighter hold, I still prefer good old $4 latex caps. And yes, do make sure your hair is wet, and the cap is wet, before you put it on, that will help keep your cap from slipping.....I had teammates who swore by dry hair and powdered caps, but they always seemed to have trouble getting the cap to stay on before they got in the water. Keep it simple, don't worry about the powder, lol. As for goggles, I usually just keep mine on the outside, because I have this annoying nervous habit of adjusting my goggles until they fit juuusssst right, and it's easier if I keep them on the outside.....my goggles, however, have a double strap, not a split or a single, so I have less trouble with losing my goggles on a start.

I saw shots of Michael Phelps folding up the bottom of his swim cap several times during the Olympics.

There seemed to be about a 50-50 split between swimmers in the olympics who wore the goggles over the cap as opposed to under. I wear a cap, and I put the goggles over the cap. FYI, my personal reason for wearing a cap is that I dont feel the water running through my hair (I have a buzz haircut) and also that it pins my ears back, and I just like that "feel" better.

I am looking for a comfortabale swim cap. A cap that goes on easily and does not have to be "tight". Should I try silicone, latex or lycra?

this summer was the first time I ever swam with a cap. Love them. I have a big head and any cap fits really well.

I wear my goggles inside my cap because the straps on my goggles don't seem to stay in place when I dive off the blocks. These are plastic straps. The other type of straps don't move at all.

Originally posted by Gil I am looking for a comfortabale swim cap. A cap that goes on easily and does not have to be "tight". Should I try silicone, latex or lycra? I know this is late but I think the thread is worthwhile. I use a silicone cap w/my goggles worn over the cap. I prefer Barracuda to Speedo and Speedo to TYR - but that's just me... I've thought about trying a lycra cap but haven't really seen many reviews...