swimming caps... pros and cons?

Jim In europe, you have to b/c of sanitation. here, it is optional. some pros: keep your hair out of your face. if you have a lot of hair, it will keep it from being a drag-increaser. Smooth out your head and make it real hydrodynamic. more vain pros: with a cool print, etc., you can show your personality, represent your team, etc. cons: can be anoying sometimes. it gets hot under there.

I have long hair so there's no way I can swim without a cap--gets too distracting! I prefer the silicone caps b/c they go one more easily and while they aren't obviously complete protection, I think they limit the chlorine exposure my hair gets. On occasions when I've gone without a cap, I've noticed a difference in the texture of my hair. But if you're very, very shorthaired, that's probably not an issue.

I've swam in several pools around Europe, including The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium, and never had to wear a cap. While I was in Japan, many pools there (but not one I sometimes went to) required caps for everyone, no matter how short your hair (even bald). Strangely, you also couldn't wrap a towel around your waist, since there was no way to know if you actually had something on underneath. Other than the forced usage, I've tried to wear caps a few times, but just could not find any that fit comfortably. I've heard wearing a cap can cut down on drag (similar to shaving down). I usually keep my hair fairly short so it doesn't get in the way.

uhhh... why are silicone caps obviously not complete protection? i'm new at all this. my hair is approaching shoulder length.

uhhh... why are silicone caps obviously not complete protection? i'm new at all this. my hair is approaching shoulder length. Actually I'm not sure any cap is complete protection--my hair still gets a little wet whatever cap I use (not that it matters a lot to me), but the very thing that makes silicone caps easy to put on, sometimes makes them slip a little so that they don't completely cover my hair. But since they're more comfortable, I figure it's worth it.

I for one would never purposely pick the lane next to the noodlers and do fly ... man, you should see the death stares I get, only makes me swim more of it faster .... hehehe ... I don't understand why you would get mad YOU ARE IN A POOL you will get WET! GR! If you wet your hair first your hair won't take in the chlorine because it is already saturated with healtier water ... it's a good idea especially if you color or highlight your hair, I'm too lazy except for the week after I get highlights ....

For racing caps add streamling. Also for racing,if you put them on dry they keep your hair relatively dry which means it takes slightly less effort to breath on fly and ***. Every little bit helps.:banana:

Hmm My highlights are barely visible now from all the chlorine... The chlorine and sun put the blonde highlights in my hair. Looks better than some of the guys that pay big money to have it done.

Jim In europe, you have to b/c of sanitation. here, it is optional. some pros: keep your hair out of your face. if you have a lot of hair, it will keep it from being a drag-increaser. Smooth out your head and make it real hydrodynamic. more vain pros: with a cool print, etc., you can show your personality, represent your team, etc. cons: can be anoying sometimes. it gets hot under there. Hence why the UK is not a real part of Europe...because of swimming cap rules! :joker:

Wet you hair thorughly anyhow before you swim. It's a myth that swim caps are there to kee your hair dry. Only old ladies doing "stiff neck and traps" breaststroke actually keep their hair dry....unless someone has the audacity to swim fly in the lane next to them lol