songsparrow Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I signed my girls up at the local YMCA so they can go to the youth swims. They're required to wear swim caps. The last swim caps we got were really tight and not that stretchy, so difficult to get on and off and uncomfortable. I'd rather get something stretchy and more comfortable. I'm not trying to keep their hair dry, just want to comply with the rule. What's the best type of cap to get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songsparrow Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share Posted February 18, 2013 Never mind - after reading reviews on Amazon, I learned that silicone or latex caps are the kind that pull the hair and squeeze your head. Instead, I ordered lycra caps, which the reviewers said do not do that (although they also won't keep your hair dry). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 The swimmers say that silicone pulls their hair less. They also come in sizes (child & regular). I don't know any swimmers who like the Lycra caps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 This is mainly about personal preference, but around here the silicone caps are the most popular. A lot of the problems with pulling of hair can be fixed by taking them off underwater and putting them on when the hair is wet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zimom Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 My girls like the Lycra caps. They prefer silicone for meets since they are tighter,but Lycra for day to day practice for comfort. You can find some cute lycra caps on Etsy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songsparrow Posted February 19, 2013 Author Share Posted February 19, 2013 Etsy - I never would have thought of looking there! We'll try out the caps and see how they work, and then maybe look for some more fun or funky ones on Etsy in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anotherbrother Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Latex caps are horrible. Silicone is definitely the way to go. They won't pull so much if you know how to put them on properly. Maybe there's a video on YouTube? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 I prefer silicone over anythingelse. Silicone does not pull my hair. However, I could see some hair pull with a small child. When dd was little avoiding hair pull was paramount so she wore lycra caps. Lycra never pulls hair. If your girls stay with swimming they will probably switch to silicone in another year or so, but lycra is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raindrops Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Definitely silicone. They last longer, too. The easiest way to put the cap on is to wait 'til you get in the pool, go underwater to wet your hair and put hair on top of your head, fill the cap inside out with pool water, and put it on your head. It will go on nearly perfectly, without the struggle and ripping hair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 I like lycra. But I have found that I have a large. It's the only thing with enough stretch so I don't end up with a headache after swimming. But like I said, my head is large. Most "one size fits all" hats don't fit my head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stayseeliz Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 My kids hate silicone caps. They say they are too thick. They like the cheap Speedo latex caps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 The easiest way to put the cap on is to wait 'til you get in the pool, go underwater to wet your hair and put hair on top of your head, fill the cap inside out with pool water, and put it on your head. It will go on nearly perfectly, without the struggle and ripping hair. Around here, putting them on seems to have become a two-man job: The person you're putting it onto holds it in place in front, and the friend pulls it up and over the huge bun they all seem to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 My daughter prefers the silicone caps-in particular the caps made specifically for long hair. She often braids her hair before putting it on to keep everthing under control. (Rather than the huge bun which falls out on her every time. As a pp stated the latex caps seem to be a two-man job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.