Hillary in KS Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 He's been swimming year-round for several years now, and has never wanted to wear a cap. But since he's been growing his hair out a bit, he needs one. What type should I get? Is it latex? Thanks! Hillary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katalaska Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Our kids' swim teams offer latex or silicone. Latex are cheap ($4) and silicone are more expensive ($13) but it seems the silicone are more popular. At our house we have latex allergy/sensitivity so we always choose silicone. My two little kids are using lycra right now because the silicone ones haven't come in for their team (and dd8 has sensory processing issues so even getting her to wear a cap is a big step...and someone told me that some kids wear lycra under silicone so we may try that before her first meet). The lycra ones are "slow" though...if you need speed in the water don't choose lycra! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in OH Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Since you do so much swimming, try one of each. We've used both, but my dd's (18, 16, 13) prefer latex. For some reason, the silicone caps slide off their heads and latex has better grip. Even though the latex caps rip pretty frequently, they're cheap. Our swim shop even sells caps with printing mistakes (team logos/names) for about $2.00 each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I like latex, dds like silicon. The silicon does slide off more easily (even with long hair) but some girls say the latex pulls their hair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalypso Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 My kids all vote for silicon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 No question at this house, silicon! Latex pulls their hair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H.S. Burrow Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Silicone in this house too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaylk in tx Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 my boys, even with very short hair, HATE the latex because it pulls even their stubby little bits of hair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annabanana1992 Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Silicone all the way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 I think the silicone perhaps holds up better over time in the water, too. I believe they are a little more expensive, but not too much so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Lycra caps hold hair in place, but if your ds is looking to "protect" his hair they don't do that. Hair gets wet under lycra just like skin gets wet under the swim suit. My dd used lycra when she was little because it pulled hair the least. Latex is the worst for pulling hair. Silicon is in between lycra and latex on the scale of hair pulling. However, silicon will last forever and lycra will stretch out. dd was extremely sensitive to hair pulls so lycra was the way we had to go. Most boys aren't into the hair care aspect. However, if you ds is he should get his hair wet with tap water before putting on the silicon cap. Although I don't do this some people put conditioner on too before putting on the cap. This seals out chlorinated water. I'm a lap swimmer. My hair is in good shape without the conditioner step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillary in KS Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 Thank you everyone! I think we'll try the silicone caps first! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Silicone here too!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nutmeg Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 We fought with latex for several lessons, then made the switch to silicone. Much, much better! Our pool sells the silicone ones for $8! REI and other sporting goods stores were $13+. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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