Splashing in the pool, eating barbecue, and wearing brightly colored swimsuits are what come to mind when I think of summertime. I desire to be the first person to jump into the pool during parties. Sadly, I often end up sitting at the edge of the pool with my feet in the water. Why? Not because I can’t swim or because I’m shy. For a lot of women, especially Black women, water is kryptonite to our hairstyles. Whether you have a fresh blowout, new highlights, a new bouncy roller set, waist-length boho braids, or the most amazing bob, water, especially chlorinated, is not our friend-at least for a few days. I spend a lot of money getting my hair professionally styled. Getting my hair wet would cause it to revert to its original state of chaos and disarray. Plus, snagging another hair appointment could take days or even weeks (insert scream!) to arrive-this is as terrifying as a person who wears extensions and can’t style their own hair well. See the dilemma? So, we made it our mission to find a swimming cap or bathing cap that actually keeps hair dry while in the water.
One that will allow me to, say, swim some laps before running errands and not have to attempt to style my hair afterward-a lofty goal, I know. Six Consumer Reports employees and I took the plunge to evaluate eight swim caps. I embarked on this journey not believing that any of these caps would work, and if one could keep your hair dry, would it be too painful or too ugly to wear? Only one worked in keeping my hair dry, and others had their merits, too. Camille Briggs (that’s me) is a CR freelancer with a bob cut, chemically relaxed, and colored hair (I add extensions for color and fullness). Dawn Yancy, a content operations associate at CR, has curly, fine hair that reaches the middle of her neck.
Long-hair friendly designs: what to look for
For those blessed with voluminous hair, wearing a regular silicone cap can be a real pain. They say: Big hair deserves big care. Give your volume-blessed hair the protection it deserves with our large swim cap made from 100% premium silicone. It’s strong, safe, and built with extra space - giving you the snug fit and tight seal you need to keep your long and voluminous hair dry and healthy through every demanding swim. Featuring a tight seal against the hairline that keeps the water out and your hair secure. We say: Soul Cap swim caps come in five generous sizes and even the ‘medium’ fitted our tester’s afro hair once it was tied up. In fact, our tester loved the fit of this cap, which was easy to get on and fitted well over her ears. “I have a large afro when its dry but I tie it up when I swim to protect it from chlorine. Soul Cap’s ‘medium’ size was generous and still felt nice and roomy. I felt elegant in it. That might seem odd but it’s the kind of cap I’d wear on a leisure swim and know it matched with my costume and I looked good.
They say: Made from premium 75g silicone, the Long Hair Swim Cap is designed for swimmers with longer hair, providing extra space for a comfortable fit. We say: This new long hair cap from Zone3 really delivered. Made with thick silicone, it was easy to get on. It had less give than the Zoggs or Soul Cap styles, meaning a snug fit that didn’t move an inch during pool training - great for competitive swimming. Braille-like bobbles around the edges also helped keep the cap in place. The shape allows for a bun, so if you wear your hair up when swimming the style will work for you.
“I was absolutely delighted with this swim cap. Zone3 always seem to deliver for me. Many swimmers tie their hair back to protect it from chlorine, and the shape of the Zone3 swimming cap allows for a bun or ponytail. It could have been an inch longer all round but that’s because I like to cover my ears with a cap when I swim.”
They say: For individuals with voluminous hair, managing or protecting their hair in the water can often be a barrier to swimming. The Long Hair Latex Cap was developed to overcome this challenge, increasing inclusivity in swimming by ensuring more people, regardless of their hair type, can experience the freedom, fun, and exhilaration of the water. The Zoggs Long Hair Latex Cap is designed for swimmers with voluminous hair, offering a comfortable and secure fit. We say: This one-size latex cap would suit swimmers with very long hair, dreads or long braids. However if, like our tester, you tend to tie your hair up when swimming then the opening of the cap might be too big and slip when swimming. The bright pink is highly visible. “The hat was too big for me, so it slipped a little when pool training, but if you have dreads or long braids then it might work really well. The shape of the swimming cap would suit people with fuller or afro hair, but less so if you tie your hair back.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Click here to subscribe to the magazine. Read more Outdoor Swimmer gear reviews. Main photo: Soul Cap.
Top picks for long hair and thick curls
Looking for the best swim cap for training and competition? TheMagic5 Silicone Swim Cap is a comfortable, slip-free cap that is cut for an ergonomic fit. Swimmers and readers will recognize TheMagic5 as a swim goggle company, with their custom-fit swim goggles exploding onto the swim scene in recent years. Made for adults and older kids, the caps come in five different colors and are a one-size fits all. The workouts have been completed, and it’s time to get up on the starting block and throw down on your personal best times. This is my go-to racing cap. I’ve purchased two since 2013 (I lost the first one when moving) and they have been excellent all the way through. The one thing I would note is that wearing a cap like this that is made of thicker silicone than your typical training silicone cap is that your head will get warmer much faster. Another note, similar to how you need to size down with competition suits this cap runs a little smaller than the sizing you would traditionally find in silicone and latex caps.
The Arena Domed 3D Ultra, has a similar look and feel to the competition caps listed previously. Keeps your hair out of your face. Having your hair slop down in front of your goggles, blinding you mid-length during the middle of your swim workout, is no one’s idea of a good time. Keeps hair out of the pool. A little talked about benefit of swim caps is that it keeps your hair from proliferating into the common water of the pool. More times than I can count I’ve seen a hairball come slowly flying at me through the water like an asteroid in space while swimming. Protects your hair from chlorine. Although your cap doesn’t keep your hair perfectly dry (unless you’re the head-up breaststroker type of swimmer), it does keep a majority of the chlorine-soaked water from coming into contact with your hair. Chlorine, being a solvent, is not overly awesome for hair (which is why you should also be using a good swimmer’s shampoo to fully rinse the chlorine out of your hairdo).
Making you a little more hydrodynamic in the water. This is most relevant to the competition swimmer-swim caps decrease a little bit of drag and resistance in the water. In the case of neoprene swim caps, which we review more fully here, they help keep your head nice and warm in cold water. What is the difference between latex vs. silicone caps are also more hydrodynamic because they have fewer wrinkles. These caps are also best suited for swimmers with long hair as they won’t tug or pull on your hair when putting them on. Silicone caps are sleeker and provide less friction. While nothing replaces proper supervision and swimming skills, a swim cap can increase safety by making swimmers easier to spot in the water. More experienced swimmers also reap the safety benefits of wearing a swim cap, particularly open water swimmers.
⭐ The Arena Classic Silicone Swim Cap is my top recommendation for a durable and comfortable swim cap for hitting the pool. ⭐ The Speedo Silicone Long Hair Swim Cap is the best option for swimmers with longer hair. Let’s talk about hair. Long hair, big hair, thick hair, braids, curls-you name it, swimmers have it. And when you’ve got serious volume up top, not just any swimming cap will cut it. Traditional race caps are built for speed, but not stretch. For swimmers with long or thick hair, especially kids or athletes who train daily, that means tearing through caps (and hair) more often than they should. Fortunately, brands have started to figure it out. Speedo continues to dominate as the cultural and competitive leader, blending elite performance with real-world function.
Note: SwimSwam is independently owned and operated. We are not owned by a nonprofit, governing body, or a retail company. 🥇 1. The Verdict: The gold standard. It’s the most balanced cap for long hair-streamlined, snug, and built to last through tough training blocks. 🥈 2. The Verdict: A high-end option that delivers. 🥉 3. The Verdict: The cap that sparked a movement. Ideal for inclusivity and long training days alike. 4. The Verdict: A strong all-around contender. 5. 6. The Verdict: Best for swimmers who keep their hair up top. 7. The Verdict: A solid blend of function and design. 8. 9. The Verdict: Budget-friendly with surprising performance. 10. 11. 12. The Verdict: Great for kids or cold water.
With the right long-hair friendly cap, you can enjoy pool time without sacrificing your hairstyle. A good cap reduces drag, protects against chlorine, and keeps hair securely tucked away, so you can focus on swimming and enjoying the moment.
⭕ Top 5 Best Swim Cap for Long Hair [Review and Guide]
In practice, the best choice depends on hair type and activity level: for casual leisure swims, a roomy silicone cap with a snug seal around the hairline works well; for training and competition with thick or braided hair, a larger-cap design like Soul Cap or Zone3 Long Hair Cap provides the needed space and secure fit. Silicone caps tend to be smoother and less prone to snagging, while latex caps can offer a tighter seal but may feel tighter and wear out faster with frequent use. For very cold water, neoprene options add warmth and comfort, though they behave differently in terms of hydrodynamics and fit.