Caps are great for swimming. Until your swim cap slides off in practice or during a race. Then it’s more of a hindrance and disappointment.
Trying to keep your swim cap on though is a challenge that almost every swimmer faces. There’s no one secret to keep it in place, but there are several options to keep it from falling off during your next swim.
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1. Wearing the Wrong Type of Cap
It sounds a bit ridiculous to say, but wearing the wrong cap can make your swim cap slide off.
Some caps, such as a lycra swim cap, aren’t the best when it comes to lap swimming. Or competitive swimming for that matter! Instead, they’re best suited for water aerobics, therapy, or even lessons.
An alternative to a lycra swim cap is latex or silicone caps. They offer a tighter fit on your head and are less likely to slide off.
Related article: Your Quick Guide to Swim Caps
However, we will note that some people can find a latex or silicone cap to be uncomfortable compared to a lycra one. If you prefer a lycra cap to the alternatives, you might have to put up with the cap sliding off at times.
That said, a silicone or latex cap can fall off, too. While some people favor a specific type of cap, they might find that a different type just fits better.
Lastly, you would think caps are the same size by brand, but they’re not! Some brands can vary in their size from another brand. If you’re having a hard time keeping your swim cap from sliding off, try looking at a different brand. You might be surprised at what you find!
2. Too Much Conditioner or Product
One of the biggest culprits of a slippery cap is too much conditioner in your hair. While this can vary by person, conditioner is by far the main reason your swim cap slides off.
However, we will note that for some people, it might be hair gel or even shampoo that makes it slippery.
To help prevent this, wet your hair and rinse out the product before you get into the pool. This will remove any product you might have in your hair still and can help keep your cap from falling off while you swim.
If it still slips around when you’re swimming, take off your cap and try rewetting your hair. Rinse out the inside of your cap, just in case any product is still on the cap itself. Once done, put your cap back on and see if it stays this time.
3. Moisturizer
Put moisturizer or lotion on your face? Be sure to wash it off before getting in the pool or your cap could fall off.
Lotion can make your skin slick depending on the type or brand you use. Because the cap rests on your forehead, even having a bit of slippery skin can make it slip.
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Wash your face and dry it off before putting on your cap if you use any moisturizer. This can help give the cap a better chance to grip the skin and stay put. No moisturizer or lotion also gives your goggles a better chance to stay on, too!
For me, I’ve found that a small amount of Oil of Olay doesn’t make my face too slippery in the water. Even if I forget to wash it off, it tends not to impact my cap or goggles. This does vary by person and you might have to try different moisturizers until you find one that works for you.
4. Incorrect Size
For some swimmers, the wrong size cap can cause the cap to fall off. This can happen if you have longer hair, as the bun might pull back on the material of the cap. If you have long hair, regardless of thickness, consider looking into a swim cap that’s designed for long hair.
These types of caps have a bit of extra material and stretch to help fit your hair better. And hopefully, help lessen the risk of the cap sliding off.
Your cap can also slide off if it doesn’t fit your head correctly.
Everyone has different sized heads. And while swim caps tend to fit most heads, some might find that their swim cap runs small or large. That said, if the cap feels too small, check that it’s not a youth cap.
While swim caps for kids tend to have much cuter and fun designs, they won’t fit the average adult head. And they usually don’t fit a teen’s head, either!
If the cap feels too large or loose, however, you could consider trying a kid’s swim cap.
5. Worn Incorrectly
It’s not easy to put on a cap. And even experienced swimmers can still ask a teammate or coach for assistance with putting on a cap. Because a well-placed cap is less likely to slide off than one worn incorrectly.
When wearing a cap, you’ll want to ensure that the seam goes down the center of your head, not side to side. If you’re uncertain, look for the logo. Most logos are on the side of the cap. You’ll want the logo facing either left or right when you put on your cap. Not in the front or back.
Related article: Your Ultimate Swim Cap Guide
You should also make sure that the cap covers the tops of your ears instead of bunching up around the top of them. Doing this will help prevent the water from rushing up into the cap when you swim. Which could cause it to slide off.
As a note, it’s okay if the cap doesn’t cover your ears completely. Each swimmer has a preference about how much their cap covers their ears. I like mine completely covered while my teammate likes hers covered halfway. It’s really your choice!
6. Hair Placement
If you pull your hair back before putting on a cap, you might find that placement of your ponytail or bun can cause your swim cap to slide off. Try experimenting with different placements of your bun and see if that helps.
Most swimmers have better luck with a lower placed bun than a higher one. Aim for either the back of your head or just a bit above your hairline.
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Already tried a low ponytail and still had your cap slide off? Try a higher placed one and see if that works better.
Keep in mind though that adjusting the placement of your bun can also affect your goggle straps. If you’re used to wearing the straps together, you might have to split them between the bun. Or vice versa.
Try a few different styles and placements. Some swimmers have better luck keeping on their cap with just a ponytail. While others need to flip it up into a bun.
7. Air Bubble
Once you put on your swim cap, check to make sure all the air is out. And that it fits snug against your scalp. Any small pockets of air can make a swim cap slide off when you’re swimming. Or even just from jumping/diving into the pool!
You can usually avoid this if you wet your cap so the material sticks better to your hair. Once your cap is on, press it down against your head so that it better molds to your head.
Yes, it sounds funny but it works! Watch Olympic or National level swimmers when they’re behind the blocks. You might see a few of them pressing down on their caps to ensure a good seal.
8. Bad Dive
If you have a bad dive into the pool, you might find that your cap can fall off. Or that it will eventually slip off. This can happen because air and water rush into the cap, and away it goes!
Your head position when you dive in can make a huge difference in keeping your cap on.
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Although chances are that if a dive alone can knock off your cap, there’s something else that helped it slide off. Check that you squished out all the air and that your hair isn’t slippery from any product.
A poorly fitted cap tends to fall off easier on a dive than one that’s well fitted.
As always, happy swimming!
-Chevron
Bonus Content:
6 Reasons Why You Should Wear a Swim Cap: Swim caps are a necessary evil and swimmers love to hate them. But why should you wear a swim cap and what’s the point of them?
Swimming Basics to Get You Started: If you just started to swim, you might feel that swimming can be overwhelming. Here are some swimming basics to help you feel more comfortable at the pool.
