From the ocean to the pool, keep your hair protected and dry with our top tested picks.

Credit:

Travel + Leisure

If you’re hopping in a pool, lake, or gearing up for an open-water swim, a swim cap is probably part of your accessory system and can be just as important as a good pair of swim goggles. Typically made from lycra, silicone, or latex, these form-fitting caps cover your hair (and sometimes ears) and help protect from salt water or harsh pool chemicals while enhancing efficiency in the water. 

I’ve been wearing swim caps since my high school swim team days, and still wear them during cross-training and winter laps at my local pool. I look for a form-fitting cap that doesn’t give me a pressure headache, but also doesn’t have extra material to create drag. I’d prefer my ears to be covered, and I definitely don’t want it to pull my hair. We tested a variety of swim caps this season, looking for fit, comfort, durability, and range of styles for different hair lengths and volumes. Whether you're looking to increase your speed or want to keep your hair dry at the hotel pool, these are the best swim caps we've tested.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Speedo Adult Solid Silicone Cap at Amazon $18 Jump to Review Best Latex: TYR Latex Swim Cap at Amazon $6 Jump to Review Best Value: Alepo Swim Caps with 3D Ear Protection at Amazon $14 Jump to Review Most Durable: Arena 3D Soft Cap at Amazon $29 Jump to Review Best For Long Hair: COPOZZ Extra Large Swim Cap at Amazon $15 Jump to Review Best Size Options: Soul Cap Large Swimming Cap at Amazon $22 Jump to Review Best for Cold Water: Synergy Neoprene Smoothskin Swim Hood at Amazon $20 Jump to Review Best Grip: SALE The Friendly Swede Long Hair Swim Caps at Amazon $18 $15 Jump to Review Best For Kids: Vorshape Kids Swim Cap at Amazon $10 Jump to Review

Best Overall

Speedo Adult Solid Silicone Cap

Credit: Amazon $18 $16 at Amazon $13 at Target View on Speedo.com Why We Love It

• This cap glides on and off smoothly, has great stretch without pressure points, and is incredibly durable.

What to Consider

• It isn’t quite long enough to cover our ears, and can push water into them.

This has been my go-to swim cap for the past few years, and I’ve been using the same model this entire time without any noticeable stretching, fading, or wear and tear. And I swim in a heavily chlorinated pool. I have long, fine hair that tangles easily, and I rarely have any issues with this cap when I take it off or put it on. It’s made with the same material on the inside and out, and the silicone is hefty without feeling too tight. 

It doesn't leave any red marks or pressure points and it stays in place despite not having grips on the edges. I’ve found this to be excellent for reducing drag, and while it’s not the most skintight model, it’s a great middle-ground between efficiency, comfort, and hair protection. The only thing I’d change is to make it a little longer: it hits right in the middle of my ears, and sometimes I feel like it’s funneling water into my ears instead of helping keep it out. 

The Details: One size (medium fit) | Silicone

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Best Latex

TYR Latex Swim Cap

Credit: Amazon $6 at Amazon $6 at Dicks Sporting Goods View on Walmart Why We Love It

• The latex is thin and light, with a tiny packed size.

What to Consider

• There isn’t a lot of space in this cap for high-volume hair.

Latex swim caps offer a thinner, lighter design and more flexibility. This cap fit smaller and tighter than others we tested, though we did have some trouble getting it on because of the more delicate materials. Once it was on though, it stayed in place well and we didn’t feel any hair pulling once we got it settled. We tested it at the beach and didn’t have any issue with sand sticking to the material, or salt water changing the feel of the material.

We recommend this mostly for close-cropped hair, as fitting longer hair or a bun under the cap would have been stretching the capacity limits. We didn’t find ourselves adjusting this for leaking or movement, and it did a good job keeping our hair dry. This is a great option for people looking for the most minimal swim cap for travel, or for anyone who has an issue with silicone and finds thicker material to feel too constricting. Just be aware that the latex construction likely won’t last as long as a silicone cap. 

The Details: One size (small fit) | Latex

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Best Value

Alepo Swim Caps with 3D Ear Protection

Credit: Amazon $14 at Amazon Why We Love It

• The molded ear cups and full coverage is protective and comfortable.

What to Consider

• The extra material at the top creates some drag.

One of my main concerns with swimming is my propensity for ear infections. While a swim cap won’t prevent water from getting in my ears, a cap that fully covers them is a good way to reduce the water streaming in. These affordable caps from Alepo were a surprise hit for me this season, with a generous size, comfortable fit, and full ear coverage with molded ear cups. The whole package was impressive, complete with two caps, two sets of ear plugs, and two nose plugs.

I used the ear plugs and the caps simultaneously and noticed a real difference in water getting in my ears. The Alepo cap is thinner than the other caps I’ve been wearing, but it makes it more comfortable for long periods of time. While this won’t be a performance cap for drag reduction, the two-pack is a great option for people looking for a full-coverage cap set at a reasonable price.

The Details: One size (large fit) | Silicone

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The Ultimate Costa Rica Packing List

Most Durable

Arena 3D Soft Cap

Credit: SwimOutlet.com $29 at Amazon View on Arenasport.com View on Swimoutlet.com Why We Love It

• The tight fit and thick material is tailored for speed.

What to Consider

• This cap fits very small and won’t work for people with long hair.

This heavy-duty swim cap is performance ready and fits tight enough to reduce drag in both pools and open water sessions. I tested this in a chlorinated pool and was impressed by the thickness of the material and how well it held its shape. It has a grippy interior and a matte exterior, and snaps into a close fit with zero wrinkles for excellent efficiency during endurance laps and speed work.

The single-piece construction showed no signs of wear and tear, and I noted no fading or splitting in the material. I did have some trouble getting a comfortable fit, and wouldn’t recommend it for people with larger heads or long hair. It is offered in three different sizes, and I’d recommend sizing up if you’re unsure of your most comfortable fit. 

The Details: Size M-XL | Silicone

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Best For Long Hair

COPOZZ Extra Large Swim Cap

Credit: Amazon $15 at Amazon View on Aliexpress.us Why We Love It

• The large size works well for higher-volume hair without pulling or snagging.

What to Consider

• The top has extra material and can balloon out in the water.

The thick rim around the edge of this swim cap helped keep it in place, but never felt too tight as to be uncomfortable. The interior of the cap is a textured silicone that helped grip our hair and keep the cap in place, and the outside has a smooth finish for less resistance in the water. This cap is quite large (as advertised) and we did feel like it ballooned out somewhat in the water, which makes it less efficient at reducing drag. 

Our scalp and hair stayed dry, but we did get some water in our ears, which is par for the course with a larger model like this. Overall, the build is durable and we haven’t noticed any wear and tear or fading during the testing process (even after wearing in a hot tub). It returned to its original shape after each use, and the generous fit made it comfortable for long-term wear. Lastly, this cap didn’t pull or drag our hair when we took it on and off, which is a nice change from more form-fitting caps. 

The Details: One size (large fit) | Silicone

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Best Size Options

Soul Cap Large Swimming Cap

Credit: Amazon $22 at Amazon View on Swimoutlet.com View on Soulcap.com Why We Love It

• The fit options and size chart are handy (and unusual in this category).

What to Consider

• It felt fairly tight on our faces, and moved around a bit while wearing.

This cap was easy to take on and off, and felt quite streamlined during our tests. There is very little airspace at the back of our heads, which was nice for a close fit and drag reduction. We followed the size guide and were happy with our choice, but the cap does fit tightly, and some people might find that uncomfortable. It also felt thinner than others we tested, but while we were concerned about snapping the material, we didn’t end up noticing major durability issues. 

Our main gripe was the shifting—despite the cap fitting tightly, it still moved around during our swim sessions and the edges of our hair got wet as a result. Overall, we were happy with how it didn’t pull or snag our hair, but if you’re aiming for full protection and to keep your hair totally dry, we suggest finding something that doesn’t shift at all. This cap is used while lounging or standing in a pool for relaxation as opposed to performance swimming.

The Details: M-XL (small fit) | Silicone

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The 13 Best Swim Goggles for Better Views Underwater

Best for Cold Water

Synergy Neoprene Smoothskin Swim Hood

Credit: Amazon $20 at Amazon View on Synergywetsuits.com Why We Love It

• The combined insulation and chin strap adds warmth and protection.

What to Consider

• This cap is fairly specialized for cold-water swimming and will feel like overkill in most pools.

Open water swimmers—or anyone hitting a chilly body of water—should look for something with a bit more heft and protection, and we were happy with Synergy’s popular neoprene model. The cap doesn’t snap into place instantly like the silicone caps we tested, but it was simple to put on and seemed to fit better during our second and third wear. The adjustable chin strap is also helpful for added coverage and security in rough surf.

The cap accommodated our hair well, and didn’t pull or feel too tight. The lining is insulated (which contributed to the stiff feel at first), but it didn't snag our hair, and the cap came off as easily as it went on. We tested this in both open water and in pools doing flip turns, and the cap stayed in place well and felt protective in the chilly Puget Sound as well as efficient for faster work indoors. If you opt for a more built-up cap like this, be aware that it won’t rebound as fast or retain its shape as well as the stretchier and simpler silicone models, but that’s the tradeoff for added protection. 

The Details: XS-L/XL (medium fit) | Neoprene and thermal lining

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Best Grip

The Friendly Swede Long Hair Swim Caps

Credit: Amazon $18 $15 at Amazon Why We Love It

• The fit is comfortable and secure, and the cap doesn’t slip out of place.

What to Consider

• These aren’t the most durable swim caps out there, one in our two-pack ripped when putting it on for the first time.

This grippy, secure swim cap is another fully silicone model that stretched well and didn’t pull our hair during testing. We wore a tight bun at the base of our neck and were happy with how the cap fit and provided coverage, and how little it shifted during long swim sessions. Similar to the Alepo caps, these have cups at the ears for comfort and ear protection, and the cap felt just right as far as tightness and fit. It never shifted or slid out of place, and aside from the baby hairs that we couldn’t get under the cap, our hair stayed entirely dry. 

The cap snapped right back into shape after wear, and dried quickly both indoors and outdoors after use. The inner and outer material is the same, which meant less snagging like some of the caps with slicker interiors. As far as durability goes, the material seemed thicker than others we tested, but we immediately ripped a chunk off one of the test models, which is a big ding for longevity (though we were grateful it came in a two-pack). We also tossed this into a beach bag after a swim and then had a tough time shaking the sand off of it, so we recommend packing in a protective case or dry bag.

The Details: One size (medium fit) | Silicone

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Best For Kids

Vorshape Kids Swim Cap

Credit: Amazon $10 at Amazon Why We Love It

• A comfortable fit and snag-free wear helped make this an easy-to-use option.

What to Consider

• The cap didn’t keep all of the hair dry as water seeped in under the edges.

Children’s swim caps aren’t just for little swim team participants. Caps can help provide ear coverage for kids prone to getting water in their ears (though it’s not a total preventative) and the right fitting cap will help keep hair detangled and dry. We were very impressed with the Vorshape cap, and it kept our kiddo’s long hair less of a tangled mess during lessons. 

The cap conformed well to the child’s head, and had a good amount of stretch for a close fit without leaving lines or pressure points. It didn’t feel too tight over her hairstyle, and it didn’t snag or pull when we took it off. It also required no adjustment once in the pool, which was a blessing in a chaotic environment. Her hair was a bit wet after use, so we could tell that water was getting underneath the edges, but it did a good job keeping the hair from getting tangled. The inside had a subtle ribbed texture that helped it stay in place, and overall we felt like it did its job—just don't expect the hair to be totally dry after use. It does come in two sizes with an age-range guide, which we also found helpful. 

The Details: Medium, Large (medium fit) | Silicone

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The 6 Best Swimsuit Brands, Tested and Reviewed

Our Testing Process

We tested a variety of swim caps everywhere from beaches to health clubs to determine the best options for performance, comfort, and keeping hair dry. Upon receiving each swim cap, we assessed the materials and checked the sizing, making sure that they matched the size charts provided by the brands.

After assessing the swim caps at home, we packed them to take to our favorite swim spots from gyms to hotel pools and even the beach. We put each cap on, testing for strength and flexibility. We were sure to shift them to make sure they were in the best spot for optimal performance and comfort. After ensuring they were on properly, we went swimming for at least 30 minutes to test how well they stayed put, prevented water from leaking in, and how well they helped performance.

After each swim session, we rinsed the swim caps in fresh water and allowed them to air dry. After drying, we reevaluated the materials, looking for stretching, fading, or any other damage caused by sun, chlorine, or salt water. We will continue to test these swim caps over the next six months, updating this article with additional insights.

Travel + Leisure

Tips for Buying a Swim Cap

Get the right size

Wearing the right size cap will help increase comfort and performance. Too tight and you’ll feel pressure points, too loose and you’ll feel drag. While most swim caps are one-size-fits-all, not all caps are sized the same. Even among the caps that did have a size range, the fit varied greatly. 

We suggest reading user reviews (or checking our notes for the fit) and opting for a small-fit cap if you don’t have much hair or a smaller head, and getting a larger fit if you have a bigger head or longer hair. Some caps are specifically made with a higher volume, and those models provide the best coverage for long or thick hair.

Think about your needs

Similar to sizing differences, there is a range of intended uses. Competitive swimmers will want a cap designed for performance and drag reduction. These will have a close fit with no extra material or wrinkles at the back of the head. Swimmers mostly looking to protect their hair on vacation should look for something with extra coverage, even if it means more material and a balloon-type feel in the water.

Look for durability

Exposure to the elements—whether it’s sand, salt water, chlorine, or the sun—can greatly reduce the lifespan of your swim cap. Look for a thick material made from just one piece of latex or silicone. If the cap has seams or a visible line of connection, make sure it doesn’t crack or split when stretched. Your swim cap should snap back to its original shape after each use, and keep an eye on fading and stretching after a full season of wear. Always rinse your cap with fresh water when you're done and store it fully dried, and out of direct sunlight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Maggie Slepian is a professional gear tester, testing hundreds of outdoor items each year, from hiking shoes to swimming gear. She is a former competitive swimmer who still swims several times a week for cross training, and wears a swim cap for efficiency and hair protection. For this piece, she tested three swim caps and utilized insights from Travel + Leisure testers.

I Go To the Beach Every Week, This Is Everything I Pack For Optimal Comfort and Relaxation

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Edited by Read More: