I like wearing braids from time to time and don’t like getting them all soaked up when I go swimming. If you’re like me and love swimming, you probably understand the struggle of finding just the right swim cap.
My friends share the same sentiments as most of them have dreadlocks, afros, and weaves. We had to look for the best swim cap for black hair since we all wanted to keep water out of our hair during swimming.
My hair is natural and I found out early on the need to wear a good silicone swim cap to protect it.
I hate the effects chlorinated water has on it, especially after swimming frequently. It’s worse when my hair is dyed.
The thing is, for black people, swim caps are really helpful because they take care of their hair while they enjoy swimming.
For one, they help stop hair from getting tangled up in the water.
They also protect hair from the chemicals in the pool, like chlorine, which can be harsh and make hair dry and damaged.
Swim caps also make it easier for swimmers to move through the water by making them more streamlined, like a fish.
These caps also keep hairstyles like weaves and extensions in place.
So, it’s paramount for black people – who wear various beautiful hairstyles – to invest in a good swim cap.
Table of Contents
Best Swim Cap For Black Hair – Comparison Table
| Brand | Image | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Dread Empire Swim Cap |   | . Waterproof material . Easy to wear and take off . Doesn’t slip off |
| Dsane Swim Cap |   | . Durable . Latex-free . Accommodates large hair volume |
| Soul Cap Swim Cap |   | . Strong and flexible . BPA-free . Extra roomy |
| Happy Mane Swim Cap |   | . Comfortable . Durable . Quite roomy |
| Sargoby Swim Cap |   | . Keeps hair securely in place . Comfortable to wear . Durable |
| Lahtak Swim Cap |   | . Fits comfortably . Durable . Quite roomy |
Black Hair And Swim Caps
In the past, swim caps largely used to be made in a way that didn’t consider the different textures and styles of black hair.
These require different care compared to other types of hair.
However, things have been changing.
Swim caps designed specifically for black hair have been developed.
These new swim caps take into account the unique needs of black individuals, like leaving enough space for different hairstyles, reducing tension on the scalp, and protecting the hair from water damage.
Swim cap manufacturers are recognizing the need for diverse options that cater to the specific requirements of all individuals.
They are now offering a wider range of swim caps explicitly designed for black hair and embracing diversity in the swimming community.
Challenges Of Managing Black Hair In Water
Managing black hair in water presents unique challenges due to its texture and structure.
The tightly coiled or curly pattern of black hair can vary in size and shape, resulting in diverse natural hairstyles.
Black hair is characterized as thick, dense, and prone to shrinkage.
It is also more susceptible to frizz and dryness due to its unique ability to retain moisture.
Black hair typically possesses a higher number of cuticle layers, which are the outer protective layers of the hair.
However, these cuticles can be more fragile and prone to damage compared to other hair types.
Additionally, black hair tends to twist and tangle easily when it gets wet.
When we try to untangle wet hair, we need to be careful because it can break and get damaged easily.
Understanding these challenges is essential for effectively managing black hair in water.
Wearing swim caps that are made for black hair is one way to protect it from water and chemicals.
Considerations For Selecting Swim Caps
When you’re picking a swim cap for black hair, there are a few important things to think about.
The right swim cap can make swimming more enjoyable by keeping you comfortable, protecting your hair, and helping you swim better.
Here are some important things to remember when choosing a swim cap:
Purpose
When you think about wearing a swim cap, it’s important to know why you want to wear it.
Every swim cap has a special purpose, so you need to choose one that matches what you want it to do.
Do you want to keep your hair safe from water and chemicals?
Or do you want to swim faster when you’re in a race?
If you want to go really fast in the water, a cap that fits snugly and is smooth can help you swim better.
However, if you want to protect your hair and feel comfy, a cap with extra space for your hairstyle or made from a softer material might be better.
Size And Fit
Choosing the right size swim cap is really important for black people who may be sporting hairstyles such as braids, dreadlocks, weaves, or afros.
Swim caps come in different sizes – small, medium, and large.
Some brands might give you measurements or guides to help you find the perfect fit.
The swim cap should cover your whole head and stay on comfortably, not too tight or too loose.
You can try different sizes or look at size charts to find the best one for your head shape and the amount of hair you have.
Material Used
Swim caps are usually made of different materials like neoprene, silicone, latex, or lycra.
Each type of material used for swim caps has its own special qualities.
Neoprene swim caps can provide thermal insulation, helping to keep your head warm in colder water temperatures.
Silicone caps are strong, bendy, and really good at keeping water away.
Latex caps, on the other hand, are light and fit nicely on your head.
Lycra swim caps are soft and comfy to wear, but they may not keep water out as well as silicone or latex.
When choosing a swim cap, it’s important to consider your preferences and specific needs, such as material sensitivities or latex allergies.
Extra Features
Some swim caps have extra things that make them even better.
These special caps can do more than just cover your head.
For example, some caps are textured on the inside to help them stay in place and not slip off.
Others have stronger edges or a special shape to fit different hairstyles or protect your ears.
These extra features can make the swim cap more comfortable and useful for you.
Best Swim Cap For Black Hair
It’s important to get a good swim cap that covers all the hair and meets your hair protection needs.
If you have dreadlocks, braids, a big afro, extensions, weaves, or long hair, you may want to pick one of the following swim caps:
Dread Empire’s Extra Large Swim Cap
This is a swim cap that was designed with long dreadlocks in mind.
It’s extra-large and able to accommodate huge hair volume – like dreadlocks or afros.
The cap is made using 100% quality silicone that is very soft.
This makes it easy to put on the swim and remove it after swimming.
The material is waterproof, keeping most of the water away from your hair as you swim.
The cap is not only suitable for dreads and afros but also for braids, long hair, and weaves.
Anyone with a large volume of hair can wear this cap.
The cap is very durable, thanks to the thick silicone material.
This means it won’t tear and get damaged easily with frequent use.
Moreover, the swim cap is ideal for people who are allergic to latex.
The best way to wear the cap and ensure it remains on throughout your swimming session is to tie all your hair back before you wear it.
This prevents the cap from slipping off.
Pros
- The thick material makes it durable
- Large enough for big hair volume
- Made from waterproof material
- Easy to wear and remove
- Doesn’t slip off while swimming
Cons
- Not suitable for thin hair
Dsane Extra Large Swimming Cap
The Dsane Extra Large Swimming Cap is designed to fit extra-long hair perfectly without any discomfort.
It is much larger than most XL caps in the market, meaning if you have hair that is very long or thick, this is the swim cap for you.
It keeps your beautiful hair away from all the harmful chemicals in the swimming pool like chlorine that dries out your hair.
The cap is very roomy and the top flattens once you’re in the water.
The material used to make it is high-quality silicone that is waterproof, preventing water from coming into contact with your hair.
The cap is also thicker, which means it’s more durable and will serve you for a longer time than other caps that tear easily due to huge hair volume.
The process of slipping it on and off is quite easy.
You don’t have to worry about it snagging and tugging at your hair, which can be painful.
Pros
- Flexible material that stretches easily
- The material is thick, making the cap durable
- It’s waterproof
- Accommodates large hair volume
- It’s unisex
Soul Cap Silicone Cap
The Soul Cap is a special swim cap that has extra space for your hair to fit comfortably.
It’s great for people with long hair past their shoulders.
This means that individuals with hairstyles like dreadlocks, weaves, hair extensions, braids, curls, and afros can easily fit their hair into the cap without feeling too tight or uncomfortable.
The premium silicone material used in the cap acts as a protective barrier, to keep your hair healthy by protecting it from the chlorine in pools.
It also offers protection against salty water in water bodies such as oceans.
The cap is quite durable – it can withstand regular use without easily tearing or getting damaged.
Additionally, the cap is BPA-free, which means it is free from harmful chemicals often found in some products.
It’s important to note that Soul Cap is a black-owned swimming brand whose mission is to make swimming inclusive for everyone.
Pros
- Strong and flexible
- It’s extra roomy for big hair volumes
- BPA-free
- Comfortable to wear
- Less snag
Happy Mane Silicone Swim Cap
This Happy Mane swim cap is designed specifically for black women and those with long hair, offering several advantages for swimmers
The silicone material used in making this cap helps to keep your hair dry while swimming.
It is roomier, therefore allowing it to accommodate various hairstyles and sizes.
The stretchable silicone material ensures a comfortable and snug fit.
The waterproof nature of silicone helps the cap to provide protection against chlorine.
The swim cap is designed to be sturdy and reliable, thus lauded for its durability.
Finally, the cherry on top of the cake: This swim cap also comes with earplugs and a PVC storage bag as a bonus, which is useful for regular swimmers and helps keep everything organized.
Pros
- Quite roomy – accommodates various hairstyles
- It’s comfortable
- Durable
- BPA-free
Cons
- It may be loose for some users
Sargoby Fitness Swim Cap
This Sargoby Fitness swim cap is designed specifically for people who have dreadlocks, braids, or other bulky hairstyles.
It has enough room to fit your hair comfortably. You can even use it as a shower cap!
The cap is comfortable to wear – it’s not too tight around your head.
It’s also easy to put on and take off.
Just like all caps recommended in this post, this Sargoby swim cap is made of thicker and higher-quality silicone.
This means it’s stronger and more durable.
The thickness of the silicone also helps hold your hair inside the cap, so it won’t easily come out while you’re swimming.
Pros
- Enough room to fit bulky hair
- Available in two sizes (L & XL)
- Comfortable to wear
- Durable
- Keeps your hair securely in place
Cons
- Not suitable for thin hair
Lahtak Long Hair Swim Cap
This Lahtak swim cap is extra roomy in order to fit your hair comfortably.
It’s designed for people with very long and curly braids, afros, dreadlocks, weaves, and extensions.
The cap is not tight on your head, which means it won’t press your hair bun or ponytail against your head.
It slides onto your head gently and holds your hair nicely.
Worry not: It won’t slide off easily, either.
This swim cap is quite durable and is made to last a long time. It doesn’t easily tear.
Pros
- Large size accommodates bulky hairstyles
- Fits comfortably
- Durable
Cons
- Doesn’t keep your hair dry 100% of the time
Effects Of Chlorine On Black Hair
Chlorine tends to strip all the moisture and natural oils from the hair – leaving it dry and brittle.
The itchiness can also be unbearable.
Chlorinated water has a way of degrading the quality of weaves. Even with aftercare, it never really regains its beauty.
If you have an afro, the dryness that chlorine causes can result in brittle hair strands that are prone to breakage.
Who wants to suffer from the severe effects of chlorine damage after all the effort it takes to grow out a full, beautiful afro?
The other chlorine effect I’ve noticed is the smell it leaves on my hair. If you swim only once in a while, then this won’t be a big issue.
The same can’t be said for regular swimmers because the smell sticks to the exposed hair.
Salty water from the ocean and water from saltwater pools can also have some effect on your hair if you’re a regular swimmer but it’s not as adverse as that of a chlorinated pool.
A good swim cap can help in preventing these unwanted effects of chemicals found in pools and the salt in water bodies such as oceans.
Conclusion
The best swim caps for weaves, extensions, afros, long hair, dreadlocks, and waist-length braids are made using premium silicone material.
It’s not only waterproof but also flexible enough for you to slip on and off easily.
If you are looking for the best swim cap for black hair, have a look at the six that are listed in this post.
I find them quite roomy caps and the best option for bulky hairstyles.
All I have to do is tie my hair in a bun and slide a swim cap on.
These caps keep most of the water away from your hair.
This means that for the most part, the hair is protected from potential damage by chlorine or salty water.