8 Best Swim Caps, Recommended by Olympians and Tested by Swimmers
If nine-time gold medalist Katie Ledecky likes a swim cap, you know it has to be good.
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As someone who grew up swimming competitively, I will always tout the health benefits of swimming and defend the sport as one of the best ways to be physically active. Swimming is excellent for both kids and adults, and once you find a pool, you only really need three pieces of equipment to get started: a swimsuit, goggles and swim cap. While you may not think a swim cap is all that important, it makes swimming a whole lot easier by keeping hair out of your face, reducing drag and adding a barrier between hair and chlorine. There are tons of swim caps to choose from, so we got to work narrowing down the selection for you.
Our top pick: World record holders and Olympic gold medalists Katie Ledecky and Bobby Finke both said they wear the TYR Wrinkle-Free Silicone Swim Cap to practice. This cap is thick, comfortable, durable and great for both leisurely laps or races.
To find the best swim caps, we tested popular brands like TYR and Speedo, spoke with professional swimmers and consulted experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles and Fitness Labs. Ahead, find the best swim caps for you or your kids to wear the next time you swim laps at your local pool.
Pros
- Soft feel
- Does not pull on hair
- Reduces drag in the water
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- Need to readjust it from time to time
Material: Silicone | Colors: 11
Who it's best for: Any swimmer will appreciate this cap for practice, racing or casual laps.
Why we love it: Not only did I prefer this TYR swim cap in my testing (which is a shocker, considering I'm a die-hard Speedo fan!), but Olympic gold medalists Katie Ledecky and Bobby Finke also told Good Housekeeping that they love it for practice. "I enjoy practicing in this cap because it provides a comfortable fit and helps protect my hair from harsh pool chemicals," Finke said. Silicone is a hypoallergenic, waterproof material, making it safe for your skin and protecting your hair as much as possible (although water still seeps in through the edges of almost every cap).
While this cap has the seal of approval from two of my favorite Olympians, we also found it to be a top performer in our tests. The silicone material gives it a soft feel and prevented my hair from ripping out when I removed the cap. I found that this cap stayed in place on my head better than my other swim caps, and I felt less water go into my ears as I swam.
Like most silicone caps, I found myself readjusting it from time to time, but it stayed in place without feeling too tight. Additionally, the wrinkle-free design made the cap feel smooth and snug against my head, which is more hydrodynamic, meaning it reduces drag and helps you glide more efficiently through the water (not that I'm trying to go super fast at my local gym!). "It really is a game changer for triathlons and competitive swimming," says GH Nutrition & Fitness Lab Director Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT, who has trained for multiple triathlons.
If you or your child are a competitive swimmer looking to take it to the next level, both Finke and Ledecky layer the TYR Tracer-X Racing Silicone Cap over a latex cap when competing. However, this silicone cap comes at a hefty price of $60. "The reason we race in these caps is due to the surface being slicker and smoother in the water than training caps," Finke said.
Katie Ledecky wore a TYR silicone swim cap at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where she added four more medals to her collection.
Pros
- Does not budge
- Layers well under a silicone cap for races
- Ribbed edges for a tight fit
- Budget friendly
Cons
- Can pull on hair
- Not as durable as silicone caps
Material: Latex | Colors: 14
Who it's best for: This $5 cap is ideal for a swimmer on a budget or looking to layer swim caps for races.
Why we love it: I have always avoided latex caps because they can rip out hair strands as I took the cap off (ouch!). However, when you pair a latex cap with a silicone cap, you'll get the best combo for races or long training sessions. Finke and Ledecky both wear a TYR latex cap as a first layer with an outer layer of the TYR Silicone Tracer-X Racing Swim Cap. "This is because the under cap helps keep the slicker dome cap on when you race, as well as smooths out the surface," Finke said, who also likes to layer a latex cap as a base for races because it provides more security if the top layer falls off. Ledecky added that the latex cap keeps her hair in place and provides a closer fit to her head when she layers the silicone cap over it.
The one con of silicone caps is that they can slip slightly on your head. On the other hand, latex caps barely budge (and this one has ribbed edges for an even better fit). "Typically, I'll wear a latex cap if I know I have a big distance-oriented practice [because] latex caps don't move as much with lots of flip turns," Ledecky shared. This cap comes at about $5, but you should expect to need to replace it sooner than a more durable silicone cap. Ledecky said her TYR latex swim caps are long-lasting, but I found myself ripping latex caps at one point or another.
Soul Cap Large Swim Cap for Long Hair
Pros
- Comes in four sizes
- Designed to fit long curly hair and protective hairstyles
- Made with silicone
- Extra space and volume
Cons
- Hair will still get a bit wet
Material: Silicone | Colors: 4
Who it's best for: Thick, curly hair and various hairstyles, such as dreadlocks, braids, and more, can fit into this cap, specifically designed for Black swimmers with extra space.
Why we love it: One of the many barriers to entry into swimming is hair — most swim caps are unfortunately not made with Black hair types in mind. That's why Soul Cap is a standout brand in the swimming industry: They created swim caps that stay snug on heads but comfortably fit long, thick curly hair (2a to 4c curls), dreadlocks, braids, twists and more protective hairstyles (read Soul Cap's story here).
This silicone cap is safe on skin, won't pull on strands and comes in four sizes (M–XXL). It also has a very tight seal along the hairline despite the extra volume in the cap, which helps keep water from reaching your hair. It's also extra durable and strong so that it can handle the weight of dreadlocks. Just keep in mind that the brand claims your hair will stay completely dry, but almost no cap is capable of keeping your hair entirely dry (swimmers on a Reddit thread discussed how their hair still got wet even when wearing it). Make sure to get the smallest size possible that fits your hair, as a tighter fit will help keep less water from getting into your cap.
Soul Cap also offers a regular swim cap, which works better for those with shorter curly hair. "Just love how my locs are fully covered and protected," one online reviewer wrote. "My whole life, I could never find a cap for Black hair, and this is it. Just love it!" There is also a Junior Swim Cap to fit kids' hair while staying snug on a smaller head. One online customer shared, "My daughter has very curly hair, and it's very big! We struggled to find a suitable cap for her in the stores. When it arrived, we couldn't wait to try it. My daughter now feels confident when swimming."
Speedo Silicone Long Hair Swim Cap
Pros
- Can fit long hair
- Does not pull at strands
- Great shape for practice and races
- Stayed in place during testing
Cons
- Won't comfortably fit thick curly hair
Material: Silicone | Colors: 5
Who it's best for: Those with long, straight or slightly wavy hair will appreciate the extra space in this cap.
Why we love it: While this cap doesn't offer as much volume as the Soul Cap, it's excellent for someone with long, straight hair. This cap is designed with extra space, allowing longer hair to be tucked in without the cap ripping or slipping up and off the head. It's also ideal if you don't wear your hair in a bun while swimming because you can easily tuck strands into this dome-shaped cap.
For context, I have straight, long hair that reaches halfway down my chest and is on the thinner side. This cap fits my hair perfectly and is more comfortable for swimming laps than my regular Speedo swim cap. Additionally, it stayed in place well and kept water out of my ears more effectively.
If your hair is straight or only slightly wavy but incredibly long (reaching past the chest and down to your hips), then I recommend the TYR Long Hair Silicone Swim Cap. This cap has a different shape to fit a larger bun from long hair, which was a bit too much space for me.
Pros
- Tons of colors and fun designs
- Small size suited for kids' heads
- Thick and durable, according to online reviewers
Cons
- Kids may need help putting it on
Material: Silicone | Colors: 34
Who it's best for: Young kids will love the fun designs on these smaller swim caps from Sporti.
Why we love it: Little kids have little heads — so their caps need to be little, too. The Sporti Silicone Swim Cap for Kids is designed to fit snugly on children's heads, allowing them to swim comfortably. It's made of silicone so that it won't pull on their hair, and it comes with a variety of fun designs, including a ladybug, a shark, and a bucket of popcorn.
Sporti offers solid colors without designs, but this adorable fish will make a kid excited to jump into a cold pool. Plus, it's always recommended for kids to be in bright suits so that you and lifeguards can easily spot them in case of an emergency, so why not choose a bright color for a cap, too? If adults want a fun design, check out Sporti's Adult Caps (I know I'll be getting the cupcake swim cap).
Sporti is another popular brand among swimmers, but I see it especially prominent among kids. "My daughter is African American and a toddler. This swim cap keeps most of her hair dry (about 95% of the time), which I think is very good," one online reviewer on Amazon said. Other online reviewers noted that the cap feels thick and durable, but this also made it a bit challenging for young swimmers to put on the cap by themselves. Lend them a hand, and your little fish will be in the water in no time.
Arena Classic Silicone Swim Cap
Pros
- Easy for kids to get on and off
- Tons of colors
- Reinforced edge
- Smooth and comfortable
Cons
- Can be too small for adults
Material: Silicone | Colors: 20
Who it's best for: Older kids who need a great cap for practice and meets will like this cap.
Why we love it: Arena is another brand that many professional and competitive swimmers wear (I used to have an Arena cap!). A GH editor's son is on a swim team, and all the kids wear this swim cap. He loves it because "it's easy to take on and off." It's another silicone cap, so it's stretchy, durable, gentler on hair and comfortable to wear. Tons of five-star reviews on Amazon rave about how great this cap is for their kids. "My kid loves wearing this for the swimming team, three times a week," one customer wrote. Plus, there are 20 fun colors for kids to choose from.
This cap is a bit tighter and smaller than other adult caps — many online reviews mentioned that it was too tight and small for their heads, and one adult male wrote, "It's a painful fight to get it on." So, while it's not necessarily labeled as a kid cap, it's a great option for older kids, tweens and teens.
Pros
- Soft and gentle on hair
- Will not pull on strands
- Keeps hair off your face
Cons
- Not hydrodynamic
- Does not protect hair against chlorine as well as other caps
Material: Lycra (elastane and spandex) | Colors: 6
Who it's best for: Those looking for a cap to keep hair out of your face.
Why we love it: Lycra caps are the least hydrodynamic compared to latex and silicone caps, and they offer the least amount of protection from chlorine and water, so it's not a great pick for someone swimming for a decent amount of time throughout the week. However, this cap can feel more comfortable, soft and flexible for a casual swimmer. While silicone caps are better at not ripping strands of hair out as you take the cap off than latex caps, lycra caps are, by far, the gentlest on your hair (so it's a bummer that so much chlorinated water seeps through the fabric).
I do not recommend a lycra swim cap as a first choice, and almost every swimmer will agree. However, if you are set on getting a fabric cap and no amount of convincing will sway you otherwise, this is the one to get. TYR makes a great lycra cap that comes in multiple colors and has excellent ratings on Amazon. "This swim cap is so comfortable that I usually forget that I am wearing one after an hour in the lap pool," one customer wrote.
This cap can also serve as a base layer for swimming, but it won't keep the outer cap in place as well as a latex cap. Additionally, tight-fitting silicone caps can sometimes cause a headache after a long swim, so this is a great option if you prefer something less constricting on your forehead.
How we chose the best swim caps
Our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute test all sorts of fitness gear and swimming gear, including swimming goggles and one-piece bathing suits.
To see what swim caps professionals are wearing, I spoke to Katie Ledecky and Bobby Finke (pictured swimming the butterfly). Both of these professional swimmers are Olympians with multiple gold medals and world records. They have extensive experience with swim caps and in the pool (Finke says he spends four hours or more a day in the water!).
I also personally tested some swim caps in the pool, read through numerous online reviews, checked out what people were saying on Reddit and spoke with fellow swimmers and parents of swimmers.
I swim more than 2,000 yards about three times per week, but I was a competitive swimmer for eight years. I drew upon my experience wearing different swim caps over the years and tested out some new ones in the past few months. I took note of how well each cap stayed in place while I swam and whether the cap pulled on strands as I removed it. I also evaluated each cap's comfort, thickness, size, durability and appearance.
How to choose the best swim cap for you
The swim cap that you wear will ultimately come down to personal preference. Many swim caps are quite similar once you find a brand and material you like the best
Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping:
✔️ Material: Swim caps mainly come in three types of materials: silicone, latex, and lycra. Understanding the different materials can help you choose what's right for you.
- Silicone: This synthetic rubber-like polymer creates a stretchy, soft, smooth, and comfortable swimming cap. Silicone caps are smoother, thicker, more durable and gentler on hair than latex caps, but they tend to slide up more easily on your head. Olympic swimmers Finke and Ledecky both use silicone caps in practice and for races.
- Latex: Made from rubber, latex swim caps are incredibly stretchy. Both Finke and Ledecky said they wear latex caps under silicone caps when racing because they stay in place the best and work well as an underlayer to a silicone cap. Latex caps are typically cheaper, wrinkle more easily and tug at hair more harshly, but they stay in place on your head better than silicone caps.
- Lycra: Made of spandex and elastane, lycra caps are a softer fabric material. This material is not hydrodynamic and your hair will quickly get wet in the pool, but it will not rip any hair out and is a gentle option for casual swimmers.
✔️ Fit: It's crucial for a swim cap to fit correctly so that it stays in place and all of your hair is contained within. Most brands offer a regular cap or a long hair cap for each type of material. The Soul Cap offers multiple sizes and provides the most space for voluminous hairstyles. Consider the length, thickness and texture of your hair so that you can pick a swim cap that will fit all of your hair but stay snug on your head. Young swimmers can opt for a kid-sized cap as well.
✔️ Color: While the color of a swim cap may not be the most essential feature, it's a fun one to consider. I prefer darker colors for my swim caps, but it's ideal for younger kids to wear bright colors when swimming, especially if they're new to the sport. Caregivers, lifeguards and swim coaches will be able to spot a bright-colored swim cap better than a swimsuit, so if they need help in the pool, it will come in handy.
Do I need a swim cap to swim laps?
Technically, you do not need a swim cap to swim laps. However, I strongly recommend swimming with a cap if your hair is any longer than a pixie cut because it keeps hair out of your face.
Even if you do not care about being more hydrodynamic with a cap on, it is much more comfortable to swim with your hair tucked into a cap than to have loose strands. Whenever I try to swim in my pool in the backyard with my hair in a ponytail or bun, my hair gets in my face, blocks my vision and feels weird swishing around.
Additionally, wearing a swim cap is more hygienic, as it prevents hair from clogging drains and shedding into the water.
Will swim caps keep my hair completely dry?
No, swim caps will not keep your hair completely dry. Some brands claim that their caps will keep your hair entirely dry, but you will almost certainly come out of the pool with your hair at least a little damp. Water can seep in through the edges of your cap, but silicone and latex caps are slightly better at keeping water out.
The tighter-fitting the cap is around your head, the better it will be at keeping water out. You can also try double layering your caps as a second line of defense, but if you're spending a decent amount of time in the pool, you should expect it to get anywhere from damp to soaking wet, even with a cap on.
How else can I protect hair from chlorine?
Some people suggest wetting your hair first, then coating it in conditioner or a hair mask before putting a swim cap on your head to help protect strands from chlorine. Finke and Ledecky say they don't do anything special to their hair before getting into the water. "Most products or methods cause the caps to slip off during practice," Finke says.
I agree: The TYR Silicone Cap slid off much more easily, and I had to readjust it a few times while swimming when I tried these methods. However, if you don't mind pulling your cap down from time to time and you want to add some moisture to your hair, try the above method before your next training session.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Isabella Cavallo is the assistant commerce editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute and has experience testing and reviewing all sorts of athletic gear, including running vests and fitness trackers. She was a competitive swimmer for eight years and recently picked the sport back up, swimming around 2,000 yards three days per week in 2025.
To gain more insight on the best swim caps, Cavallo tapped Team USA to discover what caps professional swimmers wear, love and recommend. World record holders and Olympic gold medalists Katie Ledecky and Bobby Finke both shared their thoughts about which caps they wear to practice, races and how they wear their caps.
Cavallo also consulted the GH Institute Nutrition and Fitness Lab Director, Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT. Sassos oversees fitness gear testing and for this story, she provided her experience with different swim cap brands when training for triathlons.
Isabella (she/her) covers commerce and product-related content in the home, lifestyle, fitness, technology and beauty. She graduated from Binghamton University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in English: Literature & Rhetoric. Before joining GH, she was an editorial assistant at Prevention, where she covered health topics and celebrity news.
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