A swim cap, or bathing cap, is a silicone, latex or lycra cap worn on the head by recreational and competitive swimmers.
Caps are worn to keep the hair relatively dry or free of chlorinated water, and keep water out of the ears when worn with ear plugs. Some facilities require the wearing of swim caps, as they are used to protect filters from becoming clogged with hair.
Competitive swim caps are made of tightly fitted silicone, latex, or lycra th...
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A swim cap, or bathing cap, is a silicone, latex or lycra cap worn on the head by recreational and competitive swimmers.
Caps are worn to keep the hair relatively dry or free of chlorinated water, and keep water out of the ears when worn with ear plugs. Some facilities require the wearing of swim caps, as they are used to protect filters from becoming clogged with hair.
Competitive swim caps are made of tightly fitted silicone, latex, or lycra that hugs the skull of its user, providing cover for his or her hair. This reduces drag in the water caused by loose hair. During longer swimming sessions a swim cap keeps the head warm.
Swim caps were made of rubberized fabric during the early 20th century. By the 1920s they were made of latex. The earliest chin strap caps were known as "aviator's style" as they resembled the strapped leather helmets of flyers of the day. During the 1940s swim caps became scarce as rubber was needed for war materials. It was a lucky girl who had a swim cap to...
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