About Swim Caps

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By Carole Vansickle
eHow Contributing Writer

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Swim caps have been around nearly as long as people have been swimming. These rubber devices have changed dramatically over the ages, and taken the leap from vanity item to necessity for competitive swimmers. To get the most out of a swim cap, you should understand how it works and what it is for.

Function

Swim caps are designed to protect the hair from water. In some cases, this means that the hair is literally protected in its styled, fluffy form underneath a cloth or plastic bonnet. However, other times it has more to do with eliminating drag by flattening the hair to the head underneath a latex cap than with preserving a particular look.

History

Swim caps were first worn before swimming was even considered a sport. Women and men alike wore "bathing caps" to protect the hair from exposure to the water. As sports evolved and games like water polo and competitive sports like swimming became more popular, swim caps became a way to keep hair out of the way and identify swimmers in the water.

Features

Today, most swim caps fit the head tightly. They are made of latex or similar rubber materials. They are designed to smash hair as flat as possible to eliminate drag during racing.

Types

Swim caps come in a variety of types. Competition caps are designed to fit low on the forehead and cover the entire back of the head to keep hair completely out of the water and prevent it from slowing you down. Also, they create a more streamlined shape. Older caps that are designed mostly to protect hairstyles may clip under the chin and fit much more loosely. In some cases, they may even be decorated with rubber flowers or other accessories.

Benefits

Message swim caps are nearly as popular at the pool as message T-shirts.
The best thing about wearing a swim cap is that it keeps your hair out of the way. This enables you to enjoy your swimming experience more, whether you are hanging out with friends or participating in a competition. Also, swim caps can help your team look more cohesive if you all wear the same style or color, and can be a way to express personality.

Misconceptions

Most people think that swim caps are designed to keep your hair dry. In fact, this is not the case. Most caps allow moisture inside the cap if you put your head underwater. The only way that they can protect hair is if the cap is splashed, in which case you probably will not experience any water penetration.