Swim hats and caps are an essential piece of kit for cold water dips. Open water swimming has never been more popular, with swimmers across the country braving icy ponds, lakes and the sea in order to reap the benefits of cold water immersion.
Even when the temperature rises as we head towards summer, it’s important to keep warm - and visible - in open water with the best swim hats and caps.
Finding the swim hat or cap that’s right for you will largely depend on your wild swimming style. For some, a cosy bobble hat will suffice to keep in heat during chilly swims, but for others, a silicone or neoprene (the material commonly used for wetsuits) swim cap will be more appropriate, particularly if you’re planning on going underwater.
Why is it important to wear a swim hat or cap in cold water?
As well as protecting your hair and keeping it out of the way while swimming, it’s important to keep your head warm in cold water. “When wild swimming, our body temperature is raised from consistent movement and strokes, but our head can get cold quickly so it’s important to keep it insulated,” Dr Giuseppe Aragona, GP and online doctor for Prescription Doctor explains. “A swim hat or cap will prevent headaches or head pain from occurring.”
Wearing the right headgear is also a vital part of open water swimming safety, as a vibrant colour will allow you the experience the joys of cold water swimming while ensuring you stay visible.
Which material is best for swim hats and caps?
The material you opt for largely depends on your swimming style, as well as the water temperature you’ll be swimming in. Those planning on sticking to breaststroke may not need more than a simple woolly hat, while those who plan on swimming front crawl or backstroke will need a silicone or neoprene hat.
Jon Pressling, Marketing Manager for Tri UK, advises: “Opt for a swimming cap made of a thicker material [typically 3mm thick]. Silicone and neoprene caps can help to retain heat and stop it from escaping which should allow you to feel a little warmer in the water.”
How to choose the best swim hat or cap
As well as selecting the best material (and you can always double up with two swim caps or a woolly hat on top if needed), it’s also important to consider the fit to ensure your hat or cap is as comfortable as possible. As Jon Pressling explains, “If the swim cap is too big it will slide around, fill with water and just create a poor swimming experience, as you’ll have to constantly stop and adjust it. Too small and it can either become impossible to put on or so tight when it is on your head that it actually hurts and becomes too uncomfortable to enjoy your swim.”
You should also look out for extra features, such as a chin strap that will sure your cap stays secure, a high-vis design or detailing for safer swimming, and heat technology to help your head stay warm in cold water.
Shop the best swim hats and caps below.
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Zone3 Orange Neoprene Swim Cap
We love this stylish orange design from Zone3. It has some attractive features to warrant the higher price point. With a low-drag hydrodynamic design and chin strap for a more secure fit, you can rest assured this high-spec swim cap won’t slow you down in the water. The Yamamoto Smooth Skin material also ensures extra comfort during your swim. Yamamoto is a warm, and flexible rubber foam made from limestone, that will help to keep the heat in, too.
A common complaint from swimmers is that chin straps can feel too tight. This design boasts a flexible fit thanks to its Velcro fastening, catering for a variety of head sizes and hair lengths. Sizes range from S-L.
Buy now £25.00, Amazon
Nabaiji Open Water Swimming Neoprene Swim Cap
This is one of the best swim caps when it comes to value for money. Decathlon’s design team developed this swimming cap specifically for open water dips, providing an extra thermal boost in cold water. The material is 3mm-thick neoprene for optimal comfort and it’s easy to slip on and off, too, with a tight fit that means the cap stays in place.
The stretchy material means the fit is flexible, with two sizes to choose from; M-L and L-XL. Overall, a good all-rounder with a high-vis design for swim safety.
Buy now £19.99, Decathlon
GUL Neoprene BS Swim Cap
Another high-spec swim cap that boasts useful extras is the GUL Neoprene BS Swim Cap. It’s one of the most expensive caps on our list, but also offers some of the best features. This swim cap, with an easily-adjustable Velcro chin strap, is one of the best options for keeping your head dry, as the cap is glued and blind-stitched to help stop water from leaking in.
The material is high-grade 3mm-thick neoprene for added warmth to keep your head cosy during chilly swims. The design also has high-vis detailing, though not as prominently as some of the other swim caps on our list. The cap comes in three sizes; S-L.
Buy now £18.00, Tri UK
Zone3 Neoprene Heat-Tech Warmth Swim Cap
For icy temperatures, this high-spec skull cap is sure to keep warmth in, with a heat-tech fleece lining for increased insulation. This is the most expensive swim cap on our list, but it also offers some of the best features for cold water swimming. As well as increased thermal properties, it boasts a Velcro strap for a better fit and Yamamoto Smooth Skin material for added comfort.
The material is 4mm-thick neoprene, adding an extra millimetre to the standard 3mm for added heat retention. Team with well-insulated swim gloves and boots to stay warm even during the coldest of swims. Sizes range from S-L.
Buy now £34.99, Amazon
Swimbler Grey Waterproof Fleece-Lined Beanie Hat
Swimbler was founded by wild swimmer Lisa Thomas in 2021, who had become frustrated with the lack of bobble and beanie hats to wear in open water that were well-made, well-insulated and stylish, too. This attractive beanie comes in at a mid-price point and has a number of extras for added comfort; including three layers for insulation, a fleece lining for extra cosiness, and a fold-up cuff. Measurements are 24cm with a height of 22cm. The fold-up cuff is 7cm.
And the range doesn’t stop there. As well as waterproof, three-layer pompom hats and insulated beanies, Swimbler’s offering includes fleecy ponchos to layer on after a dip and swim journals to keep a record of all your swims.
Buy now £24.00, Etsy
Neoprene Triathlon Balaclava
This neoprene balaclava offers full coverage, as well as a streamlined and secure fit that will aid performance. This swim balaclava is specifically designed for triathlons by Decathlon’s team of triathlon enthusiasts and covers the ears and nape for swimming in cold water. The balaclava chin strap will offer a secure fit for active swims. This design has a lot to offer at the cheapest price point.
The material is less thick than other swim hats and caps on our list, using 1.5mm-thick neoprene. You could always double up with two balaclavas for added warmth.
Buy now £9.99, Decathlon
GUL Petrel 7 Seas Swim Cap
This nifty swim cap has a tight fit that will ensure you stay streamlined in the water, with a clever design to keep in body heat. In really cold waters, you might want to team this swim cap with something thicker on top, like an additional neoprene cap or woolly bobble hat, depending on your swim style.
The cap is available in black and white, and the white colour option features Firefly Technology, meaning the cap glows in lower light - a great safety feature for open water swims. Sizes range from S-L.
Buy now £7.00, Tri UK
Speedo Recycled Cap
This smart and compact swim cap is made from recycled, instead of new, silicone and offers a warm and protective fit at a low price point. The smooth material is stretchy enough to cater for most head sizes and hair lengths, and won’t snag your hair. A downside to this cap is that its neutral shade means it doesn’t aid visibility when swimming in open water.
Nonetheless, it’s a great affordable option for keeping your head toasty and protected - and can be teamed with a bright bobble hat for wild swimming adventures. One size fits all.
Buy now £9.00, Speedo
Big Bobble Hats Beam Me Up Spotty! Bobble Hat
The extra-thick unisex hats from Big Bobble Hats are ideal for chilly winter dips. Many swimmers like to double up with a silicone hat underneath and a bobble hat on top for extra cosiness, but if you’re braving the open water with breaststroke in mind, a thick bobble hat may be all you need to stay warm. This attractive spotty design will also ensure you stay visible.
It’s an affordable option from our list, but comes without the technical advantages of swim caps specifically designed for wild swimming. Sizing-wise, it’s one size fits all - these bobble hats will comfortably fit most adults up to 61cm head circumference.
Buy now £22.00, Big Bobble Hats
Fine Saratoga Bubble Swim Cap
For those who prefer a retro look, this stylish swim cap ticks all the boxes. Made from thick latex rubber, it’s warm and stretchy for a comfy fit and is really easy to slide on and off. Latex doesn’t offer quite as much insulation as silicone or neoprene, but the bubble design acts as added warmth if braving colder waters. There’s also an inner seal headband for extra comfort during your swim.
This is one of the more spacious swim cap designs on our list, so it’s perfect for people with long hair. This cap comes in just one size, but there is a wide range of colours to choose from so you can match up your swimwear or wetsuit.
Buy now, Fine Saratoga
Verdict
A fantastic all-rounder that will keep you both warm and visible during open water swimming is the Orange Neoprene Swim Cap from Zone3. With a mid-price point, it’s still affordable, but boasts all the added extras of the more expensive swim hats and caps, including an adjustable Velcro chin strap, added insulation and a low-drag hydrodynamic design. A must-have for any wild swimming enthusiast.
