Let’s talk about swimming hats

Diversity

Recently swimming hats have featured heavily in the media after the Soul Cap swimming hats, designed for more voluminous hair were banned by global aquatics governing body FINA from the Olympics. The brand SOUL CAP, which makes swimming caps that accommodate diverse hair types lobbied to have the decision reversed and FINA have now agreed to work with them on future initiatives.

This highlighted one of the many reasons why there is much to be done to to make swimming more diverse and welcoming for all. Soul Cap, the inclusive swimwear brand has been serving the swimming community with its range of swim caps for all hair types since 2017, as well as driving campaigns to promote greater inclusivity in the sport, including the short film, ‘Black Girls Don’t Swim’. Their hats come in a range of sizes which means women and men for that matter can swim whilst protecting their hair no matter the style of volume. They are great to wear as not only do they protect your hair but they keep your hair out of your face, help streamline you in the water and keep your goggles in place!

We love them and you can see Wafa our Community Activity Manager sporting hers here. For a range of colours and sizes check out their website.

Wafa is wearing the Large Soul Cap in green.

Visibility

If you’re swimming in open water we advise always to wear a brightly coloured hat so you can be seen by other swimmers and also other craft that might be on the water.

We like silicone hats as they are kinder to hair, easier to get on and a bit warmer than the thin rubber ones you find at the swimming pool. We have our own, seen below on Maggy on the right. You can buy them here in our shop and they come in white or blue.

Sima and Maggy in their swimming hats. Sima wears the Soul Cap silcone hat Large in Green and Maggy wears the Open Minds hat in white one size.

Warmth

Swimming hats also keep your head warmer as the water temperature drops. During the cold winter months if you’re planning on head down swimming then a bobble hat on top of your silicone hat is not going to cut it.

Orca do a range of neoprene hats, some have chin straps and others don’t. Chin straps can be great for keeping your ears dry too, plus you can adjust them to the size of your head. But one downside is that if you’re swimming any distance they can rub, so always try one out first if you can.

This one is popular with our team and is perfect for reducing heat loss from your head so you can stay comfortable in the water with no chin strap. The hat is held in place via a velcro strap at the back of the hat means you can adjust it for the perfect fit without any potential discomfort under the chin.

Orca neoprene hat without chinstrap