If you intend to go swimming in the pool, then you will need a protective rubber cap. Let us dwell on its purpose, varieties, subtleties of choice and features of wearing.
What is it for?
In most pools, athletes without a cap are not allowed to practice. This decision is justified, since the rubber cap has an important function - it prevents hair from entering the filter units. Every day, about 100 hair falls out in any person - once in the water, they begin to clog the duct and disrupt its functioning. Nevertheless, some neglect this measure and in vain - the cap takes care not only of the work of the swimming complex, but also of the bather himself. We list only some useful functions of the accessory.
- The cap protects the ears from water, thereby eliminating the development of otitis media. Often on sale you can see half-open models that leave ears free - in this case, you should buy earplugs and enjoy swimming in the kit for the cap.
- The cap allows you to protect your hair from the action of bleach, which disinfect water. In addition, using a hat, you will significantly save time on drying your head. However, it should be borne in mind that not all models provide complete waterproofness.
- And one more nuance - due to the streamlined shape of the head and the smoothness of the coating in an athlete water speed increases, without a cap a person will swim more slowly.
Varieties
Before choosing the optimal model for a hat, you need to figure out which materials this headgear is made of.
Latex
These are thin hats that are worn heavily and are removed with no less effort. They stick to the head and often cause allergies, these are impractical and short-lived products, however, and their cost is low.
The model is optimal for athletes with short haircuts.
Silicone
These hats have many advantages: they are very elastic, at the moment of stretching they increase by 1.5-2 times, they are easily and quickly put on, do not injure hair - All this makes them especially convenient when used by children and long-haired athletes. Such hats are traditionally made thickened so that they fit the head tightly.
The undoubted advantage of silicone is also that it allows you to apply a variety of prints, so such hats will appeal to all lovers of bright colors among swimmers. At the same time, the models have a rather significant drawback - these accessories too tightly fit the head, it often causes discomfort and even leads to a headache.
Fabric
These hats are optimal for those who attend aqua fitness classes, they are quite soft, put on quickly and just as easily removed. Fabric accessories do not harm hair and do not create static electricity. These hats are made from the same materials as ordinary swimwear, which means they have the property of getting wet. They have only one function - to hide hair, they are not suitable for use in professional sports, since their rough surface increases the resistance in water and, accordingly, reduces the speed of movement of the swimmer.
Combined
Very practical and comfortable to use models. They look like a regular fabric headpiece that is silicone coated on the outside. Such accessories do not cause discomfort and at the same time do not leak moisture - Hair gets wet only near the edges.
Combined products are optimal for sports training, and for serious competitions it is advisable to purchase a thin and smooth thing made of silicone.
Dimensions
Hats for the pool are available in two main sizes: children and adults, the latter have a larger volume. For individual manufacturers, the size of the cap may vary, therefore, when buying an accessory you must try it on - If the cap presses too much, it will cause pain and may even increase blood pressure.
The choice
The assortment of rubber bathing caps presented in stores is so great that it sometimes confuses customers. That is why when choosing a suitable accessory, you must adhere to certain recommendations.
- The hat should be as comfortable as possible. She should not squeeze her head too much and stick to her hair. It can be worn and removed without problems, while the hair should remain dry.
- Pay special attention to the cost of the product. For professional athletes, it is better to purchase an expensive model. For a child who is just taking his first steps in swimming, you can be content with budget accessories.
- Evaluate the appearance of the product, if your task is to perform a speed swim, then you should take a closer look at the smooth hats. If setting sports records is not your task, you can purchase a hat with an abundance of jewelry and decorative textures.
Experts recommend purchasing hats from the following manufacturers.
- Adidas. This company produces products for both ordinary swimmers and professional swimmers. Accessories of this brand sit well, do not injure hair, and are easily put on. The only negative is that the ears are only partially closed, so you should definitely buy ear plugs in the kit for the cap.
- Suodun Baoluo. A popular manufacturer of adult hats. The accessory is made of polyurethane, so the hair does not get wet.This hat does not stretch and does not lose its original appearance even after prolonged classes in the pool.
- Banfei. One of the highest quality hats, the manufacturer produces models for both adults and young swimmers. The products have a two-layer construction - the inner one is made of silicone, and the outer one is made of polyester.
- KLV. The most reliable manufacturer of hats for babies. They have a very attractive design depicting the characters of their favorite cartoons and comics, models for girls and boys are provided. The cap is made of silicone, so that the baby's skin remains intact, there are products with pimples.
How to wear?
Before putting on a hat, you need to remove all jewelry from the ears and fingers - they can tear the product. If you have a long head of hair, you should first remove it in a bundle and secure it with an elastic band. When everything is ready - take a hat and slightly stretch it in different directions, then pull it moving from the forehead to the back of the head. At the final stage, straighten the folds and remove the falling strands.
Removing the cap is even easier: just pull the edge and carefully remove it.
Care
Storage space
Keep the cap for the pool in a place where direct sunlight does not penetrate. If you leave it in the sun, you can harm the product. Rubber and latex in such conditions become sticky, you are unlikely to want to wear such an accessory again. It is best to choose a cool, dark place for storage.
Detergents
After use, the product is quite simple rinse with fresh cold water without using detergents. This must be done after each visit to the pool, otherwise bleach will gradually destroy the material. Be sure to dry the accessory. If this is not done, then in a humid environment all conditions for mold and fungus are created. Before putting the hat in storage, add a little baby powder to it - this is guaranteed to protect the product from mold. You need to dry the cap in a natural way, using a hairdryer and other sources of heat is not allowed.