Swimmers - dumb swim cap question

[Nonny]

I just joined the Y and I'm wanting to get back into lap swimming.  I have a silicone cap, which I used successfully in the past, but it doesn't want to stay on my head properly.  It keeps sliding up my head and popping off, although I can mostly keep it in place if I get my goggles in the right position before it slips off.  However, I have been also trying out aqua fitness and was hoping to wear it then too, and I don't really need or want my goggles on for that (or to wear them headband style).

I think the problem is maybe because of one of two reasons,

1. It's just old. I last swam laps about a decade ago; although I don't know that I ever tried to wear it without my goggles.

OR

2. I just have more hair now, and I'm treating it a little differently.  My hair is a good 6 inches longer than it was when I last swam regularly, and it's color treated now, so I've been better about wetting it, doing a leave in conditioner to preserve my color, and putting it in a bun before putting on the cap.  

Any thoughts?  I'm planning to get some significant length cut off at the end of the month, but if it is a length issue I'm likely to be back in this same situation next year. 

[mrshandy]

Swim caps do wear out.

I have long, fairly thick hair and use this swim cap exclusively.

www.amazon.com/TYR-Long-Hair-Wrinkle-Free-Silicone/dp/B00DGGNNWM/ref=sr_1_3?qid=1567599553&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A2770406011&s=sports-and-fitness&sr=1-3

[joenali]

Silicone caps always slide off my head. And I would agree that a ten year old cap is pretty old. If you don’t have allergies, I would just use a latex cap.

[Nonny]

Thanks, I'll try a new cap that can accommodate longer hair.

And honestly, I hadn't thought of any negative repercussions of using a leave-in before swimming. I was just following the advice of my stylist and the internet. I can stick to just soaking my hair with fresh water first.

[Susie]

The slippery conditioner is almost assuredly contributing to the sliding off. I can hardly imagine a cap staying on with conditioner in the mix.  Back in my competitive swimming days if I had anything in my long curly hair, even just mousse from the day, my cap would slide back and I'd end up putting it back on in the right spot after warmup.

I haven't tended to find silicone caps stretch out too much. Latex yes, but not so much silicone. I'd try nixing the conditioner regimen and then see how it goes before seeing if you really need to buy anything different.

[emilyj]

I have come to the conclusion that I have a small head. Baseball caps look weird on me. I have to cinch visors as tight as possible. And swim caps - latex and silicone - always have extra play in them for me, which means they are constantly sliding off my head.

It may just be something as simple as that. But I agree - ditch the conditioner. Both for sliding sake and not leaving residue in the pool.

I personally wear silicone, because latex tears up my hair.