I’ve always had short hair, so I’ve never worn a swim cap. Then I started swimming in my local lake and realized that a bright yellow cap increased my visibility in the water, a good idea in a lake shared by swimmers, paddlboarders, boaters, kayakers, and more.
Once I took the plunge to continue swimming in cold weather, I realized I needed more protection from the cold than a layer of silicone. I was lucky to have a local wetsuit company, blueseventy, to ask about cold weather swim gear. They offered me the opportunity to test their Adjustable Thermal Skull Cap.
Naturally Warm
Made out of rubber and nylon (97% “smooth skin non ferrous vulcanized rubber” and 3% nylon), and lined with a synthetic wool called “Zircromium,” the Thermal Skull Cap provides excellent protection from the cold water. The adjustable strap and skull-hugging fit hold the cap securely against my ears. I appreciate that blueseventy uses Yamamoto material in their products. It’s a neoprene derived from limestone rather than petroleum.
A lot of swimmers I know wear earplugs in the water, but I think the Thermal Skull Cap does such an excellent job of protecting my ears from cold and water that I have never suffered any ear issues related to swimming in cold water.
High Performance
I swim three times a week in a lake that ranges in temperature from 60 degrees F down to about 52 degrees F this time of year. So far I’ve been happy with the level of warmth the cap provides. I will experiment with adding a merino liner cap as a first layer when the temps drop again in winter months. Because the Thermal Skull Cap is black, I sometimes wear my yellow silicone cap over it for visibility.
When I enter the water I walk in up to my waist or chest, then dive in to begin my swim. The only pain I ever feel is the searing frostbite-like burn of the cold water on my forehead and cheeks. It fades after a just a minute of swimming because my body acclimates so quickly to the cold water. My head never feels cold.
I’m new to using gear other than goggles for swimming, so I’m impressed by how well the cap and my wetsuit mitigate the cold. I just don’t feel cold underneath my gear. It seems like magic. Even after weeks of swimming in the cold water I’m still surprised every time I enter the water that such a thin piece of material can keep me warm. I appreciate that the Velcro-style attachment on the strap is designed to fit a variety of sizes. I can secure it as tightly as I need to.
The cap is coated for durability and to reduce drag in the water. (Read our review of the blueseventy Glide wetsuit.)
Details
The Thermal Skull Cap is available in S, M, and L.
Bottom Line:
I wouldn’t be able to swim in the cold water without adequate head protection, and so far, blueseventy’s Thermal Skull Cap is my favorite cap. It keeps my head and ears warm and dry. I sometimes wear another thermal cap, but I like blueseventy’s best because the wool lining adds warmth and comfort. It’s also durable. After weeks of wear, it still looks new.
Now that my head is covered, I’ll be looking for a way to keep my forehead and face warm!
$45 available at the blueseventy store at Amazon
Manufacturer’s Site: http:www.blueseventy.com
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