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2015-09-17 9:43 AM

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Subject: Race day question: swim cap on wet or dry head?
I read swim cap instructions for my tri months ago and it said to put it on wet hair. Does it make a difference? It this a normal practice and I sound silly asking about it?
Just getting everything perfectly ready for my Saturday race

Thanks!
Mary


2015-09-17 10:01 AM
in reply to: marysia83

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Hamilton, IL
Subject: RE: Race day question: swim cap on wet or dry head?
Originally posted by marysia83

I read swim cap instructions for my tri months ago and it said to put it on wet hair. Does it make a difference? It this a normal practice and I sound silly asking about it?
Just getting everything perfectly ready for my Saturday race

Thanks!
Mary

Always wet hair. Otherwise you run the risk (may be fine, though) of the cap starting to shift and slip as the hair under it slowly gets wet. Also, know that the hair you get wet with sink water will absorb less of whatever you are swimming in. That could be harsh pool chemicals, or it could be icky brown lake water.
2015-09-17 10:03 AM
in reply to: marysia83

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Subject: RE: Race day question: swim cap on wet or dry head?

In training mine always goes on wet hair because I thoroughly wet/rinse my hair with regular water before getting in the pool. Like already stated, that creates a bit of a shield to chlorine and other stuff from saturating your hair.

But in races, I always put a cap on a dry head of hair and have never once had an issue. 

2015-09-17 10:06 AM
in reply to: Danno77

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Subject: RE: Race day question: swim cap on wet or dry head?

Originally posted by Danno77
Originally posted by marysia83 I read swim cap instructions for my tri months ago and it said to put it on wet hair. Does it make a difference? It this a normal practice and I sound silly asking about it? Just getting everything perfectly ready for my Saturday race Thanks! Mary
Always wet hair. Otherwise you run the risk (may be fine, though) of the cap starting to shift and slip as the hair under it slowly gets wet. Also, know that the hair you get wet with sink water will absorb less of whatever you are swimming in. That could be harsh pool chemicals, or it could be icky brown lake water.

I've had the shifting trouble, so tend to get it wet whenever possible.

2015-09-17 12:07 PM
in reply to: brigby1

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Subject: RE: Race day question: swim cap on wet or dry head?
In races I always put it on dry hair. Although I don't have much hair so I don't have to worry about hair shifting when it gets wet.
2015-09-17 12:21 PM
in reply to: marysia83

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Subject: RE: Race day question: swim cap on wet or dry head?
The hair doesn't matter so much. By far, the easiest way is scoop the cap full of water, bend over, then pull it onto your head in one smooth movement as you stand up. The water inside it makes it expand as you pull it on, then it shrinks tight around your head as the water squeezes out.


2015-09-17 12:45 PM
in reply to: TriMyBest

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Subject: RE: Race day question: swim cap on wet or dry head?

Originally posted by TriMyBest The hair doesn't matter so much. By far, the easiest way is scoop the cap full of water, bend over, then pull it onto your head in one smooth movement as you stand up. The water inside it makes it expand as you pull it on, then it shrinks tight around your head as the water squeezes out.

Has that worked for people of various hair lengths? Mine is longer than average for a guy, not really *that* long. Couldn't get this to really work as hair wouldn't always sit under the cap. This would cause it to move and wiggle off. Shorter and it was a nice trick.

2015-09-17 1:02 PM
in reply to: brigby1

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Subject: RE: Race day question: swim cap on wet or dry head?
I've never had shifting issues but what I have found is that as I get nervous for the race I tend to pull the cap on closer and closer to my eyes and really low on my forehead, which then alters the fit of your goggles, so they leak. Don't do what I do and test it out on race morning. Get in, swim around with everything in place and make sure you dont have leaking and shifting issues. And good luck with your race!
2015-09-17 1:12 PM
in reply to: marysia83

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Subject: RE: Race day question: swim cap on wet or dry head?
2015-09-17 6:02 PM
in reply to: GAUG3


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Subject: RE: Race day question: swim cap on wet or dry head?
During training I don't always swim with a cap, and when I do I wear my goggles over it.

But for a race, I put the goggles on first, check the fit a few times in the water, and then the cap over the goggle straps. In case your goggles get bumped by a stray arm, foot, etc you run much less risk of losing them entirely in the chaos. Just remember this when you get out of the water and don't try to pull your goggles off first.
2015-09-17 8:21 PM
in reply to: marysia83

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Subject: RE: Race day question: swim cap on wet or dry head?
Thanks for all your feedback!
Mary


2015-09-18 4:35 AM
in reply to: brigby1

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Subject: RE: Race day question: swim cap on wet or dry head?
Originally posted by brigby1

Originally posted by TriMyBest The hair doesn't matter so much. By far, the easiest way is scoop the cap full of water, bend over, then pull it onto your head in one smooth movement as you stand up. The water inside it makes it expand as you pull it on, then it shrinks tight around your head as the water squeezes out.

Has that worked for people of various hair lengths? Mine is longer than average for a guy, not really *that* long. Couldn't get this to really work as hair wouldn't always sit under the cap. This would cause it to move and wiggle off. Shorter and it was a nice trick.

My hair is long by triathlete standards, and my son has a "man bun". It works for both of us. My son's biggest problem is that with so much hair, caps tend to ride up and slip off after 20-30 minutes of continuous ows. I suggested staples, but he didn't think that was a good idea.
2015-09-18 8:25 AM
in reply to: TriMyBest

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Subject: RE: Race day question: swim cap on wet or dry head?

Originally posted by TriMyBest
Originally posted by brigby1

Originally posted by TriMyBest The hair doesn't matter so much. By far, the easiest way is scoop the cap full of water, bend over, then pull it onto your head in one smooth movement as you stand up. The water inside it makes it expand as you pull it on, then it shrinks tight around your head as the water squeezes out.

Has that worked for people of various hair lengths? Mine is longer than average for a guy, not really *that* long. Couldn't get this to really work as hair wouldn't always sit under the cap. This would cause it to move and wiggle off. Shorter and it was a nice trick.

My hair is long by triathlete standards, and my son has a "man bun". It works for both of us. My son's biggest problem is that with so much hair, caps tend to ride up and slip off after 20-30 minutes of continuous ows. I suggested staples, but he didn't think that was a good idea.

Haha! The riding up like your son sees is what I have experienced at times. Have to be sure it's all tucked up inside that tighter section of the cap. Up front it'll get in front of my eyes, obscuring vision (it's really annoying even if I can still see).

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