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Our selection of the finest swimming caps for all hairstyles and budgets

Whether you’re training for a triathlon, swim-run or simply using swimming as cross-training like Olympic marathoner Steph Davis, a swim hat is a vital piece of kit. We’ve scoured the internet for the best ones available and have created a list to cater for all occasions, hairstyles and budgets.

1. It protects your hair. The chlorine used in pools is notorious for damaging hair; a swim cap offers a layer of protection and keeps your hair dry. Silicone and latex swim hats are better than lycra ones for this purpose.

2. It reduces drag. If you have a lot of hair, tucking it inside a swim cap can make you more hydrodynamic.

3. Better visibility. If you have long hair, it’s easy for some of it to come down over your goggles and restrict your view. It can also help with your breathing as you’re not having to try to suck in oxygen through a mouthful of hair!

4. Safety in open water. Wearing a bright colour swim hat is a smart idea if you’re doing any wild swimming in lakes, river or oceans. Other water users are more likely to see you if you’re wearing a bright swim hat and therefore give you a wider berth.

5. It’ll keep you warmer. If you’re swimming in the sea or in open water, particularly during colder months, wearing one or two swim caps can help to keep your head slightly warmer.

This gets our vote as the best budget swim cap that will stand up to regular use. It’s made from silicone, which is very durable, and available in a variety of sizes.

Another great option for those on a tight budget, this cap, again made from silicone, also boasts some extra headroom to allow longer hair to be easily tucked inside.

Designed for children aged up to 14 years, this swim cap allows your little one to take to the water as the Dark Knight. Now, who's for a length of batstroke?

For anyone with dreadlocks, extensions or an afro, this is the hat for you. There’s more room here than on a traditional swim hat. The silicone construction is durable and its designed to stay in place with no slippage, too.

If you’re looking to swim outdoors all year round, investing in a neoprene hat is the way forward. Neoprene is the same material wetsuits are made from, and the helmet-like shape of this cap provides you with extra coverage for those frigid early-morning dips.