# Is there a way to wear a swim cap so it's completely water-tight?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-wear-a-swim-cap-so-its-completely-water-tight/586222
**Category:** The Game Room
**Created:** [June 20, 2011, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-wear-a-swim-cap-so-its-completely-water-tight/586222 "2011-06-20T23:34:15Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)
#### Post date: [June 20, 2011, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-wear-a-swim-cap-so-its-completely-water-tight/586222/1 "2011-06-20T23:34:15Z")
I have long, straight, rather coarse hair. I can’t seem to get a tight seal with the swim cap, and a lot of water seeps in. Is there an ideal way to wear it, or am I stuck with this?
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### Author:  [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-wear-a-swim-cap-so-its-completely-water-tight/586222/2 "2011-06-24T08:55:23Z")
Moved from MPSIMS to the Game Room per the OPs request.
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### Author:  [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-wear-a-swim-cap-so-its-completely-water-tight/586222/3 "2011-06-24T11:32:22Z")
I don’t think there is such a thing as a completely water-tight cap, and I don’t think they’re meant to be. They just lessen the degree of chlorine exposure. Mostly they’re worn to reduce drag and keep your hair from getting in your eyes.
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### Author:  [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-wear-a-swim-cap-so-its-completely-water-tight/586222/4 "2011-06-24T18:57:59Z")
> [@guizot](#):
>
> I don’t think there is such a thing as a completely water-tight cap, and I don’t think they’re meant to be. They just lessen the degree of chlorine exposure.
Ah. Well, since that’s what I’m using it for, I’ll leave it at this.
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### Author:  [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-wear-a-swim-cap-so-its-completely-water-tight/586222/5 "2011-06-24T20:42:44Z")
Is it one of [these](http://www.modcloth.com/Vintage+Clothes/-Vintage-Water-Ballet-Swimming-Cap-in-Sidestroke)?
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### Author:  [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-wear-a-swim-cap-so-its-completely-water-tight/586222/6 "2011-06-24T20:58:46Z")
outside of the water?
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### Author:  [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3_20_59_or_bust)
#### Post date: [June 24, 2011, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-wear-a-swim-cap-so-its-completely-water-tight/586222/7 "2011-06-24T23:11:40Z")
Sorry if this sounds wiseass - it’s not meant to be.
Cut your hair. I have short hair and latex swim caps are basically waterproof. With long hair, I don’t think you’ve got a chance.
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### Author:  [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)
#### Post date: [June 25, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-wear-a-swim-cap-so-its-completely-water-tight/586222/8 "2011-06-25T00:28:40Z")
Do you twist your hair up on to the top of your head? I do this for my daughters and it seems to help.
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### Author:  [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)
#### Post date: [June 25, 2011, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-wear-a-swim-cap-so-its-completely-water-tight/586222/9 "2011-06-25T01:01:37Z")
**3:20** : Well, that’s a catch-22, isn’t it? I need the cap to preserve my long hair, but I can’t preserve long hair so I should cut it. I think keeping my scalp dry is enough, and I am doing that. Just wondered if there was some particular way to wear it that I didn’t know about it. And **Weedy** , I do twist it up.