Long hair swim cap FAQs
Bunbathers swim caps are designed specifically for long hair, helping reduce water exposure so you can swim more often without fully soaking your hair.
Can you swim without washing your hair afterwards?
Many swimmers assume getting their hair wet is unavoidable, but reducing how much water your hair absorbs can significantly change your post-swim routine.
Traditional swim caps are designed to reduce drag, not protect hair from water, which is why hair often ends up fully soaked. Swim caps designed for long hair work differently by lifting hair higher on the head and limiting how much sits directly in the water.
Bunbathers swim caps hold hair in a bun on top of the head, helping keep much of it drier while swimming. While no swim cap is completely waterproof, many swimmers find their hair stays dry enough to avoid a full shampoo and blow-dry after every swim — making it easier to swim more often without the usual hair maintenance.
Will a Bunbathers swim cap keep my hair completely dry?
Bunbathers swim caps are designed to keep your hair significantly drier than traditional swim caps, helping many swimmers avoid fully soaking their hair during a swim.
By lifting long hair into a bun positioned higher on the head, more of your hair sits away from the waterline rather than pressed around the neck and sides. The thicker 0.7mm silicone also creates a secure, comfortable seal that helps reduce water entry compared with thinner caps.
Like all swim caps, Bunbathers are not completely waterproof. If you swim for long periods or dive frequently, some moisture may reach the outer edges of your hair. However, the hair secured inside the bun compartment typically stays largely dry.
For many swimmers, this means less washing, less drying, and more spontaneous swims.
Do swim caps actually keep your hair dry?
Most traditional swim caps are designed to reduce drag — not protect hair from water.
Bunbathers swim caps work differently. By lifting long hair into a bun positioned higher on your head, more of your hair stays elevated and away from the water. This helps reduce chlorine or saltwater exposure and prevents your hair from becoming fully soaked.
While no swim cap is completely waterproof, many swimmers find their hair stays dry enough to avoid a full wash and blow-dry after every swim.
What swim cap works for very long hair?
Very long hair can be difficult to protect with traditional swim caps because standard designs flatten hair around the neck and sides of the head — areas that stay fully submerged while swimming.
Bunbathers swim caps are designed differently. Hair is gathered into a bun positioned higher on the head, lifting it away from the waterline where less water reaches.
In fact, the longer your hair, the more effective this design can be. With very long hair, a larger percentage — often 80–90% — sits fully inside the bun compartment, which is the area that stays driest during swimming.
With shorter or medium-length hair, some hair forms the bun while some is pulled upward from underneath. This still reduces water exposure compared with traditional caps, but the dryness effect may be slightly less pronounced.
What is the best swim cap for long hair?
The best swim cap for long hair is one specifically shaped to accommodate a bun or ponytail.
Standard caps compress long hair flat against the neck, stretching the material and allowing more water to enter. A cap designed for long hair creates space for volume on top of the head, improving comfort and helping keep hair drier.
Bunbathers swim caps are designed to fit long, thick hair comfortably without pulling, slipping, or over-stretching.
Can using a Bunbathers cap reduce how often I wash my hair?
Many customers find they can swim more often while washing their hair less frequently.
Because more of your hair stays protected from chlorine or saltwater, you may only need a quick refresh rather than a full shampoo and blow-dry after every swim. For many swimmers, this makes regular swimming far easier to fit into a busy routine.
Why do traditional swim caps still let water in?
Most traditional swim caps are designed for hydrodynamics, not hair protection.
They flatten hair around the neck and sides of the head — areas that remain submerged while swimming. When long hair stretches the cap, small gaps can form around the edges, allowing water to enter.
Caps designed specifically for long hair reduce this stretching and reposition hair higher away from the water.
What should I do after swimming for best results?
If the outer roots feel slightly damp, keep your hair in the bun and lightly blow-dry around the hairline and edges.
Many swimmers find that a small amount of saltwater or chlorine adds natural texture and lift at the roots — making post-swim styling quicker and easier.
What are Bunbathers swim caps made from?
Bunbathers caps are made from high-grade 0.7mm silicone.
This thicker silicone provides better durability, comfort, and sealing compared with thinner silicone or latex swim caps.
What swim cap fits over a bun or ponytail?
Bunbathers swim caps are specifically designed to fit buns and ponytails comfortably.
The structured bun compartment allows you to keep your hairstyle intact without flattening or rearranging your hair before swimming.
Who are Bunbathers swim caps designed for?
Bunbathers swim caps are ideal for swimmers with long, thick, or styled hair who want to swim without fully soaking their hair each time.
They are especially popular with recreational swimmers, lap swimmers, ocean swimmers, and anyone who avoids swimming because of the time required to wash and restyle their hair afterwards.
Are Bunbathers available in retail stores?
Currently, Bunbathers swim caps are available exclusively through our online store.
Can I order Bunbathers wholesale for my store or pool?
Yes — we welcome wholesale enquiries.
Please contact hello@bunbathers.com and we’ll be happy to help.
International shipping and duties
We ship worldwide from New Zealand 🇳🇿.
International orders (including the UK) may incur VAT, import taxes, or courier handling fees on delivery. These charges are set by your local customs authority and are not included in our pricing.