If you've watched a swim meet, you've seen it: swimmers pulling on not one cap but two. It looks like overkill at the pool on a Tuesday morning, so the obvious question is — why do swimmers wear two caps, and should you?
Short version: the double cap is a racing trick that keeps goggles locked in place and smooths out wrinkles for a hair less drag. For everyday training, one good silicone swim cap is all you need. The detail is below.
The real reason swimmers double cap
The two-cap setup almost always follows the same recipe, and the order matters:
- First cap: latex, underneath. Latex grips hair and skin well, so it forms a stable base layer that doesn't slide around.
- Goggle strap: in between. The goggles go on over the first cap, then the second cap goes on top of the strap. Sandwiched between two caps, the strap can't get knocked off — even on a dive or a hard turn.
- Second cap: silicone, on top. Silicone is smoother and slightly stiffer, so it pulls the whole package tight and presents a cleaner surface to the water.
That's it. The headline benefit isn't speed — it's goggle security. At racing pace, a dive or a flip turn can rip loose goggles off a swimmer's face, and there's nothing worse than swimming a 200 blind. The second cap is cheap insurance against a race-ending goggle slip, which is exactly why it shows up so often in triathlon and open-water racing.
Does a second cap actually make you faster?
A little, in theory. A single cap wrinkles where it meets your forehead and the goggle strap, and those wrinkles add a touch of drag. The top silicone cap flattens them out. But let's be honest about scale: the drag saving is measured in fractions of a percent, and it only matters if you're racing at a level where hundredths of a second decide the result.
For the vast majority of swimmers, the speed gain is essentially a rounding error. The goggle-security reason is the one that holds up.
Should you double cap for training?
Almost certainly not. Two caps are warmer, tighter, and more fuss to get on and off. In a normal training set you want comfort and a cap that stays put — both of which a single, well-fitting silicone cap delivers. Save the double cap for race day, if at all.
If your single cap is slipping in training, the fix usually isn't a second cap — it's a better fit or a better material. We cover that in why swim caps slip and how to fix it.
Latex on the bottom or silicone? Does it matter?
The classic combo is latex underneath, silicone on top — latex grips, silicone smooths. But plenty of swimmers double up with two silicone caps and never touch latex, especially if they have a latex allergy or just prefer the feel. There's no rule. If you're choosing between materials in the first place, our silicone vs latex vs lycra guide breaks down the trade-offs.
The honest takeaway
Two caps solve a racing problem — keeping goggles on at speed — with a tiny drag bonus on the side. If you're not diving off blocks at pace, you don't need them. One premium silicone cap that fits well will out-perform a sloppy double-cap setup every single training session.
That's the cap we make: a premium silicone swim cap with enough character that you won't mistake yours for the pile of black caps on the pool deck.
FAQ
Why do swimmers wear two caps?
Mainly to keep their goggles secure. The goggle strap sits between a latex cap underneath and a silicone cap on top, so it can't be knocked off during a dive or turn. The outer silicone cap also smooths wrinkles for a small reduction in drag.
Does wearing two swim caps make you faster?
Only marginally. The smoother outer cap reduces drag by a fraction of a percent — meaningful for elite racers chasing hundredths of a second, negligible for everyone else. The real benefit is goggle security, not speed.
Which cap goes on first, latex or silicone?
Traditionally latex goes on first because it grips hair and skin, forming a stable base. The silicone cap goes on top because it's smoother and pulls everything tight. You can also use two silicone caps if you prefer or have a latex allergy.
Should I wear two caps for training?
No. For everyday training a single, well-fitting silicone cap is more comfortable and easier to manage. Save the double cap for racing, if you use it at all.