6 Best Extra Large Swim Cap 2025 For Dreadlocks, Braids, Afros & Long Hair

Next, you’ll have to squeeze all the excess water out after you’re done washing. And finally, you’ll have to leave it out to let it dry.

People with long dreads know that this whole process is likely to take hours and hours. Not possible if you’re headed to the pool for a workout before heading to the office, or you just washed your hair the day before your kids decide they want to splash about in the pool.

Wouldn’t it be easier just to wear a swim cap?!

And if you’ve just gotten your locks put in, going swimming without a swim cap can be disastrous. The water could end up pulling your locks apart.

Investing in a swim cap is an absolute must.

How To Put On A Dreadlock Swim Hat

Putting on a swim hat over your dreadlocks might seem daunting at first, but it’s straightforward and gets easy with practice. Here’s what to do:

1. Remove all sharp objects from your hair like certain loc decorations, hair pins etc.
2. Pull your hair up into a bun in the center back of your head.
3. Hold the cap open using both your hands, palms facing in.
4. Line the cap up with the nape of your neck.
5. Pull the cap over your neck, your ears and your hair.
6. Place the edge of the cap down against your forehead.
7. Make sure your ears and neck are covered as much as possible, otherwise water may seep in. Adjust if necessary.
8. Press any excess air out of your cap.
9. Go swim!

What To Look For In A Dreadlock Swim Cap

When you’re looking for a dreadlock swim cap, there are a few different features to consider:

• Size
• Material
• Color
• Price

The first thing you’ve got to look at is the size. We’ve included rough guides to size for the products we’ve featured earlier in this post, but if you’re looking at other options, make sure to check just how much hair the cap can hold.

A cap that is too small could split, and a cap that is too large could let excess water in and end up getting your hair wet. In terms of material, most caps are made of silicone or latex.

We can’t say that any material is better than another. It varies on the size of the cap, breathability and personal preference.

When it comes to color and price, those choices are totally down to you. Keep a look out for warranty policies, though.

A company that offers warranties with their caps may replace a cap free of charge in case of damage.

6 Best Extra Large Swim Cap For Dreadlocks, Braids, Afros And Long Hair

Extra large swim caps are awesome for keeping your hair out of harm’s way when you go swimming. Most of us don’t have all the time in the world to wash, dry and restyle our hair every time we hit the pool or the beach.

Small swim caps hardly fit any hair in, but the larger caps we’ve showcased in this post can cover all lengths of hair.

Next Steps:

After swimming, even with a swim cap, it’s important to protect your dreadlocks and ensure any chlorine water that got in it is washed away. The best dreadlock shampoos, conditioners and creams to help with that can be found in this guide:

Best Dreadlock Shampoo, Conditioner, & Cream Products 2021

Alternatively, check out these hats for black hair; we’ve got styles for all seasons covered. 😉

Now we’ve shown you six of our top picks for extra large swim caps, which is your favorite?