Best cold water swimming hats and thermal caps in 2026

If you plan to continue your open-water swimming through the winter, then aside from a cosy swim robe to warm you after your dip, a cold water swimming hat is an absolute essential. Here are our favourite tried and tested picks for swimming in colder temperatures…

Neoprene swimming hats are essential bits of kit because a lot of heat escapes from the head when swimming in cold water (below 15°C or 59°F), which is something you want to slow down.

By wearing a hat or hood, you’ll help maintain your core body temperature, which will in turn help maintain blood flow to the extremities.

As a result, you may be able to stay in the water a little longer, or your experience might feel nicer for the time that you are in it!

Below, we’ve tested a selection of the best cold water swimming hats, jump to the bottom of the article for a more in-depth explanation of what they actually are…

Best cold water swimming hats and thermal swim caps in 2026

1. Orca Thermal Neoprene Swim Cap

Price	$45 / £35
Sizing	S/M, L/XL, XXL
Thickness	3mm

I went for the smallest size in this neoprene cap – S/M – but it also came in L/XL and XXL, offering three size options where most brands only have two.

This gave me the perfect fit and I loved the thermal lining, which made the cap feel very soft and comfortable as well as keeping my head warmer as I swam.

The neoprene is 3mm and a Velcro chin strap allowed plenty of room for adjustment, yet stayed in place well as I swam.

I wore this cap with a bright normal swim cap on top for visibility, but the fit was so good with this one that I could have worn it without.

Orca is fast cornering the market in winter swim kit, though, and as well as this thermal cap the brand offers a plain neoprene one in orange, as well as a skull cap (no strap), a balaclava and a neoprene headband.

2. Zone3 Active-Flex Swim Cap

Price	$40 / £29
Sizing	S/M, L/XL
Thickness	3mm

This Zone3 Active-Flex Swim Cap comes in two sizes (S/M or L/XL, I’m in the S/M here) and is very soft and flexible.

The 3mm neoprene does a good job of keeping out the chill and the bonded seams don’t allow water in.

However, I usually add a normal silicone swim cap on top for added warmth and visibility). The hook-and-eye strap felt secure and I thought it was good value for money.

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3. Huub Neoprene Skull Cap

Price	$24 / £17.99
Sizing	S, M, L
Thickness	3mm
Features	Neoprene chin strap; reflective detailing

I was impressed by Huub’s pricing strategy on its accessories. Where 2XU, for example, prices all its items the same at $60/£45, here Huub comes in less and also charge a lower amount for its swim cap, arguably the least technical item to produce.

This is a great price for a cap made from coated neoprene that’s 3mm and warm and well-fitting.

There’s also a sturdy neoprene chin strap, which was easy to adjust with cold or gloved hands and also stayed in place securely throughout my swim.

Graphics are minimal, but I would usually wear a neoprene cap under a brightly-coloured one for safety and visibility anyway.

Three sizes are available – S, M and L – and I found a size medium to be perfect for this female tester with no gaps or water ingress as I swam. 

4. Lomo Smoothskin Neoprene Swimming Cap

Price	$27/ £16
Sizing	S, M, L, XL
Thickness	Not stated
Features	Velcro chin strap

We’ve said it time and time again – and more than once in this feature alone – but alongside never swimming alone, being visible in open water is one of the most important things you can do to stay safe and improve your chances if you do get into trouble.

So props to Lomo for offering their open-water swim cap in bright orange or pink, as well as the usual black.

This gives you visibility without having to wear another cap on top, plus this 3mm cap was stretchy while also feeling soft and comfortable.

You also get a Velcro chin strap, which allowed good range of adjustment and stayed in place well. Sizing ranged from S through to XL which should allow most swimmers to get a good fit.

We can’t argue with that price tag either – once again, Lomo have nailed performance on a budget.

5. 2XU Propel Neoprene Swim Cap

Price	$59.99 / £45
Sizing	S/M, L/XL
Thickness	3mm
Features	Velcro chin strap, yellow X on back

The Propel neoprene cap comes in two size options – S/M and L/XL – so it should suit most swimmers.

It’s made from 3mm smoothskin neoprene, which means it’s coated, much like a triathlon swimming wetsuit, to make it more hydrodynamic and slip through the water more easily.

In testing, I found the fit was good and the cap did a great job of keeping my head waterproof.

The coated fabric didn’t allow water ingress and the fit was good (though a gap appears at the nape in the photo, that disappears once in a swim position).

I liked the addition of a yellow X on the back for visibility (though we would usually wear a silicone cap on top anyway),

Meanwhile, the Velcro chin strap was easily adjusted and stayed put throughout my swim sessions. Not the cheapest, but a good option.

6. Zone3 Heat-Tech Neoprene Swim Cap

Price	$59 / £39
Sizing	S, M, L
Thickness	4mm
Features	Chin strap, visible graphics

With a $10 premium versus Zone3’s regular neoprene swim cap (also available in orange, handily, for visibility) I was keen to try the Heat-Tech version after a positive experience with the similar gloves and boots.

And, happily, this cap did a superb job of keeping my head warm. The red lining was almost felt-like and immediately felt cosy, plus this hat was slightly larger than the others and offered better coverage of the sensitive forehead area.

A chin strap gave adjustability, while logos were on a par with the Huub for visibility.

7. Zone3 Neoprene Swim Cap

Price	$49 / £29
Sizing	XS, S, M, L
Thickness	4mm
Features	Chin strap

This is Zone3’s regular neoprene swim cap, available in black or orange (again, kudos for offering a brightly-coloured option), but if you want the Heat-Tech version that’s reviewed above, you’ll have to stump up a $10 premium.

It’s worth it though, if you’re serious about retaining heat in your bonce.

Here the standard offering comes without the thermal lining, but still offers a good level of warmth thanks to the 4mm neoprene used here (most brands only use 3mm), which is combined with a Velcro fastening on the chin strap.

The hat stayed in place well as I swam and the fit was snug – sizes XS through to L are available.

It’s worth noting that smoothskin will give a small speed advantage over uncoated neoprene too, if that’s important to you.

8. Orca Swim Hat

Price	$39/£29
Sizing	S-M, L-XL, XXL
Thickness	2.5mm

The Orca swim hat comes in three sizes (S/M, L/XL and XXL) and we were sent the S/M for testing.

I found it far too small though and couldn’t get it to stay in place. Another of our swimmers though (Becca, pictured here) found it to be a better fit, though it’s questionable how well it would stay in place when swimming front crawl.

I liked the bright colour though which will make you very visible in the water without needing to add another cap over the top.

There is a velcro strap at the back to adjust (a bit like a baseball cap) which Becca found useful as her ponytail could poke through the gap, again helping to secure the cap.

It’s made from 2.5mm neoprene and if you prefer a chin strap, that version is actually cheaper at £27 so would be our pick.

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Also consider…

9. Nabaiji Neoprene Open Water Swimming Cap

Price	£19.99 (UK only)
Sizing	M-L, L-XL
Thickness	3mm
Features	No chin strap

This 3mm neoprene swimming cap from Decathlon has a strap-free set-up for those who don’t like restriction around the neck and chin. it comes in two sizes to help you get the right fit, and is made from thermal neoprene.

The colourful orange stripe design should boost visibility in the water, while the hem dips down slightly at each ear to provide extra coverage.

10. TYR Warmwear Adult Swim Cap

Price	$27.50/£9.50
Sizing	One size
Thickness	Not specified
Features	No chin strap

Like the Nabaiji option above, this TYR swim cap is a simple and streamlined option made to retain body heat during cold water swims.

The PU-coated cap is designed to reduce drag and tear resistance. It comes as one size fits all.

How we tested

These neoprene swimming hats have been tested by the editor of 220 Triathlon, Helen Webster, who is also a fully-qualified open-water swimming coach.

Helen has tested hundreds of wetsuits and neoprene accessories over the last decade, including earlier versions of the products listed here.

All of these cold-water swimming caps have been used for multiple swims in cold water – most often in at the South West Maritime Academy near Bristol, which is an open-water swimming venue in the former site of a quarry.

We’ve used these hats in a mixture of water temperatures as low as 5°C, and many of these products have been used for swimming over several months.

What is a cold water swimming hat?

Similar to your classic silicone swimming cap, these wetsuit swimming hats are thicker and made from neoprene material.

They will often have a neck loop or hood to ensure it stays on your head and has a snug fit for optimum insulation benefits. A minimum thickness of 3mm is recommended to keep you toasty and avoid too much heat loss from the head.

Features to look out for in a cold water swimming hat

Thickness

Choose a swim cap with enough thickness to provide insulation without feeling bulky, typically 3–5 mm neoprene works well for cold conditions. Thicker hats retain more heat but may slightly reduce flexibility, so balance warmth with comfort.

Seams

Look for glued and blind-stitched seams to prevent water seepage and improve durability. Smooth, flat seams reduce irritation and help maintain a snug, comfortable seal against the head.

Strap

A secure chin strap can keep the hat in place when swimming in waves, underwater, and during fast efforts. Opt for an adjustable strap that’s easy to fasten even with cold or gloved hands, or a fit that’s snug enough to provide thermal benefits but no too tight to cut circulation.

Fit

A well-fitted hat minimises water entry and traps warmth effectively. It should feel snug but not restrictive, with no gapping, no squeezing, but just a comfortable seal.

What do cold water swimmers wear?

More than any other sport, cold water swimming requires essential gear which you really need to stay warm and safe in the water.

The king of the show is of course, a thermal swimming wetsuit which is needed to keep the core body temperature stable.

This will often have thermal lining and be extra thick to keep you warm.

It’s also key to protect the extremities, as there are where we can loose the most heat and which areas are more at risk of feeling numb quicker when cold swimming.

This is why it’s essential to gear up with neoprene booties, gloves, and a hat like those in this article.

Is cold water swimming really good for you?

Cold-water swimming offers several health benefits, including improved mental well-being and enhanced physical health.

Engaging in cold-water immersion can lead to better mental health, with documented effects on reducing anxiety and depression.

Even brief exposures to cold water of around two minutes can yield significant mental and physical well-being benefits.

However, it’s crucial to approach cold-water swimming safely, as submersion in cold water can pose risks such as hypothermia.

Gradual acclimatisation and proper precautions are essential to safely enjoy the advantages of cold-water swimming.

Whatever temperature water you swim in, you’ll need a pair of the best swimming goggles.

Recent updates

• 15 October 2025: we added a features section to advise readers on key elements to look out for in cold water swimming caps, we updated the header image with our original tester imagery, and added more product options to our swim cap recommendations.
• 2 December 2025: we added two more product reviews.