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Ear Plugs or Neoprene Cap in cold water
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 2014-12-26 10:23 AM |
 42 |  Subject: Ear Plugs or Neoprene Cap in cold waterI recently read an article on coping with cold water swims and it read as if ear plugs are optional if wearing a neoprene cap. If water temps are going to be in the 50's, do you wear a cap and plugs, or is a cap sufficient? |
| 2014-12-26 10:33 AM in reply to: Keithb00ne |
Extreme Veteran 1986    Cypress, TX | Subject: RE: Ear Plugs or Neoprene Cap in cold water Both. I wear ear plugs all the time whether the water is 90 degrees or 55. My ear canal lets in water like it's a sieve so I have no choice. Cold water in the ear canal can cause a host of problems that you do not want to deal with. |
| 2014-12-26 11:32 AM in reply to: GMAN 19030 |
Veteran 2842 Austin, Texas | Subject: RE: Ear Plugs or Neoprene Cap in cold water Originally posted by GMAN 19030 Both. I wear ear plugs all the time whether the water is 90 degrees or 55. My ear canal lets in water like it's a sieve so I have no choice. Cold water in the ear canal can cause a host of problems that you do not want to deal with. Any suggestions for a good brand/make/model of ear plugs? I swim with an iPod in training, which keeps the water out, but can't do so in races...
Matt |
| 2014-12-26 11:48 AM in reply to: mcmanusclan5 |
| Member 1487 Scottsdale, AZ | Subject: RE: Ear Plugs or Neoprene Cap in cold water I use ear plugs all the time...my ears just don't like water and I tend to get ear infections if I don't. I use Macks ear plugs - they are clear, gel like plugs that you mold to your ear. They work GREAT and are cheap - can usually buy a pack of 12 at Walgreens for around 7 dollars! |
| 2014-12-26 11:57 AM in reply to: runspingirl |
Master 2406 Bellevue, WA | Subject: RE: Ear Plugs or Neoprene Cap in cold water Originally posted by runspingirl I use ear plugs all the time...my ears just don't like water and I tend to get ear infections if I don't. I use Macks ear plugs - they are clear, gel like plugs that you mold to your ear. They work GREAT and are cheap - can usually buy a pack of 12 at Walgreens for around 7 dollars! X3 on both. Cold water makes me slow. Cold water in the ears makes me dizzy. Mack's Pillow Soft clear silicone gel is the way to go. And don't get a cap that is too small. Having your head squeezed while swimming gets really awful after a while. I have a Blue Seventy cap that is a medium and its too small. Aquaman fits much better. Try a few on. Err on the side of too big. |
| 2014-12-26 12:45 PM in reply to: Keithb00ne |
Extreme Veteran 1018 | Subject: RE: Ear Plugs or Neoprene Cap in cold water Both. I have these. http://www.amazon.com/Macks-AquaBlock-Earplugs-Purple-pair/dp/B0002... |
| 2014-12-26 1:31 PM in reply to: GAUG3 |
Extreme Veteran 1986 Cypress, TX | Subject: RE: Ear Plugs or Neoprene Cap in cold water Originally posted by GAUG3 Both. I have these. http://www.amazon.com/Macks-AquaBlock-Earplugs-Purple-pair/dp/B0002...
That's what I use too. |
| 2014-12-27 5:00 AM in reply to: Keithb00ne |
Melon Presser 52116 | Subject: RE: Ear Plugs or Neoprene Cap in cold water I'm one of the people who wears earplugs all the time, and they happen to especially be a lifesaver in cold water. For cold water swims, I use and recommend the Emilio de Soto (as in De Soto tri gear) swim cap sandwich: Silicone or latex swim cap (really good coverage, over the ears and hairline), then neoprene cap, then race cap on top. It's amazing how dry and warm this will keep your head, which in turn keeps your entire self decently warm. |
| 2014-12-27 9:56 AM in reply to: Keithb00ne |
Expert 703 Palm Springs, California | Subject: RE: Ear Plugs or Neoprene Cap in cold water x2 on the cap sandwich. I've done a lot of ows in the Pacific down to the 40s so have things dialed in. On the Central Coast of CA, the Arctic current can keep things chilly into Summer. Most of us don't use ear plugs, but for some it's a must. They're a matter of personal preference. What is a must is keeping your forehead warm, that's where DeSoto's cap sandwich comes from. In the upper 60s, I barely need a cap, add a second latex in the mid-60s, and a neoprene in the upper 50s. I use two neoprenes under a bright latex in the lower 50s. The *key* to being warm is making sure your caps are pulled over your forehead near your goggles. The back of your head doesn't matter. A related trick is to use mask style goggles like Aqua Sphere Vistas. They help fend off ice cream headache and a lot of our swimmers use them. I tend to train in the ocean in Vistas and race in regular goggles. Once you're all dialed in, you'll be able to surprise yourself by being hot in too many caps when you're swimming hard. |
| 2014-12-27 10:14 AM in reply to: #5077037 |
Veteran 612 Kennebunkport, Qatar | Subject: RE: Ear Plugs or Neoprene Cap in cold water I use ear plugs all the time in anything colder than 70, which is always in Maine ocean swims. If I don't I get so dizzy coming out of the water and in transition that I almost pass out. With the plugs I have no issues. I just get the cheap wax one at the drug store for a few bucks. |
| 2014-12-27 9:43 PM in reply to: Keithb00ne |
| 58 , North Carolina | Subject: RE: Ear Plugs or Neoprene Cap in cold water I use ear plugs even when swimming in a pool just because my ears dont like water in them. I dont even know what brand ear plugs I use, I just put them in, put my cap over them, and they stay in place. I definitely would use them in cold water, just because messing with the ears is bad news. The inner ear is where balance is controlled, so having any issues there would definitely be bad news come race day. |
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|  Started by KronerViews: 2789 Posts: 4 | ||
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