These are independent reviews of the products mentioned, but TIME receives a commission when purchases are made through affiliate links at no additional cost to the purchaser.
After taking up swimming as adults, Soul Cap co-founders Michael Chapman and Toks Ahmed-Salawudeen realized that existing swim caps weren’t designed for Black swimmers like themselves, who need extra protection from the effects of chlorine and a larger design to accommodate thicker, curlier hair. Their solution: the Soul Cap, which can cover dreadlocks and braids, and aims to make the sport more inclusive. But swimming’s international federation, FINA, banned the caps ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games, saying they did not conform to “the natural form of the head.” In September, after an outcry, FINA reversed its policy. The silicone cap earned a partnership with Adidas the same month.
Buy Now: Soul Cap
Susana Silva
More Must-Reads from TIME
- How Kamala Harris Knocked Donald Trump Off Course
- Introducing TIME's 2024 Latino Leaders
- George Lopez Is Transforming Narratives With Comedy
- How to Make an Argument That’s Actually Persuasive
- What Makes a Friendship Last Forever?
- 33 True Crime Documentaries That Shaped the Genre
- Why Gut Health Issues Are More Common in Women
- The 100 Most Influential People in AI 2024
