Hood Specs

[FishDiver]

Just spoke with Cricket at Otter Bay. While I'm not sure my 5mm hood is adequate for Monterey diving I want to make sure I really need a 12mm hood before I spend the cash.

All of the commercial (non-custom) hoods I find are either 5 or 7mm. What are you regulars wearing for Monterey and northern waters? PNW folks are welcome to jump in as well.

 

[mikemill]

I dive wet with a 7mm wetsuit over a 3mm hood/vest combo. That is more then enough (for me). IMO unless you are really sensitive to cold a 12mm is gonna be overkill. The 5mm should be more then enough.

I'd say do some dives with your 5mm and see how you feel.

 

[ba_hiker]

I dove Monterey with a 5/7mm hood for years, then with a 3mm vest with attached 5mm hood. Thought it was mostly great. Sometimes my feet or hands got a bit cold on the third or forth dive.

Got the 12mm hood and love it, particularly on days with several dives or deeper dives. Like the fit too. In fact i have often wondered if a 5/7mm hood, that fit as well as the custom one would be as warm. Also the additional flotation on my head improved my trim, reducing my tendency to tip forward.

 

[Hinalo]

I'll use a 7mm/3mm hooded vest with the 7mm part on the hood. Then with a 7mm jumpsuit I'm comfortable even at 46˚. I don't think a 5mm hood would be enough for NorCal water. Of course you'll need thick enough gloves and booties too. I find that 4mm gloves are OK, but 3mm aren't enough when it gets really cold.

 

[astrofunk]

The 12mm Otter Bay hood is the Cadillac of hoods. You won't be sorry you sprang for it.

 

[adelman]

I use a 7mm warmneck hood and find it is plenty of insulation. My wife has one of Cricket's 12mm hoods. The big plus of the hood is that it is 12mm (lots of insulation). The big drawback is that it is 12mm (very bulky and difficult to put on). At Cricket's suggestion, we stretch it over a tank the night before diving, but it is still a real hassle.

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

Adm. Linda and I both dive the 12 mm Otter Bay.

One thing that is critical about all hoods is that they should overlap your
mask on the top and sides. That prevents direct contact with the cold water
in those areas, and also prevents jellyfish stings there. Cricket personally
trims her hoods there when you pick them up.

 

[ae3753]

Otter Bay's 12mm hood is one of the best diving purchases that we've made. When purchased, it added at least 10 minutes to our bottom time.

 

[Peter_C]

I am a believer in the 12mm Otter Bay hood.

 

[DocWong]

Cricket's Otter Bay 12mm hood for Monterey is definitely not overkill.

Of course before I knew any better, I thought coming out of the water with blue fingers, toes and lips was normal. Now that I know better, I can be as warm here as in the Caribbean. Being there and in South Florida for 2 weeks, diving in a 5 mil wetsuit and hood, I was warm in their 75-80 degree waters.

Also, if for some reason you get stuck in the ocean for longer than anticipated times, the better insulation you have the less you will suffer.