Removing hood from fixed hood wetsuit

[Sbiriguda]

Naive question...
I found a 2 pieces Cressi wetsuit with fixed hood at a good price. I don't like fixed hoods. I prefer much more to change them if necessary. If I cut the hood or ask someone to do this am I going to damage the wetsuit, immediately or in the long run? Once I cut the fixed hood, can I recycle it as changeable hood?
The most important thing for me is that I don't damage the wetsuit

 

[EireDiver606]

Use a hot knife and the seams should be ok but I’ve never tried it on a wetsuit. The integrated hood I much prefer because you don’t have to remember to bring it and they’re much warmer.

I usually get a sharp knife and put it over the gas cooker for a few mins for seaming ropes etc but you can buy a designated hot knife which is a lot more efficient.

 

[Dogbowl]

I suspect that if you cut the hood off, you’ll find that the neck will not seal properly and will easily let water in.

 

[johndiver999]

I suspect that if you cut the hood off, you’ll find that the neck will not seal properly and will easily let water in.

Yes and the hot knife recommendation is not a technique that would be used by anyone who has knowledge of wetsuits or their alteration.

 

[BoltSnap]

If the front zipper of the suit goes up the neck to the hood, you will have a very difficult issue to deal with here. It is something better left to a specialist.

I hate integrated hood suit and never use them.

 

[Sbiriguda]

Thank you so much
I don't know why I like 5 mm + 5 mm wetsuit, without integrated hood, but I don't find anything. Especially Cressi which I like because I like the neopreone to me it looks better than the one of other brands

 

[Sbiriguda]

If the front zipper of the suit goes up the neck to the hood, you will have a very difficult issue to deal with here

It's like you said... Not a good idea to cut it off

 

[BoltSnap]

It's like you said... Not a good idea to cut it off
View attachment 482808

I don't believe that it is "doable" at all in this case or at least it will be a major job for a "factory" with lots of $$ to do it.

I have a beautiful suit that is great to use during the winter here in Libya but the integrated hood is a pain to deal with so I put the suit in the rental inventory and I bought a "hoodless" suit.

 

[Sbiriguda]

I think I will buy the one with fixed hood anyway. In Northern Italy the sea is similar (I guess) to Lybia but the temperatures are colder. In full summer we still use 5 mm plus hood. Below 20 m many people don't like to dive with 5 mm, especially in spring and autumn. Only in the warmest parts of the country like Sicily or Sardinia they can use 3 mm like in the Red Sea during summer. I am curious about Lybia, not so many Italians nowadays go there for diving due to the political risks in the country. But for sure there must be many nice places to see

 

[BoltSnap]

Temperatures vary between as high as 29C in August to around 15C in the winter.