@Steve_C: usually wear a 3mm beanie as much for sun protection as anything else but it cuts down on heat loss without the confinement of a hood. I prefer to not wear a hood when possible and the beanie does not bother me at all.
True there is more heat loss from some other areas but the blood is pumped throughout your body. Bare legs are a heat loss and does drain some heat from the core of the body through circulation.
Never even thought of a beanie, which would work with long hair/pony tail unlike a hood. Thank you Steve
@Lorenzoid : True. The common advice to "keep your core warm" is not the end of the story. It's the start.
True but happy for any and all suggestions, thank you.
@Dive Right In Scuba In my experience, the full suit will make a difference, more than some might suggest. I am on of those who always uses a full suit in the ocean because I want the full protection from stinging things, so my experience is mostly in a pool. I used to teach in a pool where we used mostly shorties for both students and staff. I now use full suits, and I believe the difference is noticeable.
I also have another experience that you might find interesting. About 6 years ago, I went to Hawai'i to dive for the first time, and back then I did not have a lot of wet suit options. I took a 3mm full suit (which I knew would not be enough for me), a 3mm vest, and a hood. For the first few days, I wore the full suit and the vest, and I was a bit chilly by the ends of the dives. Then one day I mistakenly left the vest at the condo, so I pulled the hood out of the bag for the first time. With just the 3mm suit and the hood, I was nice and warm.
Sounds like a happy accident in the case of forgetting the vest. I may forgo the comfort level and try out a hood. Thank you for sharing and adding to this thread.
