Attached hood v. Hooded vest, for cold water

[Chavodel8en]

For monterey waters. Every part of my body is fine, except my arms. I was told it may be due to water trickling in from the neck (i use a fullsuit & a bibbed hood) and it makes sense b/c i feel a trickle.

I figure either a wetsuit w/ an attached hood or a Hooded vest over a fullsuit may take care of the problem. I'd like opinions from folks as to what is better.

Thanks.

 

[Katz]

I've just got a full hooded suit and I'm going to try it out in Monterey this weekend. It's Bare Alpine. I tried it at home and it fits perfectly. And was relatively easy to don/doff.

 

[2psquared]

I dive in 50 ish water in Southern Cal. Had used a vest with attached hood over a 7 mil and now dive with a pinicle semi dry 7 mil with attached hood. I will take the hood attached to the wet suit any day over the hood attached to the vest.

 

[spectrum]

I have the Bare 7mm Hodded step-in vest that I wear over my 7mm Arctic. it does a great job in cold water. VERY slow infiltration. When it gets warmer the 3mm hooded chicken vest goes underneath.

Pete

 

[Peter_C]

There is more info in this thread.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=140376

 

[Jake]

I had a similar problem, with my arms and hands being the only part of me cold. I did two things to help with this: bought some better gloves (yay!), and bought an O'Neill Gooru 2mm rashguard:
http://www.oneill.com/mens-products.php?sport=surf&categoryID=1&typeID=3&seriesID=4
The Gooru provided the extra level of insulation I needed through the arms and made me a little toastier throughout the body. I had difficulty finding the Gooru, but I think it's because they call it a surf item and I was between seasons. The '06 models might be out now.

This probably won't work out for you where you're at, but I found that with the Gooru on, I didn't need to use a full hood anymore and instead switched to one of those hoods that body boarders wear (that strap around the chin). I've had that gear into about 52 degree water for a short time, and it seemed just fine. A more average condition would be in about 55-58 degrees without problems.

 

[Bubble Junky]

I figure either a wetsuit w/ an attached hood or a Hooded vest over a fullsuit may take care of the problem. I'd like opinions from folks as to what is better.

Wetsuit w/ attached hood will keep the trickles out better, also try wearing a rash top underneath to help keep your arms a bit warmer.

 

[Chavodel8en]

Thanks for the opinions & referral so far.

I was thinking maybe to just get the hooded vest, mainly b/c its a cheaper option & its easier to don/doff.

But it sounds like it may be worth it to go ahead & get the suit w/ attached hood & use my current set up for SoCal waters.

But please, more opinions if there are any.

 

[Peter_C]

Drysuit? LOL
How cold are you on your second dive? We have thumbed more than a few dives from being too cold. I am borderline wearing my shorty under my wetsuit. At some point I will be wearing a drysuit, and I wish I would have bought one instead of a wetsuit, yet the Pinnacle Polar is supposed to be one of the best.

 

[spectrum]

Watch the fit, getting it right from the ankles to the top of your head is not an off the rack item for everyone. If it fits then it fits.