Beanie or Hood???

[WetBoy101]

You know how hoods feel really uncomfortable when you try them on at your LD. Well, don't worry cause they feel even worse in the water!! HA! (CHOKE, GAG, CHOKE)

 

[herbdb]

I have both and will wear the full hood if its really cold, but I really don't like them. I find that a beenie works for keeping me warmer when quarry diving. Our water is never really warm.

In warm water, no headgear is required.

 

[greta-inbaja]

I think they help when doing multiple dives per day especially over a few days. I use one in water that is in the high 70s. Sometimes 80. really helps on long dives

 

[duroejc]

Beanie when diving 3mm in warm water- multiple dives a day for multiple days

 

[Charlie99]

Beanie when diving 3mm in warm water- multiple dives a day for multiple days

I rarely dive without one, even in 80F water. The head is a major source of heat loss. I find covering the top of my head with a 3mm beanie makes a huge difference in how warm I feel at the end of a dive. Of course, not everyone has a huge bald spot like me, ......

As others have noted, a beanie is much less confining than a hood.

With colder waters, a full hood may be needed, but for water in the 70's, I find the beanie ideal.

 

[LivBlue]

I was eager to try out some new fins so into the swimming pool in 72 degree water in a shorty I went. I snorkeled around about 30 mins but my neck and head were cold and a little pained when I got out. So while at the dive store the next day I got a 2.5mm beanie and got back in 72 degrees the next day and I'm here to say that beanie in that situation made a giant difference. When I took it off I put my hand in it to fold and it was warm in there. So I guess it just depends on what and where you'd like to wear one.

 

[Token]

I've been looking at hoods, then began reading some reveiws of Beanies. The Beanies seem to provide greater flexibility and comfort than their Hooded brethren.

Thoughts? Beanie vs. Hood?

I find beanies don't make that much difference in your comfort...plus they come off pretty easily and get lost [unless they are the hi-tech variety with a chinstrap]. I've only tried out my hooded vest in the pool but I found it quite comfortable and unrestrictive. I suspect that taking care to get a good fit is key. Beanies are cheap enough to experiment with...

 

[LakeCountyDiver]

Hood hands down. I dont like to dive without it.

 

[The Light Eternal]

I try to avoid having anything on my head unless absolutely necessary, I'll go hoodless down to near 60 sometimes (I just really don't like hoods, hats, etc...call me crazy). With that in mind, the idea of a beanie seems fairly pointless to me. I've owned a wide variety of hoods, they come in a wide variety of neck sizes, but unfortunately that's not a typical selling point so it's hard to find ones that might be larger. Best bet is to try some on.

Beanies cover the top of your head and your ears, which seem to be where the most heat loss occurs. That being said it doesn't cover your neck arteries or veins so you're just shunting cold blood into your head by not using a hood.

 

[WetBoy101]

I find beanies don't make that much difference in your comfort...plus they come off pretty easily and get lost [unless they are the hi-tech variety with a chinstrap]. I've only tried out my hooded vest in the pool but I found it quite comfortable and unrestrictive. I suspect that taking care to get a good fit is key. Beanies are cheap enough to experiment with...

( Sorry, but you are very wrong) They make a great deal of difference in heat retention and they can't come off unless your mask falls off!!!