Beanie or Hood???

[n733lk]

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?

Thanks!

 

[tbone1004]

depends on how cold you are diving...
I don't see many beanies... Just sayin... Some in cave country, but if it's below 70 ish I'll just throw a full hood on. May be a 3mm instead of my 6.5mm but it's a full hood. Not a whole lot of flexibility and comfort loss

 

[BKP]

The hood bib drives me nuts, and I have a thick neck, which doesn't help... However, compared to a hood (for me), the beanie just doesn't seem to help much...

 

[tbone1004]

19 inch neck here. I refuse to use bibbed hoods... The DiveRite drysuit hoods from Northeast Scuba Supply are like $16 or something, and are perfect for me. little snug in the neck on the surface so I usually just hold onto it or slip my spg thru it and put it on in the water right before I go down.

 

[TMHeimer]

By Beanie I assume you mean the things swimmers wear? I used one in Panama, because it seemed less fuss than Doc's Pro Plugs to keep water from going deep into my ears (I get swimmer's ear easily). It worked well, except it tugged on my earlobes. I prefer my hood, but not in 77F water.

 

[tbone1004]

Amazon.com: Ardent 3mm Adjustable Beanie Scuba Dive Surf Surfing Kayak Rafting Canoe Snorkel Swimming Cap Hat: Sports & Outdoors

beanie

 

[scubamarketing]

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.

 

[WetBoy101]

I have been diving with one of the neoprene do rags. It is very comfortable and makes a big difference keeping my core warmer.

 

[Kiwi303]

By Beanie I assume you mean the things swimmers wear? I used one in Panama, because it seemed less fuss than Doc's Pro Plugs to keep water from going deep into my ears (I get swimmer's ear easily). It worked well, except it tugged on my earlobes. I prefer my hood, but not in 77F water.

Same here, I just use Vosol and rinse out my ears after a days diving however. Haven't had a problem since starting to do that half way through AOW training, after constant ear problems during OW training.

 

[Searcaigh]

I like a hood when doing backward rolls from a boat, subdues the sudden pressure surge on my eardrums. Additionally hoods help retain warmth during long dives in any water temperature, especially when doing multiple dives.