dry suit hood -- latex vs. neoprene

[jasondbaker]

I'm looking at buying a viking xtreme drysuit. It comes with either a latex or neoprene attached hood. I've never seen a latex hood. Is it a pain to put on? Does it wear out easily. I dive mostly cold quarries and Lake Superior/Michigan. Which type of hood makes more sense?

 

[MechDiver]

IMO the attached latex hoods are more trouble than they're worth. I have 2 buddies with them and they always have water in their hoods after a dive. I also do not like attached hoods. If the hoods goes bellyup for some reason, you either cut it off, or have a cold head. You also have to wear a liner with a latex hood, just another item to screw with.

I would forgo either of those options and get a separate neo drysuit style hood.

Good luck with the new suit.

MD

 

[Hallmac]

Lose the attached hood and use a separate hood.

hallmac

 

[MechDiver]

Hallmac once bubbled...
Lose the attached hood and use a separate hood.

hallmac

I think you and I are the only ones "on" tonight. This overtime work is tough

MD

 

[Rec2Tek]

I dive a latex hood year around. In Lake Erie, New jersey, Fl. I stay warm and dry. I have been diving a latex hood for a number of years.Water temps from 34-76 F. The only time I have been wet is when the hood was worn out and needed replaced. Easily done in about 30 minutes. I do over 100 dives a year. I would recommend a latex hood over a wet or semi dry hood. The underliner is the key to warmth the viking open cell liner works very well. I also use a OS systems underliner which works as well. I usually carry 2 because when the water is warm(50 or higher) I usually sweat allot. You can put a one way valve to vent gas out of the hood, so you don't look like a cone head....Good Luck

 

[Irishdiver]

Hallmac once bubbled...
Lose the attached hood and use a separate hood.

hallmac

Great, but always bring a spare when you're diving...because I can guarantee that while you won't 'lose the attached hood' you're certain to lose the separate hood, somewhere, sometime when you least want to throw a dive.

Having said that, I have a separate hood for both my dry suit and my semi-dry, which at least allows me to use the day-glo ones for increased visibility on the surface - handy in poor conditions after a dive or when there's a lot of boat traffic around!

I personally prefer the separate hoods. Don't know anything about latex hoods, separate or otherwise, so can't comment on that.

Dive often, dive safe.

 

[Rolfe]

I dive with a Viking Extreme with an attached latex hood. I have had good luck with it and usaully can remain pretty dry with it. Even if it does leak the Viking liner keeps you warm. I used the system ice diving in Moosehead lake last year and the water temp was 25 degrees and I just did a dive two days ago looking for on outboard in Bucks Harbor and the ocean temp was 28. The hood leaked on the ocean dive but I was completely comfortable.

 

[mddolson]

Just to offer an alternative opinion.

I use and prefer a latex attached hood.
Under it I use an old neoprene hood with the neck and face seals cut back. I have found this better than the open cell liners (hood) which can be cold if you get them wet.
It is the only way I have ever dived dry. (latex neck seal and attached latex hood))
(Note: I have a short neck, not much room for the reverse neoprene seals)

You can tear a latex hood.
I keep a neprene hood as a back up.

MikeD
:blfish:

 

[Paul 6]

I'm diving a Viking xtreme with the attached latex hood in Mountain lakes and rivers down to 39* F. I was skeptical while waiting for the suit but my dealer was confident I would like the latex, he was right. I can't imagine ever wanting to wear a thick wetsuit hood again! Now, I've never been in a DRY neoprene hood such as a Posiedon unisuit offers, but the latex is so light and flexible and my ears always stay dry. I would highly recommend a latex hood on any cold water dive. Remember, dry gloves are warmer than wet ones.

 

[cpete]

my ears always stay dry

Maybe this is a stupid question. I'm new to a drysuit, but wear my wetsuit hood. If you don't get you ears wet, how do you equalize?

Thanks, Chris