Hood vs Hooded Vest

[msandler]

hooded vest

 

[Rick Murchison]

I much prefer the hooded vest. Interestingly, my LDS doesn't like to stock 'em either. Owner says the inventory turnover time is too long to make keeping 'em on hand profitable. Perhaps that has something to do with it.
Rick

 

[sharkdiver00]

Used both and depending on how cold is cold for you, vest provides better insulation and less leakage. Where I am the stores do not have a lot of inventory for cold water, but of what they do have hooded vest takes the most percentage.

Only reason I can think of for your LDS to discourage it might be their ability to keep it in stock due to lack of demand.

Agree with Don Burke, get the hooded vest and see later if an extra hood is enough when temps are warmer.

 

[montyb]

I have both, and it just depends on how cold the water is. A hooded vest is def. warmer than a hood. But that being said you need to try both to see which one is more comfortable.

montyb

 

[Davee]

im with everyone else on here, i dive so cal cold waters all the time, andand my hooded vest keeps me considerably warmer than just a hood.

 

[RobinG]

I used a Henderson hyperstretch hood, which I find immensely comfortable but a 3mil feels like a 1 mil. I don't wear a hooded vest because my hood needs to be an XS and my vest something more like M (I have extra frontal bouyancy...)

Robin

 

[TekDiveGirl]

I'm interested in the opinions out there. My LDS staff discourages use of the hooded vest, but I'm beginning to realize it's all a matter of personal preference. Interested in those that have used both, and chosen one over the other. I do mostly cold water diving if that makes a difference to your opinion. Thanks alot.

When I wore a wetsuit (for the whole 15 dives or so -- I knew there was no way I would cut it in the cold water and went to a drysuit) I first tried a hood and then got a hooded vest. The hooded vest was much warmer and more comfortable for me. I cannot imagine why your LDS would be discouraging a hooded vest.

If you get very cold like I did - the vest keeps you considerably warmer. If you have the opportunity - give both a try and see what works best for you.

Kimber

 

[Turk6482]

I've used both and find the hooded vest much better. Like some others have already stated, the hood sometimes (Most times) just bunches up and you get that nice cold shot of water down your spine when you enter.

Been using a hyper-streatch hooded vest and love it. Much more comfy than just a hood plus I get the extra on the upper torso to keep me warm since I dive Cape ANN almost all the time.