Hoods for Large Necks?

[w.jueckstock]

I'm struggling on finding a hood that fits my head and neck at the same time. Most size large fit my head perfectly but I have a 18 1/2" neck and most are tight or get tight and constrict my neck while diving. If I go larger, the hood is to loose on my head and defeats the purpose and are still to tight in the neck. Any suggestions? is there a way to stretch out the neck on hoods?

 

[Hawkwood]

Wet suit hood or dry suit hood?

One possibility could be to custom fit a hood that fits your head by cutting slits in the neck and adding neoprene.

Have one instructor who wears a very long braid. She uses a zippered hood that is closed behind the zipper. She just never zips it up.

 

[w.jueckstock]

Wetsuit Hood. I'll have to try the cut and extending method. Lord knows I have enough hoods laying around now to choke a horse. You also mentioned a custom hood. Any suggestions where to go for that?

 

[tbone1004]

check out drysuit hoods, lots of them have a zipper in the back of the neck. I dive with a Dive Rite hood and just leave it unzipped most of the time. Works well. Only difference in the hoods are whether they have a skirt or not, and I don't really like skirts...

 

[diver 85]

A PSA here---------be careful with LTG(or NTG), google it if you don't know what I'm talking about...

EDIT:......OR, PM if you don't get any good searches going.....

 

[Hawkwood]

Wetsuit Hood. I'll have to try the cut and extending method. Lord knows I have enough hoods laying around now to choke a horse. You also mentioned a custom hood. Any suggestions where to go for that?

The joy of text and not speech. What I meant was you are going to have to "custom fit" a hood that already fits your head, but not your neck.

 

[Mikeguyver]

I had/have the same problem. Some of the hoods that fit my neck were then TOO big for my head (and I have a big melon). I found that the Aqua lock hoods were the solution for me. They are pricey but I was able to find new ones on the "bay" for less than full retail. I have both a 3mm and 7mm. Look for a hood made of the super stretchy neoprene because they will be more comfortable. Good luck, Mike

 

[Aotus]

I have a broad neck and large head, and have a nearly new neotek wetsuit that I'm never putting on again in part because of the combination of too tight around the neck and too small on my head. I was ready to swear off hoods. The pinnacle merino-lined hood (in xl I think) was a lifesaver for me. Super comfortable.

If you have a thick neck but a smaller melon than I have, you might try either stretching out the neck on a tank, or wearing one of those little bonnet hoods under the hood...you know, the ones that strap under your chin and really don't even reach the neck.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba 2]

Have you taken a look at the heat zippered hood by White's? I have a buddy who is a competitive powerlifter(19/20" neck at least) and this is the hood that he uses.