neoprene cap

[slingshot]

Anyone out there use a neoprene baseball-style cap when diving (eg. NeoSport)? I've seen them on a few occasions, people wear them with the bill facing backwards. Is the added warmth worth it? Without a chin strap, do they tend to fall off?

 

[scubamate]

I wear one only to be different and recognizable. I may keep you head a little warmer but your ears will get cold.

 

[diver_paula]

I occassionally wear a neoprene beanie when diving in warmer waters. I've dealt with sinus and allergy issues for most of my life. This can also be an issue when diving in warm waters. The beanie (skull cap with chin strap) has helped a lot in the past.

Paula

 

[sreno155]

My wife coaxed me into getting the squid cap. It is fun to wear and you do stand out with the bill flipping in the current. But I do have a problem keeping it on straight and look for it to come off if some some reason your mask has to come off or is kicked off.
Good luck and have fun
sreno

 

[Damselfish]

I wear a plain beanie with a chin strap. It's worth it for the warmth and helps keep hair out of the way if that's an issue. From a practical point of view, I'd think a bill would get in the way, and it's best to have a chin strap. If you want a cap or hat on the surface, bring a real one.

 

[lairdb]

It's a tradeoff: the chin-strap-beanie is clearly a little more effective, and much less prone to fall off; the cap is less dorky-looking. The better caps have a rubberized inside hatband that substantially reduces the chace of it coming off, but the chance is still there. Any head covering makes a big difference in warmth.

I finally decided it wasn't worth the worry of it coming off or the fuss of tying my wetsuit zip leash to it as a safety measure, and I just wear a 3mm hood all the time always.

 

[slingshot]

Thanks for the input. My wife has a cap with chin strap from a local wetsuit manufacturer who will sew on different gizmos, like devil-horns, bunny ears, etc. I've been debating which of these to get, but am a bit inclined toward the simplicity of a non-chinstrap cap just so my ears aren't covered and my chin isn't tickled (okay, tickled doesn't sound very manly...)

 

[ScubaSarus]

I wear the harvey's tropical cap at times and even put it over my hood in cold water.

 

[pjomm]

I have one... The trick I find is in how I adjust my mask strap. It rarely falls off. It makes it easier for people to find you. I like it.

Paul