Wet Suit Hoods

[tddfleming]

I am trying to put together my gear. I am stuck on the hood. How exactly are they suppose to fit? I just bought a Henderson 5m. I feel trapped in it!!!!! It covers my or close to my whole forehead and starts to cover my lower lip. I have a fairly small face and head. Just recently took my mask back to the LDS because it was giving me a headache. The owner looked at it and said I had it too tight, it was fit for a five year old. So he started to readjust it for me. He puts it back on me and now it is around my neck, just slides staight down. I knew this was going to happen. I just let him find out her himself. I had spent the morning adjusting mine and my 12 yr olds. Same thing, little head-too much strap. He keeps at it until it was where I had it, there is no room for my snorkle. I would really like to find a hood that will fit right and not look like I put in on backwards with it down around my eyes.

I really need to find something for the late Oct dive. As I have Raynauds and need to stay somewhat warm.

 

[a22shady]

I wear a 7mm hood from Bare. Dive - Products - Accessories - Hoods - Tech Dry Hood - zipper - Unisex

the hood is supposed to fit snug. If its loose or loosly fitting it will allow water to move around and doing so will cause you to get cold quicker. It shouldnt be too tight where you can not breath though. My hood fits tight and 1st time using it I hated probably first 10 times I hated but got used to it and now wont dive without it. The top of the hood is supposed to cover your whole forhead. as for the bottom part there is usually 2 stichtes in the lip area which is for trimming. If you look at the link you will see the 2 stitches I am talking about and you can trim out the face seal so it fits properlly. Make sure you have nice sharp scizzors and some to make a line so it looks nicely done. You would trim it out making an oval as to cure upward along you cheek so it looks "Factory"

 

[tddfleming]

I am guessing that comparing yours and mine. Mine is to not be cut???? I have upload the picture of the hood I bought.

Also, I suppose hoods do not come in different colors other than black???:shocked2:

Going to the quarry, it is hard to not miss place each other with everyone wearing black. It looks like a sea of penguins.

Thanks for your response

 

[tstormdiver]

It took me forever & multiple tries to find a hood that was reasonable. I finally settled on a 3/5 Henderson Hyperstretch Titanium hood. Now, my hood is a drysuit hood (no bib). Bib are a good thing to have for diving wetsuits, but I dive drysuits any way/. The biggest problems I had was finding a hood that didn't feel like it was strangling me. Any others I tried were much too tight in the throat area. The thing I really like is the hood has a smooth seal around the face area for trimming. I just trimmed out a small area to make room for the regulator & Voila! I haven't looked back since.

 

[CT Sean]

I have the same hood as you, Henderson H2 (which I love BTW). It replaced a standard Henderson hood that I found too constricting - felt like it took too much effort to point my head in any direction other than straight.

I did find that the H2 has a much smaller "face hole" than my other hood. Personally, that works well for me but I can see it being a problem for a smaller face. It is definitely NOT meant to be cut to fit.

 

[tddfleming]

The hood itself feels great, soft, not too tight, but I really need to see and put the reg in. Ok so back to the drawing board.

Thanks to all of you!

 

[a22shady]

look into getting a Drysuit hood or a hood that would allow you to trim it out to your liking

 

[Bogie]

I don't like the claustrophobic feel of hoods.

The only way that worked for me is just go to lots of dive shops and try on lots of hoods. You will find one that works better for you. Divers Unlimited and Bare hoods worked best for me but you should get one that is right for you. You can also get your scissors out and cut the face opening to customize it for your face and mask positioning. Hoods do loosen up when you get in the water. You don't want it too loose or water will leak in and make you cold.

You can get a custom hood made. I bought one from Otter Bay in Monterey Otterbaysuits.com Homepage. They also make custom wetsuits.

 

[stairman]

I finally settled on a Dive-rite hood and cut it, a little at a time, around my lower lip. I wouldnt want one with the neck or vest though. I also poked some holes in the top with a red hot nail to keep air from being trapped there. I only wear it in springs and not in the warm ocean. I had one that pushed in on my adams apple and switched to this much better one.