Which drysuit hood to buy for water temps between 40F-60F

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Yoyoguy

Contributor
Messages
221
Reaction score
16
Location
North east
# of dives
100 - 199
Which drysuit hood to buy for water temps between 40F-60F...I don't mind wearing bulky hoods either as my current 7mm wetsuit hood (aqualock) is pretty bulky but it doesn't bother me at all.

I see there are semi-dry and full dry hoods...I will likely be getting a semi-dry as I don't want the added cost of having a dry hood attached to my suit. I may save up for a full dry down the road or with my next drysuit.
 
My buddy uses one of these in 57F water on runs of 90min plus. His feedback is toasty and he gets cold very easy. That saying a lot. Not sure about 40F!!!

HEAT Zippered Drysuit Hood
 
This one was includet with my D7 drysuit and I like it Products - Waterproof
For 40F/4C water I wouldn't go for the 5 mil. I've got one 10 mil and one 7 mil hood, both from Waterproof, and when the water's below 10C/50F I prefer the 10 mil. In fact, I love it. Waterproof makes some pretty amazing hoods and wetgloves, but make sure to buy one that's thick enough and fits snugly enough. I've tried three different sizes of hoods, and the tightest (it just avoids being uncomfortably tight) is the best in cold water.
 
I'm not a cold water guy, but the 10mm waterproof hood is pretty nice. I just picked one up recently.
 
If you're going to be diving those temps very much you might want to take a long look at a custom hood. Mine is from Otter Bay (link above).

A custom hood is nice for always fitting, no water intrusion, and easy to put your mask back on if you should lose it. You want to be able to do that with ease in those temps, and without getting it over the hood the first try. You can also get cool add-ons like a dorsal fin or otter eyes...

- Bill
 
For 40F/4C water I wouldn't go for the 5 mil. I've got one 10 mil and one 7 mil hood, both from Waterproof, and when the water's below 10C/50F I prefer the 10 mil. In fact, I love it. Waterproof makes some pretty amazing hoods and wetgloves, but make sure to buy one that's thick enough and fits snugly enough. I've tried three different sizes of hoods, and the tightest (it just avoids being uncomfortably tight) is the best in cold water.

I'm not a cold water guy, but the 10mm waterproof hood is pretty nice. I just picked one up recently.

Are you guys talking about Waterproof one that is strictly 10mm or the one that is 5/10mm?
 
5/10. The 5mil part is around the face and the skirt. The rest is a full centimeter.
 
Another vote for the 5/10 waterproof. I found it a bit warm in the high 50s and may look for a 7mm hood for water over 50F.

But I'm very warm blooded and rarely cold.
 

Back
Top Bottom