Hood Question

[Grizbear98]

I have a question that may sound stupid, but the Mares Comfort Drysuit Hood, it says drysuit, but its made of neoprene, would I be able to use that with a wetsuit too? What would the difference be? I need a hood in less than 2 weeks for a diving trip in Dutch Springs.

[Grizbear98]

also for those who have been there before, would a 5mm or a 7mm be best

[Charles R]

When it says dry suit hood usually that means there is no neck piece like a wet suit hood. dry suit hoods work with both wetsuit hoods tend to have to much material to bunch up around the neck of a dry suit.

Dry Suit hood

Wet suit hood notice material that will be tucked into the wesuit.

[Catt99]

Drysuit hoods are more or less the same thing as wetsuit hoods -- the only real difference being significantly less "flange" below the neck (i.e., the extra, longer bit of neoprene that would typically be tucked under the torso wetsuit, but has nowehere to tuck on a drysuit). On some models of wetsuit hoods, the flange can cover much of the shoulders and go down to mid chest or so -- most drysuit hoods won't extend beyond the actual neck.

Some drysuits have neoprene or other collars that rest over the neck seal of the drysuit, and under which you could tuck the much shorter flange, but there is no room for many of the traditional "wetsuit" hoods.

No idea about 5mm vs 7mm at your location -- but generally I feel thicker is beter with hoods (where you lose so much heat) provided your comfort (jaw, etc.) is not terribly compromised.

[Grizbear98]

hm so if my wetsuit has a pretty decent seal at the neck, which it does, then I would be fine with the drysuit hood? I don't want all that extra material around underneath and my seal on my neck goes up fairly high. It's going to be in the lower 50s or colder where I'm going

[Charles R]

Then I would go with the 7mm hood in those temps But I also would be diving Dry.

[Grizbear98]

haha after this experience I'm sure my next step will be a dry suit

[Empacher]

I dove DS a few days ago...It was warm (60s) above the first thermocline, but below that, it was mind numbing.. I had a hood which made it very comfortable...

[Grizbear98]

I'm completing my deep dive for my advanced open water down there, I get that shock factor when I go into colder water so I feel a hood is probably best. I think I'm going to go with the Mares Comfort 5mm drysuit hood

I just wish they had Pinnacle hoods at scuba toys

[Catt99]

Originally Posted by Grizbear98

I'm completing my deep dive for my advanced open water down there, I get that shock factor when I go into colder water so I feel a hood is probably best. I think I'm going to go with the Mares Comfort 5mm drysuit hood

I just wish they had Pinnacle hoods at scuba toys

Call 'em or email Joe. They carry other Pinnacle gear and could probably get one out to you if you have your heart set on a Pinannacle hood.