Among all the different equipment that facilitates an underwater dive, the diving hood is probably one of the more important to retain your body heat, and probably slightly more important than why you should wear gloves.
The name ‘hood’ gives away what this equipment is. However, its importance is more often than not understated and other times, underestimated. Contrary to popular belief, diving hoods don’t exist to give a complete look to the dive gear. But, if you do happen to like looking the part you HAVE to check out these 4 Must-Have GoPro Accessories.
One fact that newer divers can forget is how the water will rob their bodies of heat. As a matter of fact, even though you lose heat all over when you are underwater approximately 20% to 40% of your body heat is escaping through your head. Click here to learn more about warming yourself back up after a cold swim.
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10 Best Scuba Hoods
When heat escapes, your body has to work that much extra to keep your temperature up and replace the lost heat. You will end up feeling cold and exhausted and this holds true whether you are swimming in cold water or warm water.
In such a situation, it becomes extremely important to insulate the part from where heat is escaping – your head. Consequently, investing in a top-quality hood for your gear isn’t something that you can neglect. Here are some of the best to consider.
1. Neo Sport Multi-Density Wetsuit Dive Hoods
The first feature that makes the Neo Sport Multi-Density wetsuit hooded vest stand out, is that it’s designed to be part of both underwater gear for divers as well as surface gear for water sports.
Available in three thicknesses of the material it will suit warm water as well as cold water for maximum comfort while you dive. It also features a flow vent that will eliminate any trapped air there might be from the regulator exhaust.
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Fitted with a face seal, that you can tailor to your face by trimming when you first receive it, to prevent water from entering the hood itself reducing the ballooning effect for a much better anatomical fit that enhances your dive not just in function but also comfort.
This neoprene hood is water-resistant and flexible even when exposed to harsh temperatures. A high-quality product that has glued and stitched seams for extra durability and protection at an affordable price to suit any person’s scuba gear list of wants.
2. DiNeop Wetsuit Scuba Dive Hood
These are another scuba hood for wetsuits that are made of neoprene and also cover the neckline. Offering a thickness of 3mm, the DiNeop Wetsuit Scuba head cover is perfect for everything from kayaking, sailing, and canoeing, to surfing, snorkeling, and any other water sports.
Offering flexibility, and soft comfort. Designed with UV protection from the sun and a face seal, that can be tailored to your face by simply trimming when you first receive it.
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This will protect and keep your head and neck warm and therefore your body temperature up allowing for longer dive times. It features a 150% high stretch that has excellent recovery and has glued and blind stitched seams that are smooth for a comfort fit.
The slip-on design and the smooth flat seams make it easy to put on and take off and also ensure a longer life and durability. All at a very affordable price.
3. Skyone Scuba Wetsuit Hoods
Also made from neoprene the Skyone is one of the scuba diving hoods that come in two thicknesses of 3mm and 5mm allowing for the choice of warm water or cold water possible, it offers UV protection and protection from coral, jellies, and sea lice among other things.
Just like the Neo Sport, the Skyone also features an integrated air vent for easy removal of air bubbles without allowing water to accumulate inside the hood. Just the option to add to your scuba dive gear.
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Quite often, there’s one size that fits all. However, the Skyone hoods come in various sizes from small to double XL which can be customized to an individual’s face by simply trimming the face seal that’s provided. And it’s covered by a money-back guarantee.
4. DiNeop Neoprene Scuba Dive Hoods
Just like the other DiNeop on our list, these DiNeop are Neoprene wetsuit hoods with the material being a thickness of 3mm and are the bibbed type that is designed to cover the neck fully and tucked into wetsuits to avoid any break in the coverage.
It’s suitable for men and women alike and comes in all the usual sizes from small to XXL so you will always be able to get a size that is comfortable for you. The durable and stretchable nature makes it versatile so it can be used for all sorts of water adventure activities and water sports.
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However, these wetsuit hoods are made with a form-fitting design that offers few restrictions during a dive or while snorkeling or surfing and has UV protection to protect you from the sun.
This is extremely comfortable to wear and easy to put on and take off. With a 150% high stretch with excellent recovery, glued and blind stitched seams, it is also very good value for the price and on top of all this, you are covered by the money-back guarantee.
5. IST Lycra Spandex Dive Hoods
This scuba hood is made of Lycra spandex that is preferred by some scuba divers because of the snug fit it provides. The hood will mold to your head’s shape.
Moreover, owing to the bibbed design, it extends all the way to the chest ensuring that when you tuck it into your wetsuit, there’s no break in cover and no space for the heat to escape or the water to enter.
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The IST hood features flat-lock stitches that have fewer layers so that it is even more comfortable, lasts longer, and decreases the chance chafing or skin irritation. It also boasts of the protective cover that can provide safety against aquatic stings as well as UV rays from the sun.
It is worth noting here that this does also come in the classic black as well as pink camouflage and the blue marble shown here suitable to add to anyone’s scuba gear.
6. O’Neill Men’s Diving Hood
While the first five hoods mentioned on this list are unisex, the scuba dive hood from O’Neill is tailored specifically for men. Made up of 100% super stretch neoprene, it offers ultimate flexibility for a diver underwater.
This is the bibbed type and has a hood thickness of 7mm so it is the best scuba hood for a cold water dive on our list so far. This thickness is still flexible and comfortable and has no trouble helping to keep your body temperature during your dive by preventing heat loss from your head.
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The varying thickness on the front, neck, and back ensures that you still have all the important areas are protected against the cold water while maintaining maneuverability and adjusting seamlessly with the rest of the scuba gear.
O’Neill offers a 90-day warranty. For the quality, durability, and thickness that these wetsuit hoods have they do come at a higher price point than the others featured so far.
7. ScubaPro Everflex Diving Hood
ScubaPro has designed two separate hoods for wetsuits – a 5/3mm option suitable for temperate waters and another 3/2mm for warmer waters. The material used for the ScubaPro Hood’s exteriors is 100% Everflex Neoprene whereas, on the inside, stretchy silverskin minimizes the water transfer.
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Making a good fit and keeping the head and ears comfortable. It’s intended to fit over any wetsuits neck collar. Available in different sizes it is an affordable option but the price will vary with the size.
8. Cressi Solo Dive Hood
While most diving hoods can be used in either warm or cold waters, Cressi’s Solo is intended to be used in colder waters. Neoprene is a thick padded fabric that can withstand the tremendous weight.
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Using thick or multiple layers of neoprene provides more insulation and hence, the 2mm hood features neoprene on not only the outline but also the chin. The hood is contoured which means it’ll fit better. The glued seams and flat-lock stitches are thrown in to enhance the diver’s comfort.
9. ScubaPro Everflex Bibbed Dive Hood
ScubaPro provides multiple hood options for different kinds of divers. This one is a semi-dry 6/5 mm with bib for extra warmth when in cold waters. The other option is a semi-dry 6/4 without the bib.
100% Everflex neoprene offers maximum comfort and durability and is perfect for cold water divers so if that is you go on and add this to your scuba gear.
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The bib will go down to your chest and ensure that there’s no area exposed from where water can enter the suit. Hence, the ScubaPro Everflex Bibbed Hood is more suited for colder water dives.
For all this warmth this option does have a slightly higher price point than some of the others but with the ScubaPro brand, you know the investment will give what you expect.
10. Bare ExoWear Wetsuit Hood
Last but not least on our best dive hood reviews is this Bare ExoWear that provides maximum thermal protection. The OMNIRED Infrared Technology used in the hood conserves the heat emanating from your body and converts it into infrared energy to warm your head body.
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The 3-layer fabric is equipped to dry quickly, wick moisture, repel water, and be windproof. So, this Bare’s option is ready for use for any water sports, whether you’re going canoeing in the Amazon or underwater in the Great Barrier Reef!
For a quick recap, Here are our top best 3 diving hoods;
- Long-Lasting Warmth
- 30 day Money Back
- Customizable Fit
- Maximize Performance
- 100% Stretch
- 35 Degrees & Up
- Flatlock
- Improved comfort
- Protective Coverage
- Anit Chaffe construction
- 3 Trendy styles
- Bibbed Design
