Description
IST HD11 Aquastretch Hood
This IST HD11 Aquastretch Hood is 3mm thick with extended bib for tucking into your wetsuit. It thus offers better coverage around your neck area.
- Constructed of 3mm neoprene with soft Aquastretch lining
- Super stretch yoke around neck for easy donning and doffing
- Multi-panel construction for an anatomical fit
- Extended bib for optimal seal underneath wetsuit collar
- Top panel with two vent grommets allows air or water to escape
When choosing a diving hood, you will need to consider:
- Warmth. If you dive in cold water, of course, you will need a warmer hood, or rather a diving hood that keeps you warmer. If you are diving in cold water, look for neoprene diving hoods with more thickness. A 7mm hood, for example, will keep you much warmer than a 3mm diving hood. A 3mm hood made from nylon or neoprene is generally suitable only for a warm-water dive.
- Coverage. The more your hood covers your face, the warmer you will be. Dive hoods for cold water diving have bibs which tuck into the wetsuit. Cold-water diving hoods also cover quite a bit of the diver’s cheeks, jaw, chin, and forehead, so that very little of the face is exposed to the cold. If you are diving in cold waters, look for a large bib as well as maximum coverage to stay warm. If you are diving in warm waters, you will not need or want the extra coverage. Keeping less of your face covered, in fact, will improve your mobility and potentially your peripheral vision.
- Movement. If you are diving in cold water, your main priority will be to stay warm. However, if you are diving in warm water, you will be able to consider movement. Look for hoods that allow you to move less cumbersomely. Nylon hoods are ideal for maximum movement in warm water.
- Fit. Your hood must fit correctly in order to function correctly. If your diving hood is too small, it will tug at your neck, throat, and face. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it can be distraction and can inhibit natural movement on a dive. If your dive hood is too large, water will easily flow in and out of the dive hood. This will not allow your hood to trap heat effectively. On a cold-water dive, a too-large hood is dangerous as it will simply not keep you warm enough.
- Zippers. Not all dive hoods have zippers, but some have zippers along the back of the dive hood. If you have long hair, you might want to look for this style of dive hood. Zippers make it easier to put on and take off your dive hood. Zippers can also help prevent the hood from tugging on your hair when you’re putting your dive hood on or taking it off.
