Hooded vest over wetsuit?

[aquaregia]

I'm thinking about getting a hooded vest for a little more warmth, but my wetsuit is already sort of snug around the chest and neck. Can I wear a hooded vest on top of the wetsuit instead of under it, or if that's just going to catch water and be a waste of time?

 

[merxlin]

Its not a waste of time, it's just not as effective as when worn underneath. You can get a lot of water flow between it and your wetsuit. Most are only 3mm, so may not make it a snug as you think it will be.

 

[Mortis65]

My Bare Arctic 7mm is designed with a 7mm hooded vest over a body suit. I needed a ton of lead to get me down, but it was warm. I really should have had something thicker than the 1mm gloves I was wearing, because my hands were numb and almost useless when I surfaced after one particular dive.

 

[Jax]

I'm thinking about getting a hooded vest for a little more warmth, but my wetsuit is already sort of snug around the chest and neck. Can I wear a hooded vest on top of the wetsuit instead of under it, or if that's just going to catch water and be a waste of time?

I love my Pinnacle 3/5 hooded vest with merino lining, but I think it would have to be next to the skin.

 

[oncor23]

I have used a Mares Hooded shorty, 5mm, over a Pinnacle 7mm fullsuit. I had a separate hood on too!!! So, the hooded shorty was a larger size than I would otherwise wear, but Leisure Pro had them on sale so I figured I would try it.

It did help some. My arms and feet were still getting cold in 50 deg water. I've since bought a used dry suit, but haven't taken any training with it...as soon as the dealer that sold it to me can offer a Saturday class...I'm there. I will add that 12 mm of hood...does keep your head warm.

 

[spectrum]

The chicken vest style wont be fully effective but it will till help. The arm openings and waist band are just not designed to be closures. Most do not have side zippers and require a chicken wing maneuver to get out of them. that may be tough in a suit, especially is it's closing in on you.

A hooded step-in shorty vest is made to be worn over and ends up being the next best thing to a drysuit it fit well.

See them here.

Pete

 

[Hank49]

I wear it under my suit. 2mil under a 3. The real warmth comes from covering my thinning haired head though.

 

[MeanGuy]

i was thinking about buying
Bare 5mm Sport Men's Step-In Hooded Vest
but im not sure if i should wear it under the wetsuit or over it? can someone tell me about it?
i started shaking under 26c water. thats 78.8 degrees in Feh.
im a skinny guy. so i get cold easily.
i'd appreciate it someone lets me know. should i go with this choice? or just buy a hooded vest "i do love the hooded shorties"
but do correct me if im wrong, since im not experienced yet.

 

[Hank49]

i was thinking about buying
Bare 5mm Sport Men's Step-In Hooded Vest
but im not sure if i should wear it under the wetsuit or over it? can someone tell me about it?
i started shaking under 26c water. thats 78.8 degrees in Feh.
im a skinny guy. so i get cold easily.
i'd appreciate it someone lets me know. should i go with this choice? or just buy a hooded vest "i do love the hooded shorties"
but do correct me if im wrong, since im not experienced yet.

All that you're gaining by the stepin, rather than just a hooded vest, is covering your backside and upper thighs. When I start to get cold, I feel it in the upper body, around my core area, not my rear end or legs. A hooded vest under a full wetsuit fits very snuggly and doesn't move and allow water to flood in from kicking or moving your body around.
If you get that cold though, maybe consider a dry suit?

 

[Stacyt38]

I wear my hooded vest over my wetsuit simply because as soon as I surface I want it off....but that's just my personal preference. I tried it under my wetsuit and couldn't really tell any difference.