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Funny, I prefer attached hoods for the same reason... since separate hoods have to be tucked in, you can't put it, or your BC, etc. on until you're completely hooded up, and separate hoods don't pull back quite as easily as attached hoods. Likewise, you can't pull it out of your wetsuit and take it off until you can drop your BC. Huge PITA if you do a lot of beach diving that involves stairs...Missdirected:I have used all sorts of combinations. If you would like the extra layer from the hooded vest, I think that is the best. The vest gives you just a little more warmth on your chest.
What I usually use is a regular hood. I like the freedom of pulling it on and off rather quickly. I can also pop it on at the last second. That is just me though. So if all is fair in love and war, I like the hood on it's own best -
But how does your hooded vest + fullsuit compare to a fullsuit with integrated hood + hoodless vest? That was the question...dcs917:For cold water, there is no comparison to a hooded vest. I use a Bare 3mm Thermalvest with attached 7mm hood layered under a Bare 7mm Artic fullsuit. These components work really well together, and have a slick skin seal at the neck of both components where they meet to get the best seal possible.
With a seperate hood, the hood always seems to bunch up and create opportunities for cold water to trickle down your back.
Dive Safe (and warm)