Best Hood that doesn't squeeze my head like a ripe melon

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Viper12161

Contributor
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Location
Rhode Island
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Hey all,

Wore a hood on my first dive this past weekend. Water was a balmy 54 degree's. I was using a local shop provided hood, and the damn thing was extremely uncomfortable. Wasn't as bad once under water, but on the surface it hurt the back of my neck and head. It was an XL and I'm fairly confident it was the right size, just the type of hood was probably the issue. I looked for info online, and everything I found that recommended great hoods the post was over 5+ years old and the hood was discontinued. The one I found that was apparently the best was a Henderson, but again, disco'd. So looking for recommendations on a good comfortable hood that I can still actually buy. I live in New England, so will pretty much always be using a hood for most dives.

Thanks!!!
 
Hey all,

Wore a hood on my first dive this past weekend. Water was a balmy 54 degree's. I was using a local shop provided hood, and the damn thing was extremely uncomfortable. Wasn't as bad once under water, but on the surface it hurt the back of my neck and head. It was an XL and I'm fairly confident it was the right size, just the type of hood was probably the issue. I looked for info online, and everything I found that recommended great hoods the post was over 5+ years old and the hood was discontinued. The one I found that was apparently the best was a Henderson, but again, disco'd. So looking for recommendations on a good comfortable hood that I can still actually buy. I live in New England, so will pretty much always be using a hood for most dives.

Thanks!!!
Which Henderson? I might just have it on the shelf...
 
While the suggested brands are all lovely, there's no reason to expect them to fit any better than the one you had. Go to a shop... or two, or three... and try them all on. Every brand, every "model", every thickness will fit and feel different. Some will be ok, some won't and some will be perfect.

Bear in mind that they need to be comfortably snug to work properly. A lose hood is useless...
 
I have a Henderson Aqualock 5/3 and although I think I have a larger than normal head, I wear a large. It is very comfortable and warm and since it is fleece lined, it is easy to don and doff.

But as syggested previously, go to an LDS and try them on. Find the one that fits YOU best.
 
I'm with @Stoo, it's a matter of fit, so the only way to see if it fits comfortably is to try out as many as you can, or get one custom made.


Bob
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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