Should I Buy a Hooded Wetsuit or Not?
The seasons can't stop the fun for people who love to do recreational water sports. If you're one of them, I'm pretty sure that you'll risk riding the surfboard, the whitewater kayak, or any other watercraft even if the weather is a bit cold. Braving cold waters is fine so long as you have the right equipment. Speaking of the right equipment what you might need is a hooded wetsuit.
There's no doubt that you should consider buying one. This article will be a guide that will educate you about what a hooded wetsuit is, what are the different types, and what are its pros and cons.
WHAT IS A HOODED WETSUIT?
Wetsuit is a type of diving suit that's suitable for doing water sports such as surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, etc. A hooded one offers more foolproof protection against the cold compared to normal wetsuits because it's much more efficient at preventing heat loss and water from coming in. Usually, a hooded wet suit comes with a tightly sealed neck, wrist, and ankles.
Also, it comes with a hood as the name implies. The hood of a hooded wetsuit isn't just a simple ornament. It's designed to retain and circulate heat from the head to the body. For surfers, the hood is very important for surfing in cold water. It helps to prevent the development of a surfer's ear.
Most of Our Two Pieces Are Hooded Wetsuits
The hooded wetsuit also uses a thicker neoprene material. Hooded wetsuits that you can buy in the market today come in 3mm, 5mm, or 7mm thickness. Therefore, a hooded wetsuit is relatively thicker than normal wetsuits. It might feel heavy or bulky. Nevertheless, don't worry because this won't cause discomfort.
Is a hooded wetsuit more comfortable than a normal wetsuit? I can't say that really. However, I'm certain about one thing. The hooded wetsuit is cozier than normal wetsuits. Thus, wearing it in cold days provides more warmth than normal wetsuits. On the other hand, you might not want to wear this on hot days because it's uncomfortably too warm.
When do you wear a hooded wet suit? I say that you should consider using it whenever the temperature drops to 15 degrees Celsius and lower. If you have trouble understanding what I mean, then think of using a hooded wetsuit whenever it becomes icy cold.
TYPES OF HOODED WETSUIT
Here's a brief description of the types of hooded wetsuit that you can buy.
Single Lined Neoprene
This is a type of hooded wetsuit that uses neoprene with nylon on one side while the other side looks rubbery. It works perfectly for surfing in cold windy conditions. A hooded wetsuit that uses mesh for its chest and back panels do well in preventing the core from losing heat. However, one disadvantage is it's not very flexible and easily gets damaged.
Double Lined Neoprene
This is a type of hooded wetsuit that uses neoprene with lining both inside and outside. This one excels in providing comfort. Also, it is more durable. However, this kind of wetsuit has one disadvantage. It doesn't do well in preventing chill from affecting the core compared with single lined neoprene wetsuits.
Custom
This one comes with a hood that the user can opt to remove or install. The user can opt to use this as a normal wetsuit or as a hooded wetsuit as the situation calls for. However, this one is more like a jack of all trades master of nothing. Its performance is average and can only be worn when the weather isn't very cold.
PROS AND CONS OF HOODED WETSUIT
Hooded Wetsuit Provides Excellent Protection
A hooded wetsuit provides a lot of protection - not only against the coldness but also from dangerous sea lives or rocky sea beds. The neoprene that's used for making it is very thick. That's why it does well from preventing debris, sand, or the surfboard itself from scratching your skin.
Hooded Wetsuit Prevents The Cold From Affecting Performance
Dizziness, cramps, and headaches are more likely to happen whenever you're surfing or diving in cold water. This is why you should consider wearing a hooded wetsuit that strives to keep your body temperature optimal. With this on, you'll be less likely to suffer from accidents that cold temperature causes. Therefore, you'll display consistent performance no matter how cold the water is.
Hooded Wetsuit Is Harder to Wear Than Normal Wetsuit
Wearing a hooded wetsuit is harder than wearing a normal wetsuit. This is due to the thicker neoprene material that it has. Difficulties that you might experience might have to do with the fitting of the arm and leg portions. Nevertheless, fitting this on your body won't take too long.
FINAL WORDS: WHICH IS BETTER: HOODED WETSUIT OR NON-HOODED WETSUIT?
There's no definite answer to this question really. This depends upon the situation. If you're planning to surf or do other water sports in the cold, wearing a hooded wetsuit is the best option. On the other hand, a non-hooded wetsuit is the best option for surfing or scuba diving in warm weather.
That being said, remember to wear a hooded wetsuit if you're heading out during unusually cold weather. After all, spending a bit of money on buying one is better than experiencing an injury that will alter your life.