BEST SCUBA HOODS 2023

If you’re diving in chilly conditions, then this 6.5mm scuba hood from Mares is one of the best cold water scuba dive hoods on the market. It’s made from a Trilastic mix, with a low-compression neoprene at the top of the head to reduce pressure and 3mm neoprene around the face and bib. A super-elastic neoprene is used on the neck and sides of the hood to enable easy donning and removal. The interior of the scba hood is lined with Sapphire plush that’s designed to enhance heat retention, with sizes ranging from XS to XL available.

THICKNESS: 6.5 mm
MATERIALS: Neoprene
TEMPERATURE SUITED TO: Cold-water hood

The ZCCO scuba dive hood is made from premium Neoprene and super elastic Nylon fabric mixture that allows more freedom of movement. Unlike some of our other suggestions on the list, the ZCCO Diving hood has a short collar to ensure a better fit with most diving wetsuits. It comes in two different thicknesses 3 and 5mm and 5 different sizes from Small to XX-large. It’s important to note that this scuba dive hood does not have an air venting system so there might be some build up of air.

THICKNESS: 3 mm
MATERIALS: Nylon, Neoprene
TEMPERATURE SUITED TO: Warm-water hood

SEAC’s Tekno scuba hood is made from 5mm ultraflex neoprene that gives you unlimited freedom of movement. The anatomical shapes ensure it fits around your head comfortably. With the special “Air Release” vent system that releases air from the top of the hood, you won’t have any air buildup within your scuba hood. The neck has a bib that ensures a better grip between the hood and the wetsuit. The SEAC Tekno scuba hood is compatible with most wetsuits.

THICKNESS: 5 mm
MATERIALS: Neoprene
TEMPERATURE SUITED TO: Cold-water hood

The Skyone Scuba hood comes in two different thicknesses: 3mm and 5mm and it’s made of high-quality 150% stretch Neoprene for a comfortable fit while diving. The hood is glued and stitched for extra durability. It’s meant for protecting you from UV rays, for thermal protection, as well as for protection against sea lice. The Skyone Scuba Hood comes in 5 different sizes to ensure a comfortable fit around different heads.

THICKNESS: 3/5 mm
MATERIALS: Neoprene
TEMPERATURE SUITED TO: Warm and cold-water hood

Atop our scuba dive hood review is this anatomical dive hood, which combines 5mm protection in critical heat loss areas with a 3mm bib and glide-skin seals around the neck and face. It’s designed with a unique HAVS (Hood Air Venting System) that uses one-way valves to release air build-up inside the hood while all of the seals are glued and sewn with high-quality nylon thread for extra strength and durability. It’s an ideal scuba hood for diving in both warm and cold-water conditions, with sizes ranging from XS to XXL.

THICKNESS: 3/5 mm
MATERIALS: Nylon II neoprene rubber
TEMPERATURE SUITED TO: Warm and cold-water hood

Available in a variety of thicknesses, this Neo Sport scuba hood is made from an extra soft, form-fitting stretch neoprene. A custom-trim face seal combines with strongly stitched seams to prevent any water from seeping in while the high-quality neoprene allows air to pass through. This scuba hood is available in a range of sizes (from X-small to XX-large), together with 3/2mm, 5/3mm or 7/5mm models.

THICKNESS: 3/5 mm
MATERIALS: Neoprene
TEMPERATURE SUITED TO: Tropical or cold water hood

Keeping your body warm so you can dive for longer, this 7mm cold-water scuba dive hood harnesses Celliant infrared technology to conserve heat. It combines Elastek outer fabric with high loft Celliant inner fabric that reacts with your body’s heat, converting it to infrared energy and reflecting it back to your body. The scuba hood is double glued and blind-stitched for long-term use, with a trimmable face and neck for the ultimate fit. It comes complete with a mask strap grip pad on the back of the scuba hood to prevent your mask from slipping, making it one of the best scuba dive hoods available. Sizes range from S to XXL.

THICKNESS: 7 mm
MATERIALS: Nylon and Celliant-lined neoprene rubber
TEMPERATURE SUITED TO: Cold-water hood

A great warm water dive cap with a long neck, this simple wetsuit scuba hood provides a good level of protection for both scuba diving and snorkeling. The flat-lock seam system not only prevents water from entering these wetsuit scuba hoods but also reduces bunching, with an adjustable Velcro chin strap to ensure the fit you prefer. The A POINT Wetsuits Premium Neoprene 1mm Sport Cap comes in a range of sizes, from X to XL.

THICKNESS: 1 mm
MATERIALS: Neoprene
TEMPERATURE SUITED TO: Warm water hood

Dive hood materials

The majority of scuba dive hoods are made out of neoprene, which is a flexible and spongy rubber material that’s filled with bubbles. These bubbles trap the heat that’s produced by a diver’s body, preventing it from being lost to the outside water and keeping the head (and body) warm throughout the dive. It’s for this reason that neoprene has become such a popular material for dive gear.

However, you can also find thin scuba dive hoods made from lycra, which are ideal for diving or snorkeling in warm water. They protect the head from UV rays or can be worn beneath a neoprene dive hood for extra warmth. Tech materials are also being produced for superb heat retention in 7mm cold water scuba dive hoods, featuring a combination of nylon outers and synthetic-lined inners.

Cold-Water vs Warm-Water Scuba Hoods

Generally speaking, the colder the water is, the thicker the neoprene in your dive hood should be. If you’re not sure what to purchase, the general rule of thumb is that 70°F (21°C) water requires 1-3mm thickness while 60-70°F (15.5-21°C) needs 4-5 mm and 50-60°F (10-15.5°C) needs 6-7 mm thickness.

However, the effectiveness of the scuba hood’s heat retention capabilities is also determined by its design. Most cold water scuba hoods have an insulated neck and a large bib that can be tucked inside your wetsuit to eliminate water flow. Many are also designed with a snug fit around the forehead and jaw while still allowing your mask to fit and a regulator to be used comfortably. This ensures as little of the diver’s face is exposed to the cold as is logistically possible.

Aside from being thinner, warm water scuba hoods usually cover less of the face and rarely come with a large bib. Some will also be made from lycra or nylon, which are not as good at insulating as neoprene but are less cumbersome and easier to don. Even if you’re not concerned about heat loss from your head while diving in warm waters, they can still offer useful protection against UV rays, stingers, and other sea irritants.

Finding the perfect fit

A dive hood should fit snuggly over your head and around the face to prevent water from flowing. But at the same time, it should not be too tight or uncomfortable in any way. Most modern dive hoods are made using an ultra-stretchy neoprene. This unique flexibility allows it to retract easily around your head when being donned which prevents water flowing in.

While most scuba dive hoods are just slipped over the head, you can also find those with zippers along the back of the hood to make them easier to fit, as well as hook and clip straps that sit beneath the chin and secure at the side of the face. These are worth considering if you have long hair that can make donning and removing traditional dive hoods cumbersome.

 

Will a scuba dive hood prevent hypothermia?

A fall in body temperature of just a few degrees can quickly lead to hypothermia, which can be a serious risk when diving in cold-water conditions. While most scuba divers would not think about getting in cold water without a wetsuit, overlooking the importance of a dive hood is more common. It’s at the extremities of the body that we lose a lot of heat, with the head one area that releases a high percentage. This is why protecting it with a scuba hood is so important, helping to prevent heat from escaping the body and reducing the risk of hypothermia.

 

Can I still equalize while wearing a scuba hood?

Some divers find it harder to equalize during descent while wearing a scuba hood. This is due to the snug fit of the scuba hood against the outer ear, which restricts the movement of water. This can be solved by inserting a finger under the hood near the ear to ease the flow of water or by cutting a hole inside the scuba hood near the ear canal through the inner lining. This will allow the water to move freely while still leaving the outer fabric intact.

 

Do I need a hood with a bib?

Whether you need a bib or not will depend on the type and design of wetsuit you are wearing. In most cases, a scuba hood with a bib that can be tucked into your wetsuit is a useful addition to prevent water seeping inside, as well as offering another layer of warmth. But in some cases, dry suits will have an insulated neck that is not suitable to bibs and a long-necked hood is a better choice.

 

How can I maintain my dive hood?

Just as you would rinse your wetsuit with fresh water after a dive, the same should be done with your hood to prolong its life. Salt will not only degrade the hood over time but can also cause irritation the next time you wear your hood. After rinsing, leave your hood out to dry away from direct sunlight, then store it somewhere that’s not subject to significant weight or pressure.

As always, we create our content with you, fellow adventurers, in mind. So, how’d we do? Did you find this informative? Did it help you make a decision? Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear from you below. Thanks for reading and we hope your next adventure is a great one!