Scuba Hoods

Your wetsuit covers most of your body, but what about your head? Without a hood, you're exposed to the cold and rarely comfortable. The head and neck account for a significant portion of heat loss in cold water, even in temperate conditions.

The best way to extend your scuba session and enjoy your underwater adventure is with a hood that seals your head and ears, protects against abrasion, and lets you dive more comfortably, no matter the water temperature.

At Divers Supply, we carry scuba hoods from trusted brands including Henderson, ScubaPro, Aqua Lung, Waterproof, Pinnacle, and Innovative Scuba. Our selection of quality accessories includes lightweight warm-water options as well as heavy-duty cold-water diving and drysuit hoods built for serious depth and temperature.

Materials: What Scuba Hoods Are Made From

Quality neoprene

The overwhelming majority of diving hoods are made from neoprene, the same closed-cell foam rubber used in wetsuits. Neoprene works by trapping a thin layer of water between the hood and your skin. Your body heats this layer of water, retaining it as insulation. Thanks to its flexibility, durability, and thermal efficiency, neoprene is the industry standard and remains the best all-around choice for most divers.

That said, not all neoprene is the same. Standard neoprene is solid and functional, but premium variants like Henderson's Thermoprene offer a softer, more comfortable feel with better stretch and shape retention over time. ScubaPro's Everflex hoods feature high-stretch nylon-backed neoprene that prioritizes flexibility, making them easier to put on and take off. Aqua Lung's Seawave hoods use a glide skin face seal, which is a smooth, uncovered neoprene surface around the face opening that creates a much tighter, water-resistant seal against the skin.

Drysuit materials

For drysuit diving, materials shift toward heavier neoprene constructions, and some hoods incorporate merino wool linings for extra warmth. The Pinnacle 7mm Merino Zippered Drysuit Hood is a good example: the merino lining adds thermal protection and comfort beyond what bare neoprene provides, and the zip entry makes it easy to pull the hood on and off with a full drysuit kit.

Why Wear a Scuba Hood

Thermal protection

The main reason to get a scuba hood is thermal protection. Water conducts heat away from the body roughly 25 times faster than air, and the scalp and neck are poorly insulated by nature. In water below 70°F (21°C), most divers will feel more comfortable with a hood on, even if the water feels warm. Below 60°F (15°C), a hood becomes mandatory rather than optional.

Protection from debris and the environment

But thermal protection isn't the only reason:

• Hoods protect against abrasion from rocks, coral, and wreck debris, which is useful for divers working in tight environments or near structure.
• They reduce exposure to marine stingers, including jellyfish tentacles that most divers would rather not meet at depth.
• In strong currents or surges, a well-fitted hood reduces water noise and distractions. Henderson's bibbed hoods include a flow vent in the crown that vents trapped air and regulates exhaust bubbles while diving: that’s a practical touch that prevents annoying air pockets from building up inside the hood and disturbing your trim.
• For women and divers with longer hair, hoods serve a practical purpose beyond thermal protection: they keep hair contained and out of equipment.

Thickness and Temperature: How to Match the Hood to the Dive

Scuba hood thickness is measured in millimeters and is the most direct indicator of warmth. Thinner hoods suit warmer water; thicker hoods are built for cold water diving. As a general guide:

1–2mm hoods are ideal for tropical and warm-water diving above 75°F (24°C).

Divers wear 1–2mm hoods as much for sun and abrasion protection as for warmth. The Innovative Scuba Do Rag is a lightweight option in this range, and it’s minimal, easy to pack, and perfect for divers who want basic coverage without bulk.

3mm hoods cover the widest range of recreational diving conditions, roughly 65–75°F (18–24°C)

In the 3mm category, the ScubaPro Everflex Hood 3/2 is one of the best-selling options, with a plush interior lining and excellent stretch. It's an everyday hood for temperate-water divers.

5mm hoods move into cooler water, usually 55–65°F (13–18°C).

The Henderson 5/3mm Thermoprene Bibbed Hood is a strong choice here, with glued and sewn seams, a bib that helps seal the collar against water, and Henderson's reputation for fit and comfort.

7mm hoods are for cold and very cold water below 55°F (13°C)

7mm hoods can be used for quarry diving, northern coastal diving, and technical work at depth, where water temperature drops regardless of surface conditions. The Henderson 7/5mm Thermoprene Bibbed Hood and Waterproof H1 7mm Hood with HAV System both deliver serious thermal performance at this level. The Waterproof H1 uses a Hood Air Venting System (HAVS) that actively manages trapped air inside the hood, for extra comfort and thermal efficiency on longer dives.

Bibbed vs. Non-Bibbed, and Drysuit Hoods

Non-bibbed hoods

A non-bibbed hood covers only the head and neck. It's the simpler option and works well for warm-water diving or when worn with a wetsuit that already has an integrated hood attachment.

Bibbed hoods

A bibbed dive hood extends down over the chest and upper back. It seals more effectively against cold water entering through the wetsuit's collar. For cold-water diving, a bib makes a measurable difference, not just about comfort, as it also reduces flush-through. If you're wearing a 5mm or 7mm wetsuit in cold water, a bibbed hood should be your default.

Drysuit hoods

Drysuit hoods are a separate category. These products are designed to be worn with drysuits rather than tucked under a wetsuit collar, and they include a zippered entry and a tight seal at the face and neck. The Pinnacle 7mm Merino Zippered Drysuit Hood, for example, is built for this purpose alone and won't work properly as a wetsuit hood. If you try to use a standard wetsuit hood with a drysuit, it will defeat the purpose of dry exposure protection.

Find the Right Fit

A scuba dive hood must fit snugly across the forehead, cheeks, and chin without creating pressure points or pulling uncomfortably when you turn your head.

Too loose and cold water will flush through constantly; too tight and you'll have a headache before the dive is over. Most hoods come in S, M, L, and XL sizes based on head circumference. Sizing charts vary by brand, so check the specific sizing guide for the model you're considering.

The face opening matters as much as the overall fit. A neoprene hood with a glide skin face seal, like the Aqua Lung Seawave range (available in 3/1mm, 5/3mm, and 7/4mm thicknesses), creates a near-watertight seal against the skin for significantly better cold-water performance than hoods with a fabric edge. If you dive regularly in water below 60°F, this detail is one of your top priorities.

Divers Supply carries a full range of scuba hoods, wetsuits, gloves, and socks for all types of diving. From lightweight tropical hoods to cold-water bibs and drysuit-specific designs, we only work with authorized dealers with full manufacturer warranty coverage.

Not sure which thickness or style is right for your diving conditions? Call our team at 1-800-999-3483, and our customer service will help you choose the right one for your diving expeditions!