9 Best Wetsuit Surf Hoods of 2024
Surfers who are braving cold waters will tell you how important their hood is to increase their time spent in the water. Protecting your head and ears from cold waters is important to prevent issues like surfer’s ear and those killer ice cream headaches. Here at Cleanline Surf, we proudly present our list of the 9 best surf hoods for 2024.
Best Wetsuit Surf Hoods Reviewed
Best overall hood: O'Neill Psycho Hood 1.5mm Hood: $60.95
Best eco-friendly hood: Patagonia R3 Yulex Insertable Hood: $75.00
Most affordable hood: Billabong Furnace 2mm Hood: $59.95
Best hood with coverage: Manera Magma 2mm Hood: $99.00
Quick drying hood: Rip Curl Flashbomb 2mm Hood: $69.95
Best affordable hooded vest: O'Neill Thermo-X Neo-1mm Hooded Vest: $99.95
Warmest hooded vest: Patagonia - Yulex Water Heater Hooded Vest: $149.00
Best minimalist cap: O'Neill Squid Lid 3mm Hood: $60.95
Best neoprene-free cap: Patagonia R3 Yulex 3mm Cap: $65.00
O’Neill Psycho 1.5mm Hood - $60.95
“Best overall hood”
Pros
- Anatomical fit
- Comfy materials
- Wind-proof exterior
Cons
- Initially fits snug
- Short neck skirt
- Floppy bill while duck diving
Our Take: The O’Neill Psycho Hood has been around for many years, keeping surfers comfortable and warm in the coldest waters. The Psycho hood sports a windproof smooth skin exterior. On the inside of the hood, you’ll find TechnoButter FireWall found in their Top of the Line Psycho Tech suits. The Smooth skin combined with the TechnoButter FireWall hood will keep you toasty warm.
The O’Neill Psycho Hood has an adjustable cinch to ensure a secure and custom fit. The bill is longer and sturdier than most to help keep the sun out of your eyes if that is an issue. This hood is made with an anatomical fit to keep your range of motion and not hinder you during your sessions. The Psycho Hood will surprise you with its flexibility and durability, helping you to get the most out of your money.
For surfers in colder water, check out the O'Neill Psycho 3mm Hood.
Patagonia Yulex 2mm Hood - $75.00
“Best eco-friendly hood”
Pros
- Eco-friendly materials
- 1.5mm insertable neck bib
- Internally taped seams
- Durable
Cons
- Small face opening
Our Take: A top pick for those looking to reduce their footprint, the Patagonia Yulex Insertable Hood has many features that make for a top-quality hood. Constructed from the lighter and stretchier 3mm 85% natural rubber and 15% synthetic rubber, the Yulex Insertable Hood feels comfortable and unrestrictive once positioned correctly. The Patagonia Yulex Hood comprises three panels that conform to the head, and when paired with the adjustable cord, the fit becomes snug and secure.
The coolest feature of the Patagonia Yulex Insertable Hood is the 1.5mm neck bib that tucks into your suit. This extra insert prevents flushing and creates a better seal with your suit. The hood is internally taped to help keep water out and keep you warm.
Billabong Furnace 2mm Hood - $59.95
“Most affordable hood”
Pros
- Insertable neck collar
- Warm liner
- Made with recycled materials
Cons
- Cinch cord can get in the way
- Small face opening
Our Take: The Billabong Furnace 2mm hood contains features that make a big difference in the comfort and performance of the hood. The surf hood is lined with Furnace Graphene, making it warmer, stronger, and 50% lighter than traditional fiber liners. This liner will keep you warmer and assist in increasing the durability of the hood.
The Furnace hood has an extra fabric collar to insert into your wetsuit to create a better seal. With all these great features, you can be confident the Billabong Furnace Hood will keep you warm in the coldest sessions.
Manera Magma 2mm Hood - $99.00
"Best hood with coverage"
Pros
- Double flap insertable neck collar
- Warm liner
- Rigid bill
Cons
- Expensive
- Exterior smooth skin can nick easily
Our Take: Are you looking for the best of the best that’s made by a brand known for producing quality surf gear? Look no further than the Manera Magma. When it comes to hoods with an insertable neck collar, it doesn’t get any better than this. The double flap mechanism - one stays outside the wetsuit while the other tucks inside - ensures that you stay warm with the hood securely in place.
In the past, the Manera hoods fit some folks uncomfortably snugly. But Manera took the feedback to heart, and made some updates with this newest iteration. While the Glide-skin neoprene provides an extra barrier against the wind, be gentle since the material can tear if brushed up against a sharp edge like a fingernail. Aside from that, everything about this hood screams quality, warmth, and comfort.
Rip Curl Flashbomb 2mm Hood - $69.95
"Quick drying hood"
Pros
- Toasty warm liner
- Quick drying material
- Seam-sealed
Cons
- Short neck skirt
Our Take: The Rip Curl Flashbomb 2mm Hood packs a ton of warmth in a thin hood. At 2mm, this hood is relatively minimal and comfortable. The Flashbomb has an E6 liner that is 20% stretchier than the older E5 with the same quick-drying properties. The chin cup uses a 3D-modeled pattern to provide a solid seal and maximum comfort to keep your sessions longer.
If 2mm isn’t warm enough for your needs, the Heatseeker 3mm Hood will help keep you even warmer. The Heatseeker shares much of the technology of the Flash Bomb but is geared toward even colder conditions. Our only gripe is that the short neck skirt doesn't tuck into your wetsuit, which can be a dealbreaker for those extra cold surf sessions.
Surf Vest Options
If you want to increase the temperature range you can use your suit in, a hood with a built-in vest can be the right product. Adding head and core insulation can help mitigate the need for a thicker mm suit. With the hood built into the vest, the chances of flushing are decreased as well. Below we have a couple of our favorite Hooded Vests.
O’Neill Thermo-X Neo-Hooded Vest - $99.95
“Best affordable hooded vest”
Pros
- Max base layer insulation
- Water repellency
- Soft fleece material
Cons
- Only made in men’s fit/sizing
Our take: The O’Neill Thermo-X Neo-Hooded Vest is a great option for those looking for a minimal hooded vest that will significantly increase their warmth during their sessions. The Thermo-X material is a wool fleece that provides extra insulation in the body and has a 1mm hood attached to the Thermo-X insulated vest.
The vest sports 4-Way stretch fabric, water repellency, strategic seam placement, and quick-drying capabilities. The Neo Hood provides warmth and comfort and no interference with the neck of your wetsuit due to the super low neck.
Patagonia Yulex Water Heater Hooded Vest - $149.00
“Warmest hooded vest”
Pros
- Yulex - neoprene free
- Neck baffle prevents flushing
- Durable construction
Cons
- Only made in men’s fit/sizing
- Expensive
Our Take: The Patagonia Yulex Water Heater Hooded Vest is a great option for those looking to significantly improve their suits’ thermal range. The Yulex Hooded Vest is made out of Yulex, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 80% during manufacturing. The body of this hood is 1.5mm attached to the 2mm hood. This design will create a better seal with your suit, preventing flushing; and keeping you warmer and out longer during your sessions. If you are looking for a hood to maximize your total warmth, this is the pick for you.
Surf Cap Options
Some surfers may be looking for a more minimal head covering that provides protection from the elements but allows more freedom of movement of the head. A surf cap is a great option that covers the ears and top of the head but only has a chin strap to keep it seated on the wearer's head. This added warmth can help make your sessions more comfortable and warm.
O’Neill Squid Lid 3mm - $60.95
“Best minimalist cap”
Pros
- Comfortable fit
- GBS seams
- Stable visor for sun protection
Cons
- No neck collar
Our Take: The O’Neill Squid Lid Wetsuit Hood is a simple and effective way to prevent those pesky brain freezes during sessions. Made of UltraFlex Neoprene, the cap forms to the wearer's head for a comfortable fit. The seams are glued and blind-stitched for maximum durability. The interior of the cap is an insulating Firewall. The exterior is made of wind-resistant smooth skin. If you need extra warmth or a hood liner, the O’Neill Thinskin 1.5mm Hood will give you that extra comfort in the harshest conditions.
Patagonia R3 Yulex 3mm Cap - $65.00
“Best neoprene-free cap”
Pros
- Yulex - neoprene free
- Spot taping
- Easy to layer under a helmet
Cons
- Brim can be floppy
Our Take: The Patagonia R3 Yulex 3mm Cap provides warmth for your head and ears while remaining very minimal. Constructed out of Yulex and paired with a quick-drying 95% polyester (51% recycled)/5% spandex inverted microgrid thermal lining, the R3 surf cap will keep you toasty warm and comfortable. The three-panel construction form fits the wearer's head for a snug and secure fit. The R3 Yulex Cap has a Supratex brim to shield to help cut sun glare and spot taping to help with durability.
Relevent Blogs We've Written
- Surf Wetsuit Glove Guide - Take a deep dive into the different types of gloves, materials, etc...
- 7 Best Wetsuit Surf Gloves For 2023 - Want to know what our go-to gloves are? Read further for our favorites.
- Surf Wetsuit Hood Guide - Like the glove guide listed above, check out our guide on all things surf hoods.
- 7 Best Surf Boots For 2024 - Looking to complete your cold water setup? Read more to learn about the best surf boots on the market.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, after this review, you can find a surf hood that works well for you. When the temperature drops, a proper hood can make or break your session. When you're venturing into colder waters, you might need gloves too. Check out our Surf Glove Guide to find the perfect pair.
If you have any questions about any of the hoods on our site or need sizing advice, read through our Surf Wetsuit Hood Guide, feel free to reach out to us with a comment below, an email to support@cleanlinesurf.com, or give us a call at 1-888-546-6176. Stay warm!.
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SarahOriginally from the rolling hills of New Hampshire, Sarah now calls Oregon home. She started at Cleanline Surf in 2019 and, since then, has grown into the role of the Customer Service and Blog Manager. When she’s not at work helping dial in customers with surf gear, Sarah is happiest out adventuring. From mellow summer surf sessions to winter splitboard missions to ripping down her favorite mountain bike line, Sarah is always ready to go at the drop of a hat. |
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