I will probably try the cap first with longer term plan to get that balaclava.
Neoprene hood feels horrible.
@SpaceSputnik said:
I will probably try the cap first with longer term plan to get that balaclava.
Neoprene hood feels horrible.
It’s got fuzzy inside. Personally on land I never wear hats at work outdoors I hate them.
I like baseball caps. Feel naked without one on me anytime I go outside.
Does this look similar to the Kokatat balaclava?
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5042-100/Capilano-Paddling-Hood
That’s what I have. It’s a decent product.
If I’m out touring in the winter and just wearing a normal winter hat, I’ll keep a neoprene hood tucked in my lifejacket, so if I swim or get separated from the boat I have a warm backup. Ditto if I’m using pogies and no gloves, keep a pair of gloves tucked in my lifejacket. If I plan on getting my head wet, surfing or rolling, I wear earplugs and the neoprene before heading out.
https://www.nrs.com/product/15046.01/nrs-storm-cap
I put my drysuit on for the first time yesterday. It was warm (air temp 60’s. water temps about the same ?) so no insulation - polypro long sleeve tee shirt and some nylon hiking pants. Eventually I’ll add a fleece liner, and when it gets really cold some polypro long underwear.
Around 50 degrees I switch to a medium-weight wicking layer. Depending on the changing situation (if there’s no privacy) I might substitute a pair of softshell pants on the bottom so I don’t have to change out of them, On top of the mid-weight layer I’d add an extra merino wool zip pullover or if I thought the swim might be longer a 1/2 zip North Face Thermoball pullover, which would probably take me down to the low 40s for a short swim. Your thicker fleece might be about the same.
I can’t urge you strongly enough to swim-test your setup. You’ll be amazed how quickly you’ll figure out if your insulation is right or your guess at the actual water temp is wrong. I also carry a small thermometer on a string. As I’m getting my boat off the rack and gear together I double-check the water temperature.
^ yep, done the test and will do more. I know what you mean. Also carried a thermometer with me until I stepped on it 
Got to get another one.
@GrumpySquatch said:
… extra merino wool zip pullover or … 1/2 zip North Face Thermoball pullover…
It may be over cautious, but I avoid insulating layers with exposed zippers under my dry suit. I’m not willing to take the chance that any part of the zipper could damage the suit.
I am paranoid about zippers too. Also remove a thin necklace I wear against skin. It has my baptism cross on it, my wife got upset with me not having that while on water so I guess I need to switch it to a rope of some sort