Silly question, but as it is getting colder and I'm into my first winter paddling season, I begin to appreciate the warmth a hood gives, especially in winds and spray.
I've been using the NRS Mystery hood a few times now (http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2025) but stumbled across a sale of the Storm model (http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2029) and got that too.
Question is, do I put the hood first, then put my drytop thus covering the hood with the neck gasket or do I get my drytop first then put the hood over thus the hood covering the drytop?
Having not tried it either way yet (not cold enough yet), I suspect the hood on top (over latex gasket (and may be eithe under or over the neoprene hasket) would be the better way, but let me know if that's not the case...
Hood over, I’d say
Thinking through the consequences: if the hood underneath makes the neck gasket leaky, you risk getting water everywhere in your dry suit; if the neck gasket underneath makes the hood “leak”: well, you lose nothing: it’s essentially wet-suit gear anyway.
Over
Simplest reason for me - under risks not only leaving a fold in there that could let in water, it means more handling and stretching of the neck gasket hence shortening its lifespan. As one who blows thru neck gaskets handily, that’s a major issue here.
One note - got this as a recommendation from a diver - dust the inside with some talcum powder (you can get it unscented) as soon as you take the suit off to absorb any skin oils. This means they don’t have a chance to sit on and get into the gasket.
Over
Put the dry top on first, then put the hood on. The other way around would cause many problems.
Over.
Now which way will you go with
the hands and feet?
Thanks - Over it is. --> Hands & legs
Hands - glacier gloves for now. Will see if I need something warmer later as these do let some water thru the top when submerged and I have not had them in very cold conditions so I do not know if this would be an issue or not.
Legs - I still need to get a suitable pair of drypants, for now I make do with some regular exercise pants and synthetic layer under them as they are OK for a short unplanned swim in the 50+ degree waters around here.
These seem to have a tall waist band that could mate well with the drytop inner tube - now need to find them on sale -;) http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=25861
A pair of tall Teva booties will finish it down later in the season, right now - a $5 a pair Target water shoes do the trick nicely.