Black Hoods, Booties & Gloves

Match thickness to water temperature: 1.5mm works for tropical waters, 3mm is a good balance for moderate conditions, 5mm is recommended for cold water, and 7mm is best for extreme cold. Keep in mind thicker neoprene sacrifices some dexterity, so choose 5mm if you want warmth without too much loss of movement.

A hood should fit snugly with a generous collar for tucking into your suit and a thin, skin‑tight seal around the face to limit water entry. Look for features like baffled vents to release bubbles and consider 2mm for general use or 5–6mm for cold‑water diving.

If you’re paddling or surfing in very cold conditions—below about 40°F—claw gloves help keep fingers together to retain heat better, while full‑finger gloves perform well in the 50°F–60°F range. Billabong’s claw and full‑finger lineup and 5mm surf gloves are good examples of styles tuned to those temperature ranges.

Booties should be snug across the foot to minimize flushing and maximize thermal performance; a slightly tight fit is normal, especially in thicker 5mm styles for northern waters. Round‑toe is the most common shape and many O'Neill surf boots also add anti‑slip coatings for better board control.

Good seals rely on overlapping gauntlets or long, gusseted cuffs that lay over your suit sleeve; zippered or Velcro closures help maintain that overlap and protect wrist seals on drysuits. Brands like BARE Thermal emphasize proper sizing and overlapping cuffs for 5mm–7mm accessories to reduce flushing and pressure points.