A men’s hooded wetsuit is worn during extremely cold conditions where warmth and protection are the highest priority. In general, watersports enthusiasts choose a men’s hooded wetsuit for water temperatures between 4 and 11 degrees Celsius. Especially during winter, early spring, and late autumn, you really notice how much difference an integrated hood makes. Water temperature is not the only important factor though. Strong wind, rain, low air temperatures, and little sunshine can make conditions on the water feel much colder than expected. Especially while kitesurfing, wind constantly hits your head, ears, and neck, causing you to cool down much faster.

Your head naturally loses a lot of body heat. During cold sessions, your head, ears, and neck are often the first places where you feel cold. A men’s hooded wetsuit prevents this by connecting the neoprene hood directly to the wetsuit itself. This creates a much better seal and allows less cold water to enter. An integrated hood is usually warmer than a separate neoprene hood because there is no gap between your wetsuit and hood. Everything also stays in place much better during crashes, duckdives, or long sessions in strong wind and cold water.

Hooded wetsuits almost always come in thicker versions such as a 5/4mm men’s wetsuit or 6mm men’s wetsuit. These wetsuits are thick enough for harsh winter conditions where retaining warmth is essential. Around the world, hooded wetsuits are especially popular at cold-water spots where riders frequently need a hood. Think of destinations such as Scandinavia, Iceland, and Canada, where a hooded wetsuit is extremely useful. In places such as Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom, many kiters also choose a hooded wetsuit during winter.

The moment you need a hood or hooded wetsuit, you will almost always want neoprene boots and neoprene gloves as well, to fully protect yourself against the cold. If you prefer a more allround wetsuit setup, it is recommended to buy your hood separately from your wetsuit. This gives you more comfort during sessions when you do not need to wear a hood.

At Kitemana, we also offer winter sets. These sets include a surf hood, neoprene boots, and neoprene gloves for a better price compared to buying everything separately. This way, you are fully prepared for winter kitesurf sessions in one go!

Check out our neoprene winter sets collection