Collection: Thermal Accessories

Thermal Protection: Hoods & Extremities - Your head and hands are where you lose heat most rapidly. Choosing the right thickness for your thermal accessories is the key to maintaining focus during long bottom times.

1. The "Hood Seal" Pro-Tip - To prevent the dreaded "Brain Freeze," always ensure your mask skirt sits directly against your skin, with the hood seal pulled over the top of the mask. This prevents cold water from seeping in and keeps your forehead significantly warmer.

2. Choosing Your Thickness: The 10ºC Rule

• 5mm (The Year-Round Standard): For most of the year in the Irish Sea, a 5mm hood is the ideal balance of warmth and flexibility. It provides enough insulation for surface temperatures while allowing for comfortable neck movement and easy ear clearing.
• 7mm−8mm (The Winter Warrior): Once the water temperature drops below 10∘C, a 5mm hood can start to feel thin. Moving to a thicker 7mm or 8mm hood (like those from K01) is the best way to protect your core temperature during the colder months.

3. Gloves: Neoprene vs. Dry

• 3mm−5mm Neoprene: Perfect for summer shore dives where dexterity is more important than pure heat retention.
• Dry Glove Systems: Essential when the water drops toward its winter lows. They keep your hands at core temperature and allow for the tactile "feel" needed to operate gear with precision.

Oceanauts Standard: We suggest a 5mm hood for most dives here in Ireland, but we strongly recommend keeping a 7mm or 8mm hood in your gear bag for winter diving. The extra insulation is a game-changer for your gas consumption and overall comfort in the cold.