Shopper I bought this hood and it fits fine once exchanged with the largest size. I am new to all this and am wondering what the reversed pocket around the neck area is for? I have not seen this on other hoods. It doesn't flip down so I am concerned it will act as a parachute. is there something on the Pinnacle Wetsuit that integrates with this? Thanks
BRUCE B In my opinion it is an additional seal that is joined at a seal on the Pinnacle Merino suit to give a better seal. I have a pinnacle suit, but not the Merino. So it doesn't match up with my suit,
JOSEPH R Yes on the pinnaccle wetsuits they have a slick skin neck collar that this goes up against to create the neck seal.
ALLEN S I think it is to form a watertight seal with the neck of a drysuit. I can't be certain since I dive wet.
MARK R Couldn't figure it out either. I cut off the flap and it works fine. Only thing I could come up with is that the flap worked in conjunction with a specific suit. Stay warm!
Ken T If you tuck it under your wetsuit, it will stick onto the inner layer of the wetsuit neck region, restricting water flow in and out. The design is kinda odd but it works. Just my personal thoughts.
VIN M I kind of wondered about that as well. I'm not really sure of it's official function, but it hasn't caused any problems. I've tried rolling it over the neck of the suit with mixed results. I have not had any "drag" issues from it being there. I generally use this hood with a dry suit and tuck the bib of the hood into the external collar of the dry suit. In essence, I ignore it.
Bill J It is for a more water tight seal.
PATRICK G if by reversed pocket you mean the rubber gaiter. this is to ensure a solid seal between the hood and your wetsuit regardless of brand. I have dove in this hood 50+ times now in high and low surge with not a single complaint and certainly no parachute effect as you put it. best cold water hood on the market in my opinion. happy diving
MARK V The "pocket" is a seal itself. The Pinnacle wetsuits have the same technology, which work together (but also works with other wetsuits) and does not create any problems unless you have a skinny neck like me then it tends to bunch a little around the neck line under the wetsuit causing slight discomfort (like choking) but nothing too too bad. The hood itself is SOOO worth the money and from the other hoods that others have purchased, looks and feels superior. It does make your neck stiff when on, so you'll have to turn your body to look around.
The coldest I have dove is 32 Deg F for 2-3 hours. Furthermore, you will need to release the collar of the wetsuit a little to accommodate for the hood material. The zipper is heavy duty but when zipping you should have your dive buddy zip it for you as not to catch the underlining seal. apply a little zipper wax to the zipper teeth to help lubricate and make things easier when putting on and off. Also on occasion you may have to pull the mask away from your face to allow fresh water in to cool yourself because from your chin down to your collar bone area will be really warm the longer your diving.
KEITH A The flap acts as a seal inside a wet or dry suit. If water enters around the throat this flap should catch water causing a swelling and then forming a second seal to keep more cold water to flood the suit. This should be tucked into your suits collar to work properly.
STEVEN S It's so your wetsuit can make a nice seal around your hood. Just make sure you tuck your hood into your wetsuit. This way the water doesn't go into your suit.
MARIA V Hi, I got a number of pinnacle wet suits. Yes, the double flap is to be tucked into another sort of flap that is inside the wet suit neck. Keeps the whole thing in place pretty nicely and lets less water in through the neck. But many times I just tuck the whole skirt under the suit's neck without bothering to tuck flap into flap (just like I do with other suits) and its OK, I never had a problem. Hope it helps!