Balaclava?

[dermot]

Planning on getting wet this winter, we have light weight beenies and balaclavas for underneath helmets,
but are wanting to be as un-cold as possible given we know we are going to get cold....

Looked at NRS storm hood, recommended by Kayak Academy:

Products Matching Balaclava | NRS

Find all the gear you need to get on the water | NRS. From paddling-specific apparel, top-of-the-line inflatable rafts, SUPs and kayaks, to the latest overnight gear, NRS has you covered.

www.nrs.com

and MEC has:

MEC Fusion Neoprene Surf Hood - Unisex | MEC

Fusion Neoprene Surf Hood: Don’t miss out on the perfect set because you went in early to warm up. Pull on this warm hood, drop in and earn the ride of the day. The 4mm neoprene tucks un

www.mec.ca

but it's not avb in any size but XL (would work for moi, but not for Eva...)

is there any other / better option than the NRS?
reviews on the NRS mentioned it running smaller size than expected, and needing to cut off the neck to fit a dry suit
any thoughts on this one?

 

[JohnAbercrombie]

You could check seaskin.co.uk or Reeds Chillcheater, also in the UK. I've mail ordered from both of them and had good service.

 

[CaliPaddler]

I love the NRS Storm hood. I don't understand the comment about needing to trim it. The collar lays between the latex gasket and the neoprene overcuff of my Kokatat drysuit.

 

[cougarmeat]

I have an NRS cap. It is neoprene, has a short bill, covers head and ears with a snap under the chin to hold it on. So not as robust and the Fusion Surf Hood - but also not as bulky. No need to interact with the collar of a drysuit. I don’t see it on their website now, but it is more like the Storm Cap than the Storm hood. From what I’ve read, you’ll want to be sure the hood works with any helmet you might be using. The cap is probably thinner so less size differential between wearing it and not as far as helmet fit.