Why do sailing jackets have such awful hoods?

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fredrussell

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Here’s one for you. You know outdoor jackets, the ones designed for keeping you dry when it’s raining and your out on the hills. Ever noticed that they have really well designed hoods that DON’T roll up and pack away and thus are there instantly when you need them? That have a wired peak to keep the damn thing from flapping across your face in a breeze and to help keeping rain off your bonce.
Which genius decided that sailing jackets should have tucked away flimsy hoods? I have an expensive Helly Hansen offshore jacket. They’ve put a lot of effort into every feature except the hood, which is crap.

So, why do sailing jackets have such awful hoods?
 
My 14 year old Helly Hansen jacket had a flimsy rubbish hood. It worked if you wore a baeball cap underneath it. My new Musto one has a good hood so they have probably improved over time. I did try on several jackets from various makers when I got the new one as they are all slightly different and you need one that works for you, Especially how the face flap works and fits as this can be annoying if it does not fit correctly..
 
My Henri-LLoyd with the clear view sides is excellent. SWMBO's Gill jacket not so good. The hood is too small for wear with a wooly hat.
 
Do any of the manufacturers make a jacket with a hood that doesn’t roll up and tuck away? When you’ve fallen in the drink and you’re up against it, that is not the best time to be faffing around trying to untuck your usefully hi-vis hood.
What about wired peaks? Any of them do them? Every decent outdoor coat I’ve had (many) has a wired peak. That’s what I’m after.
 
I much prefer a hat, that moves with my head, to a hood that's fixed to my shoulders. So I'm quite happy with the roll-away kind, that almost always stays rolled away.

Staying out of the rain, under a sprayhood or whatever, is even better, though :)

Pete
 
I agree that hoods are often poor on sailing gear, but I hate hoods which don't pack away.

When walking in the hills if it doesn't pack away it blows around your head and makes an irritating flapping noise. So I'm searching for a decent new shell where the damn hood does pack away, as it did on my much worn but now 10 years old Berghaus. Instead all one finds nowadays are light semi-shower proof things as worn by geography teachers on field trips, not real gear for real expeditions, even when they cost £450 (I sent it back).
 
I think that it is hard to design a hood that suits everyone, since we all have different lengths of neck, degrees of stoop, or amount of hair. My Musto hood has a little padding/insulation but the peak flops over my eyes unless I wear a woollen hat, but I don’t hold Musto responsible for this. I can’t remember ever rolling a hood away, so would be content with one that didn’t.
 
My old Gill jacket had an adequate hood, my new Musto one is also adequate. Both roll away and that’s where they spend most of their time. The only time I use them is when I’ve forgotten to take a decent hat with me and it buckets down. I’ve got a collection of hats from floppy sun hats to insulated ones with peaks and ear flaps to cover most weather conditions that I wear in preference to hoods. I find hoods cut off too much peripheral vision, interfere with what little hearing I have left and are not very comfortable, whereas the right hat keeps my head warm and dry with few difficulties. On the odd time water attempts to get down my neck, a small towel keep the worst at bay.
 
I agree on the hat thing, my preference too. I have an ancient Berghaus Mera Peak coat that for me is the benchmark hood design . The peak projects 100mm from your forehead and is wired so as to form a parka-like 'tunnel' that only near horizontal rain will get through. Terrible peripheral vision I accept, but it gives great protection from the elements. My Helly Hansen coat, whilst beautifully designed in general, has an unwired peak on the hood that flattens across my eyes in a head wind, and it doesn't project nearly far enough for my liking. I wonder if a hood's ability to roll up precludes having a stiffening wire.
 
fredrussell said:
Just out of interest, wired peak?
Click to expand...
No, only my Mountain Equipment kit has a wired peak, but a stiff brim that does the same job.

There is nothing stopping you adapting any kit, I do it all the time having short legs and arms. Find somebody who is good with a sewing machine.
 
A peaked hat does the same as a wire surely. And won't rust when seawater sploshes onto it.

And keeps your head warm and turns the hood when you turn your head.

Also, if the hood is tucked away in the collar it won't always get caught up with your lifejacket or harness.
 
fredrussell said:
Do any of the manufacturers make a jacket with a hood that doesn’t roll up and tuck away? When you’ve fallen in the drink and you’re up against it, that is not the best time to be faffing around trying to untuck your usefully hi-vis hood.
What about wired peaks? Any of them do them? Every decent outdoor coat I’ve had (many) has a wired peak. That’s what I’m after.
Click to expand...

Surely your life jacket comes with a spray hood for that purpose. And it is very different, as it needs a clear section which covers the front of your face to stop drowning
 
fredrussell said:
I agree on the hat thing, my preference too. I have an ancient Berghaus Mera Peak coat that for me is the benchmark hood design . The peak projects 100mm from your forehead and is wired so as to form a parka-like 'tunnel' that only near horizontal rain will get through. Terrible peripheral vision I accept, but it gives great protection from the elements. My Helly Hansen coat, whilst beautifully designed in general, has an unwired peak on the hood that flattens across my eyes in a head wind, and it doesn't project nearly far enough for my liking. I wonder if a hood's ability to roll up precludes having a stiffening wire.
Click to expand...

Wear that then
 
dunedin said:
Surely your life jacket comes with a spray hood for that purpose. And it is very different, as it needs a clear section which covers the front of your face to stop drowning
Click to expand...
For the sake of safety I feel obliged to highlight that clear plastic is no better at the prevention of drowning than yellow plastic (or indeed any colour).
 
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