Neoprenske kape, kapuce in neoprenski trak za ušesa za vodne športe

Wetsuit Hoods, Caps & Ear Bands

Wetsuit Hoods, Neoprene Caps and Ear Bands for Water Sports

A neoprene cap is a snug-fitting cap made from thin neoprene, usually 1.5–3 mm, that keeps your head and ears warm and shields them from wind and cold water. A wetsuit hood also covers your neck, while a neoprene ear band covers just your ears and the back of your head. Wear them for kitesurfing, wing foiling, windsurfing, SUP, surfing and cold water swimming, whenever you want to stay out longer without cold ears.

Headwear completes the gear in our wetsuits and neoprene range. In cold water, a full wetsuit without a hood keeps your body warm, but your head stays exposed to wind and water. That is when you add a neoprene beanie or a separate hood. Visit our store in Ljubljana and we will help you pick the right one.

Why Wear a Neoprene Cap, Hood or Ear Band?

In water and wind, you lose heat quickly through your head and neck. Cold ears also drain your comfort and focus fast.

Neoprene headwear:

reduces heat loss through your head,
protects your ears from wind and cold water,
softens the brain freeze when you fall in or a wave breaks over you,
lets you enjoy longer, more comfortable sessions.

Wetsuit Hood, Cap or Ear Band: Which Should You Choose?

It depends on the water temperature, the wind and how often you end up in the water. Temperatures are approximate and based on neoprene manufacturers' recommendations. In strong wind, go one step warmer.

Conditions	Our pick	Thickness
wind, water above roughly 14 °C, spring and autumn	neoprene ear band	2 mm
water below roughly 14 °C, kitesurfing, wing foiling, windsurfing, SUP	neoprene cap with a chin strap or cap leash	1.5–2 mm
cold wind and low winter sun	neoprene cap with a peak	1.5–2 mm
surfing waves, water flushing down your collar	wetsuit hood that covers your neck	1.5–2 mm
water below roughly 10 °C, long sessions	thicker wetsuit hood	3 mm or more
cold water and winter swimming	snug neoprene swim cap without a peak	2 mm
under a helmet	thin neoprene skull cap	1–2 mm

Types of Neoprene Headwear

Neoprene Ear Band – Warm Head, Cold Ears

A neoprene ear band, also called a neoprene headband or ear warmer, is a wide stretchy band that covers your ears and the back of your head while leaving the top open. It is the right choice for the shoulder seasons and windy days, when a beanie would make you overheat.

Neoprene Ear Bands for Water Sports

Why choose an ear band:

protects your ears from wind and cold water,
doesn't overheat your head,
slips on in seconds and fits in a pocket,
doesn't restrict your movement.

It also works for swimming in cooler water when only your ears feel the cold.

Neoprene Beanie – The All-Rounder for Cold, Windy Days

A neoprene beanie, or wetsuit cap, covers the top of your head and your ears but leaves your neck free, so you can turn your head without restriction. It is the most versatile neoprene headwear for autumn, winter and early spring, once the water drops below roughly 14 °C.

Neoprene Beanie for Water Sports

Why choose a beanie:

insulates the top of your head and your ears,
quick to put on and take off,
leaves your neck free to move, which you will appreciate when kiting and wing foiling,
a thin cap also fits under a helmet.

Wetsuit Hood – When Your Neck Gets Cold Too

A wetsuit hood covers your head, ears and neck, and its bottom edge tucks under the collar of your wetsuit. That way, cold water can't flush down your collar. For surfing and frequent wipeouts, this is the biggest difference compared to a cap.

Wetsuit hood

Why choose a hood:

the best protection for your head, ears and neck,
less cold water through the collar,
more time in the water before you get cold,
turns a wetsuit without a hood into a hooded setup.

Thin 1.5–2 mm hoods are for the shoulder seasons and wind. Thicker hoods of 3 mm and up are for water below roughly 10 °C. Dive hoods are thicker still and have a wide bib that goes under the suit, because you stay underwater longer and deeper.

Neoprene Cap or Wetsuit Hood: What's the Difference?

A cap is lighter, quicker to put on and leaves your neck free. A hood is warmer because it also covers your neck and seals against your collar.

Cap: kitesurfing, wing foiling, windsurfing and SUP, where you spend most of your time above the water and want free head movement.
Hood: surfing, long cold water sessions and days when you are constantly in the water.
Ear band: the shoulder seasons, when only your ears get cold.

What Thickness Wetsuit Hood or Cap Do You Need?

Neoprene thickness decides how warm your headwear is. Most neoprene caps and ear bands are 1.5–2 mm thick, because comfort and hearing matter around your head too.

1–2 mm – wind, the shoulder seasons and water below roughly 14 °C. Comfortable under a helmet.
3 mm and up – water below roughly 10 °C and long sessions, usually as a hood.

Once the water drops below roughly 10 °C, a hood makes sense almost every time. That is usually also the point where you need gloves and boots.

Chin Strap, Cap Leash, Peak or Pom-Pom?

In sports with lots of falls, your cap can't fly off. That is why neoprene caps come in different versions:

Chin strap: keeps the cap on your head when you crash and in strong gusts. Ideal for kitesurfing, wing foiling and wakeboarding.
Cap leash: clips the cap to your collar or wetsuit, so you don't lose it if a wave pulls it off.
Peak: shields your eyes from low winter sun, rain and spray.
Pom-pom: mostly for looks, if style on the water matters to you.

Neoprene Caps for Kitesurfing, Wing Foiling and SUP

In wind sports you spend most of your time above the water. But wind on a wet head chills your ears fast, even when the water isn't that cold yet. So pick a snug cap with a smooth outer surface that blocks the wind, plus a chin strap or leash that keeps it in place when you fall. For winter SUP, a cap or ear band is often enough, because you are only in the water when you fall. For surfing, where you go under waves again and again, a hood is the better choice.

Neoprene Swim Caps for Cold Water Swimming

For winter swimming and open water swims in the sea or a lake, choose a snug neoprene cap without a peak that covers your ears and doesn't slide off. Neoprene keeps you warmer than a silicone swim cap, because it insulates. An ear band is enough when only your ears get cold while swimming.

Surfer's Ear: Why Cover Your Ears?

Surfer's ear (exostosis of the ear canal) is a bony growth in the ear canal that is linked to frequent exposure to cold water and wind. It is common among surfers, kitesurfers and anyone who spends a lot of time in cold water. A cap, hood or ear band covers your ears and reduces direct contact with cold water and wind. If you have ear problems, talk to a doctor.

What Size Neoprene Cap Should You Get?

Choose your size by head circumference, using the size chart on the product page. Measure with a soft tape measure just above your eyebrows and ears.

A neoprene cap should:

fit snugly, with no folds,
seal around your ears so water can't get in,
stay in place while you move,
feel comfortable, without pressure or a headache.

If you are between sizes, try it on in our store in Ljubljana.

Who Is Neoprene Headwear For?

surfers in cold waves,
kitesurfers, windsurfers and wing foilers who feel the wind chill,
SUP paddlers in windy and winter conditions,
cold water and winter swimmers,
kayakers and canoeists on cold rivers,
kids and adults who get cold quickly.

What to Wear with a Neoprene Cap?

Body: on milder days, a neoprene top or jacket and neoprene pants.
Hands: wetsuit gloves once the water drops below roughly 10–12 °C.
Feet: wetsuit boots for cold water and rocky shores.
The coldest days: a drysuit for winter SUP and kayaking.
After your session: a warm winter beanie for the beach.

How to Care for Your Neoprene Cap

After every use, rinse your cap in lukewarm fresh water and dry it in the shade, inside out first. Never dry it in the sun or on a radiator, because heat dries out neoprene. For salt and odours, use a cleaner from our wetsuit accessories.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Is a neoprene cap mandatory for swimming in cold water?

It is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. The head loses the most heat, so a cap significantly extends the time you can survive in the water.

Can I wear a neoprene cap under the helmet?

Yes — thinner caps (1-2 mm) are great for windsurfing, wing foiling, or sup foiling in the wind, where you need the helmet and warmth.

When to choose a neoprene cap and when a headband?

• Headband → when the head is warm, but the ears are sensitive to the wind.
• Cap → when it is cold, when you expect to fall into the water, or when you want to maintain stable warmth.
• Hood → for winter, cold water, or strong wind.

Does a neoprene strap really prevent ear infections?

Yes — the strap covers the ear canal and reduces direct contact with wind and cold water, which helps prevent infections that are common among kiters, surfers, and sup riders.

How do I secure a neoprene cap so I don't lose it?

You can secure the cap with an affordable safety strap that you simply attach to your neoprene.

How to choose the right size neoprene cap?

Measure the circumference of your head and choose the size according to the manufacturer's chart. The cap should be snug but should not cause pressure or headaches.