I bought this for my husband for Christmas.  He loves that it helps him keep warm in the Southern California waters in the winter months.  But he complains that the hood makes it "loud" when he surfs.  With any turn of the head there is a lot of "friction noise" and it is a distraction from the sound of the waves.  He thinks it is best for helping him get out there in the cold water, but then it turns into a great neck warmer.  The best thing is that it helps to keep the cold water from creeping down the back of his wetsuit when he is getting into the waves first thing.  I wish he would wear it for his whole session and get the full value from the product!!