Hoods

Looking to find a new hood and just wondering what other people are using and get reviews on the hoods out there now.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jason Brooks on April 15, 2010 at 10:24am

IMHO stay away from the carbon hoods. They are great for reflecting and not letting heat through. The problem is, so is the rest of your gear. The gear today is almost too good. A good nomex or PBI hood will do the job. The carbon hoods take one more sense away from you ability to judge heat.

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Permalink Reply by Clay Matthews on April 15, 2010 at 2:00pm

Brother Brooks is right. The carbons are great but they take away the ability to judge the heat. Nomex or PBI are the way to go. I also recomend the longer ones.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Brooks on April 15, 2010 at 3:54pm

I forgot about that. Too many times we have all had hoods ride up, the shoulder length ones are by far necessary. I also think that the nomex ones are better for one reason only. The strtch back better. The PBI hoods tend to stretch when you put them on and not stretch back as fast.

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Permalink Reply by Tommy Lewis on April 15, 2010 at 4:23pm

I prefer a long nomex hood and try to find one as thin as possible. But, then again I still prefer a smooth bore over a fog.

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Permalink Reply by Sparky3317 on April 15, 2010 at 7:05pm

I with Tomym on this one to smooth bore all the way.

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Permalink Reply by Sparky3317 on April 15, 2010 at 7:06pm

Thank you for the posts guys. Ive tried looking at the fire store but it didnt look like they sold the long bibbed hoods anyone know where to look.

Thank you again

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Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on April 15, 2010 at 7:21pm

We like the PBI hoods. They still let enough heat get to your ears to allow time for a hasty retreat in case things get too hot.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Dudan on April 16, 2010 at 12:16am

Last I looked I thought they had longer length hoods, but my mind slips me. Check out Galls (fireauthority.com) or Darley Fire Equipment (edarley.com)

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Permalink Reply by Sparky3317 on April 16, 2010 at 2:08am

Anyone ever try out the hoods with the vents in the top. Just saw some on the fire store, look interesting.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Dudan on April 16, 2010 at 7:05am

I too have seen them but I don't think I would ever use one. If you lose your lid the top of your head becomes exposed and the vent becomes a break in your protective envelope. Just my thoughts.

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Permalink Reply by Oldman on April 16, 2010 at 8:49am

How about, and I'm just throwing this out, use the hood issued by your department?

IMO, when a department issues equipment, and you go out and purchase something else to your liking, this is almost the same thing as freelancing on the fire ground.