Bathing poncho with hood: what the hood is really good for
At first glance, a bathing poncho with a hood looks like a poncho with a nice extra. In practice, though, the hood is often the part you miss most when it is not there: after swimming your hair drips down your neck, the wind whistles round your ears, and in the sauna garden your head cools down quickly. In this guide we explain what a good hood should do, what terms such as "two-layer" and "high collar" mean, and how the hoods of our Wave Hawaii models differ.
Contents12
- What the hood on a bathing poncho is good for
- Two-layer, high collar, drawstring: what the terms mean
- Bathing poncho with hood: our models compared
- The hood as a stuff sack: the PAMPATAR
- How to use the hood properly
- What to look for in a bathing poncho with hood
- When a hood matters less
- Bathing poncho with hood at the sauna
- Hood, hat or towel turban?
- Care: keeping the hood in shape for a long time
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
What the hood on a bathing poncho is good for
- Catching wet hair: the hood absorbs water from your hair instead of letting it run down your neck and back.
- Keeping head and neck warm: with wet hair in particular, your head cools down quickly. The hood is the first layer against that.
- Keeping out the wind: at the beach, by the lake or on the jetty it shields your ears and neck.
- A moment to yourself: with the hood up you feel a little more withdrawn from the bustle of the beach or the sauna garden.
- No extra towel for your head: for short distances the hood replaces a second towel.
Two-layer, high collar, drawstring: what the terms mean
Two-layer hood
The hood consists of two layers of fabric instead of one. As a general rule, two layers absorb more moisture and feel warmer than a single one. The hood also keeps its shape better and does not collapse as quickly.
High collar
A high collar wraps around your neck even when the hood is down. That keeps your neck warm and stops the wind from reaching it directly.
Drawstring
With a drawstring you tighten the opening of the hood. In the wind the hood stays in place better, and warmth escapes less quickly.
Bathing poncho with hood: our models compared
All six Wave Hawaii ponchos in our range have a hood. The details come from the product descriptions:
| Model | Hood according to description | Material | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| FARO | two-layer, high collar, drawstring | cotton terry | approx. 1,350 g |
| MOVE | two-layer, high collar, drawstring | 100 % cotton | approx. 1,400 g |
| AIR | double-layer, high collar, drawstring | cotton terry | approx. 1,300 g |
| PENICHE | two-layer, collar, drawstring | AirLite | approx. 850 g |
| CUMBUCO | two-layer, collar, drawstring | AirLite | approx. 850 g |
| PAMPATAR | poncho can be rolled into the hood; no further details given | waffle piqué | approx. 700 g |
With terry, the hood is the fluffiest and warmest because the material has more volume. On the AirLite models it is lighter but, according to the description, likewise has two layers, a collar and a drawstring.
The hood as a stuff sack: the PAMPATAR
The Travel Poncho PAMPATAR has a special feature: according to the manufacturer, you roll the whole poncho into its own hood. This creates a compact bundle that can even serve as a travel pillow on the go. Here the hood is not just protection from the cold but packaging too. You can read more in the article on waffle piqué.
How to use the hood properly
- Squeeze out your hair first: the less water there is in your hair, the longer the hood stays comfortable. A quick wring is enough.
- Leave the drawstring loose when it is warm: in sunshine and with no wind, the open hood is enough.
- Pull the drawstring tight when it gets windy: that way the hood stays in place and your neck is protected.
- Take the hood down when it is soaked: a wet hood cools you rather than warms you. Better to put on a dry hat then.
- Hang it up after use: the hood dries best when the poncho hangs loosely and the hood is not squashed.
What to look for in a bathing poncho with hood
Not every hood is equally good. When you compare, these points help:
- Read the details on the hood: if the description says "two-layer" or "double-layer", you have more fabric around your head. If there is no information at all, the hood is often just a simple cover.
- Check the collar: a bathing poncho with a hood and a high collar protects your neck even when the hood stays down. That is practical because you do not have to keep putting it up and taking it down.
- Drawstring or not: for windy beaches and the sauna garden in winter, a drawstring is a real advantage. For children, on the other hand, many parents deliberately look for short drawstrings.
- Weigh up material and weight: more fabric means more warmth but also more weight in your bag. Our cotton models AIR, FARO and MOVE weigh approx. 1,300 to 1,400 g, AirLite approx. 850 g, the PAMPATAR approx. 700 g.
- Choose the right size: if the poncho is too tight, it pulls the hood backwards when you bend down. Which size suits your height is shown in our guide to bathing poncho size.
When a hood matters less
To be honest, not everyone needs a hood. If you only spend a short time at the lake in high summer and dry off quickly with short hair, you will rarely use it. And if you bring a towel for your hair after swimming anyway, you can manage without. A bathing poncho with a hood really comes into its own where wind, cool air or long walks are involved: by the sea in the off-season, during winter swimming, when surfing and on the way back from the plunge pool to the relaxation room.
Bathing poncho with hood at the sauna
In the sauna garden a hood is pleasant after cooling off, especially in winter. The poncho does not belong in the sauna cabin itself, however – there you need a sauna towel. Whether ponchos are welcome in the relaxation room is up to each sauna. For the cabin there are dedicated solutions such as the felt sauna hat. Which rules for ponchos at the sauna are common is covered in the guide to the poncho for the sauna.
Hood, hat or towel turban?
| Solution | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Hood on the poncho | always with you, up in a second | gets wet itself with very wet hair |
| Hat | keeps dry hair warm for a long time | not meant for wet hair |
| Towel turban | absorbs a lot of water from long hair | needs an extra towel, slips when walking |
In practice the three complement each other, with the bathing poncho with hood as the basis: first squeeze your hair out in a towel, then hood up, and later a hat if you stay outside for longer.
Care: keeping the hood in shape for a long time
According to the manufacturer, all our ponchos are machine washable and suitable for the tumble dryer. A general tip for any bathing poncho with a hood and drawstring: tie a loose knot in the ends before washing so the drawstring does not slip out of its channel. After washing, briefly pull the hood back into shape. You will find more tips in the guide to washing a bathing poncho.
Related reading: Bathing poncho in winter: warm after ice bathing, snow and the sauna garden · Bathing poncho for women: cut, length and use · Wave Hawaii AIR bathing poncho: unisex terry poncho with front pocket
Conclusion
A bathing poncho with a hood catches wet hair, keeps your head and neck warm and shields you from the wind. Look for a two-layer hood, a high collar and a drawstring. According to the descriptions, FARO, MOVE and AIR have all three features, PENICHE and CUMBUCO have two layers, a collar and a drawstring; on the PAMPATAR the hood also doubles as a stuff sack. You will find all models in our poncho collection.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Wave Hawaii ponchos have a hood?
Yes, all six models in our range have a hood. With the PAMPATAR, you can also roll the poncho into the hood.
What does a two-layer hood mean?
The hood consists of two layers of fabric. This generally makes it warmer, more absorbent and better at keeping its shape than a single-layer hood.
What is the drawstring on the hood for?
With the drawstring you make the opening narrower so the hood stays in place in the wind and less warmth escapes.
Which bathing poncho with hood is the warmest?
The heavy cotton models FARO, MOVE and AIR with a two-layer hood, high collar and drawstring. They weigh approx. 1,300 to 1,400 g.
Can I wear the hood in the sauna?
The poncho does not belong in the sauna cabin. In the sauna garden or on the way there you can use the hood, provided the sauna rules allow it.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.