PINNACLE IMPROVES AND EXPANDS ITS HOODED VEST LINE Hooded Vests are often used by divers to add warmth to wetsuits, and worn by themselves when a bathing suit is just not warm enough. They are becoming more and more popular.

In order to make their line of hooded vests better and applicable to a wider range of divers, Pinnacle Aquatics has made several changes and additions to the line.

First, Pinnacle will only manufacture Merino™ Lined Hooded Vests from this point forward. According to George Stauffer, Pinnacle's General Manager, "Our Merino™ lined versions of the vests outsold the standard version by a factor of 3 to 1 last year, despite being more than 40% more expensive. As more and more dealers and divers have learned about the benefits of Merino™, the demand for our product has just risen through the roof. Discriminating divers are looking for the best product that they can get, and they are more frequently turning to Pinnacle."

Next, Pinnacle has decided to ride the growing popularity of its Elastiprene and Merino-Elastiprene series of wetsuits by making all of its hooded vests out of its proprietary Elastiprene grade of neoprene. Elastiprene is a high-stretch grade of rubber, which will make it infinitely easier to don and doff the hoods and vests. Elastiprene is also renowned for being flexible but still resistant to compression, which makes it a much better insulator than most other high-stretch materials. The exterior lining on Elastiprene products is prized because it is highly resistant to snags, pulls, and "Velcro-attack", ensuring that the suit will look its best for longer.

Finally, Pinnacle has added a third thickness to its hooded vest line. Previously available in 3mm vests with either a 7mm hood or a 5mm hood attached, there is now a 3mm version. "We are seeing more and more people in Florida, Hawaii, and other warm water regions asking for hooded vests, but they don't need something as thick as a 5mm hood. Also, because of the Merino™ lining that we employ, they are getting more insulation in a thinner, more comfortable hood," said Stauffer.

All three of Pinnacle's Merino-Elastiprene Hooded Vests feature Pinnacle's patented neck sealing skirt, which forms a tighter seal as a diver descends in the water column, greatly reducing water transfer, keeping warm water in and cold water out.

All of Pinnacle's Merino-Elastiprene Hooded Vests include the following features:

• 3mm Elastiprene vest attached to an Elastiprene hood
• Merino™ lining throughout the hood and vest, which adds warmth and comfort, dries quickly, reduces odors, and does not promote the growth of bacteria
• Pinnacle's patented neck sealing skirt
• Unique "wave pattern" neck seam to allow greater stretch of the neck seam
• Non-directly vented top panel
• 3mm smoothskin face seal
• Face seal is fully trimmable for a customized fit, without the need to match up to bar tac
• Rear reflective pattern on hood
• Double glued and blind stitched construction
• Seam intersections fitted with stress disks
• 7 male sizes (Small through XXXL)
• 6 female sizes (XS through XL)

All of these items are in stock in all sizes and both genders now.

For more information about Pinnacle Aquatics and all of its products, please visit www.PinnacleAquatics.com. Dealers interested in carrying the Pinnacle line may call (925) 606-8300 or contact Pinnacle at [email protected].