A hood adjusting mechanism comprising: a hood portion configured to at least partially cover a head area of a wearer in an as-worn position, the hood portion comprising: a generally circumferential opening defined at least by a right side portion and a left side portion, a first aperture positioned at a first aperture location on a back side of the hood portion, a second aperture positioned at a second aperture location on the back side of the hood portion, a first channel having a first portion extending from the first aperture location to the right side portion of the circumferential opening and a second portion extending from the second aperture location to the right side portion of the circumferential opening, and a second channel having a third portion extending from the first aperture location to the left side portion of the circumferential opening and a fourth portion extending from the second aperture location to the left side portion of the circumferential opening, a first continuous cord extending through the first and second portions (141, 142) of the first channel and exiting at the first and second apertures (151, 152), the first continuous cord further extending between the first and second apertures (151, 152); a second continuous cord extending through the third and fourth portions (143, 144) of the second channel and exiting at the first and second apertures (151, 152), the second continuous cord further extending between the first and second apertures (151, 152); and a tightening mechanism proximate to the first and second aperture locations (161, 162), the tightening mechanism configured to releasably secure the first continuous cord and the second continuous cord. a generally circumferential opening defined at least by a right side portion and a left side portion, a first aperture positioned at a first aperture location on a back side of the hood portion, a second aperture positioned at a second aperture location on the back side of the hood portion, a first channel having a first portion extending from the first aperture location to the right side portion of the circumferential opening and a second portion extending from the second aperture location to the right side portion of the circumferential opening, and a second channel having a third portion extending from the first aperture location to the left side portion of the circumferential opening and a fourth portion extending from the second aperture location to the left side portion of the circumferential opening, a first continuous cord extending through the first and second portions (141, 142) of the first channel and exiting at the first and second apertures (151, 152), the first continuous cord further extending between the first and second apertures (151, 152); a second continuous cord extending through the third and fourth portions (143, 144) of the second channel and exiting at the first and second apertures (151, 152), the second continuous cord further extending between the first and second apertures (151, 152); and a tightening mechanism proximate to the first and second aperture locations (161, 162), the tightening mechanism configured to releasably secure the first continuous cord and the second continuous cord.