FRONT ZIP VS BACK ZIP WETSUITS

[Dave Kay]

I've been warm water diving for 40 years and have hit the Caribbean and much of Asia. Now I want to do some colder water diving as in Soccoro, Bali, Baja. I've only used Lavacore and skins. One big question I have is for a full suit or shorty, would it be better to get a front zip vs a back zip.

I rarely see a front zip on a dive boat. I see divers struggling to get their suits on. I have shoulder problems. Any and all input much appreciated. Thanks

 

[Vitesse2l]

Hi Dave,

Personally I find my rear zip easier than my front zip (shorty), both are vertical, rear has a pull strap. Getting arms and shoulders in or out just goes easier for me. I always need help getting the front zip suit off my shoulders, the rear one is easy. Harder if you are sweating.

There's always a bit of work getting in - there is a knack and like everything, easier with practice.

As to suit thickness, depends on you really. I'll wear the shorty over my full suit to give about 10mm thickness in our winter 55 ish water temps. Everyones milage varies with this!

 

[Altamira]

I have shoulder problems as well, and I have a lot less difficulty getting my 3mm and 5mm back zip wetsuits off than I do my front zip Henderson polyolefin dive skin and a 3mm front zip shorty that I used for a week. However, I found the front zips were easier to put on. Overall, I would opt for the easier to remove rear zips.

 

[-Moe]

Another benefit of front zip is that they do not have quite as high a collar around the neck which is good for us short neck guys.

 

[divin'dog]

I have front zips and back zips. For me, front zip is nice and allows me to open and cool off if need be in hot weather diving, but my front zip is harder to get off. I always need someone to pull off one shoulder of the suit to help me. Rear zips are easier to get out of by yourself. Get a back zip if you have shoulder problems.

 

[Hatul]

All other things equal the back zip is warmer, as front zip tends to allow more water into the suit.

 

[drrich2]

I’m chunky and broad, and I cannot get my Henderson Thermoprene full wetsuit with back zip zipped up. Yes, the zipper has a leash thing to pull, but if I tried harder to pull it to get the zipper past my shoulders I’m confidant something would rip off.

My Henderson Thermoprene front zip shorty is no problem.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

My lavacore is front zip and that took a little practice donning and doffing. For a thicker wetsuit I would go with a back zip.
Or get a drysuit with diagonal front zip. Even easier.

 

[broncobowsher]

A good fitting front zip is nearly impossible to remove yourself. Unlike a jacket you have to peel a wetsuit off, not slide out of it like a jacket sleeve. A back zip is generally a better choice when you have to peel it off. Much easier on the shoulder to reach forward to peel instead of reaching behind to peel. The downfall is the zipper action. It is a little tricky, but a properly fitting suit it is usually pretty good. Too small, odd body shape that doesn't match a stock suit, or even a poor suit it can be problematic.

I will also go with a back zip being better at sealing off water exchange.

 

[drbill]

In the early days (60s, 70s and 80s) I only wore front zip suits (Farmer Johns). The first time I remember using a back zip was while diving with a Cousteau team off Santa Cruz Island in 1989. I put it on backwards. Today I have one front zip and the first time I wore it, I had to have the Fire Dept help me out of it... I could get it past my broad shoulders!