Ankle zips on custom 3mm wetsuit?

[nudi_hunter]

Hi all,

I'm about to order a custom 3mm suit from Oceaner and wondering if ankle zips are worth the added cost (~$100 CAD). I'm a very non-standard tall guy with size 14 feet, and hoping I won't regret not adding zippers donning and doffing the suit 3-4x a day on an upcoming liveaboard trip.

Thanks, and happy diving!

 

[Joneill]

Hi all,

I'm about to order a custom 3mm suit from Oceaner and wondering if ankle zips are worth the added cost (~$100 CAD). I'm a very non-standard tall guy with size 14 feet, and hoping I won't regret not adding zippers donning and doffing the suit 3-4x a day on an upcoming liveaboard trip.

Thanks, and happy diving!

I’d spring for the zippers!

 

[CathyE]

Loved my zippers, absolutely miss them in my 7mm suit. My current 2mm tropical suit is only tolerable without them as the legs are way too big. My feet are only a men’s size 7, I shudder at trying to manipulate a size 14.

 

[Searcaigh]

All three of my WaterProof wetsuits have ankle zips, makes life a lot easier.

 

[FreqFlier]

To my knowledge Oceaner makes open cell wetsuits. Be careful with that, not so easy to don and doff. Personally I would stay away from open cell, especially on a LOB trip.

 

[CathyE]

To my knowledge Oceaner makes open cell wetsuits. Be careful with that, not so easy to don and doff. Personally I would stay away from open cell, especially on a LOB trip.

While I preferred to wear a Lycra skin under my previous Oceaner wetsuit, I did have (and wear) it for two years before I purchased a skin. I’d go check it, but I left it in Cuba.

 

[Dsix36]

I recently ordered a custom wetsuit and got both wrist and ankle zippers. There is no good reason to not spend the few extra $$ considering the added benefit it offers. Taking it on and off is sooooo much easier.

 

[Still Kicking]

To my knowledge Oceaner makes open cell wetsuits. Be careful with that, not so easy to don and doff. Personally I would stay away from open cell, especially on a LOB trip.

I find open cell neoprene is easy enough to don if you use lube (hair conditioner) or at least wet the inside before you put it on.

(Side note: If you use lube, make sure you don't put the suit on near a walk way, where others might slip.)

Open cell suits are warmer pound for pound than lined suits and generally a bit more stretchy.

 

[blue steal]

My last two wetsuits, 3mm & 7mm I had ankle zippers put on.
It definitely makes putting it on and off much easier without damaging and overstretching the suit, especially with a large foot size.
Never needed wrist zippers.

 

[nudi_hunter]

They do both open cell freediving suits and closed & lined scuba suits. I'll be getting the latter

To my knowledge Oceaner makes open cell wetsuits. Be careful with that, not so easy to don and doff. Personally I would stay away from open cell, especially on a LOB trip.