Dry suit rear zip vs. self-don

[Jcsgt]

My dive buddy is looking at getting a dry suit. What are the positives and negatives of the regular rear zip vs. the self-donning type?

 

[www.scubamazing.com]

Sometimes the rear-zipper is hard to get up and you need help.
I don't like that.

And sometimes people will do mean (and dangerous) practical jokes by not zipping you up all the way.

 

[NJScubaDoc]

Self Donning, you can close yourself (sometimes) while rear zip you need a buddy to help you.

Biggest plus of having a back-zip is the cost of replacing the zipper. Less zipper = less money.

As for the self don, which I have, it's a tad bit easier to take the suit off for bodily functions.

If I were your buddy I'd get the rear zip, save money in the long run.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I just got a rear zip after owning a couple of front zips. Although it takes a few times to learn, I can zip myself up. I had to replace a zipper on my old Diving Concepts suit for $500. That's $200 more than I paid for my new suit.

 

[Gary D.]

It’s just personal preference and what you can afford.

With some practice and learning some tricks you can get into and out of a rear zip on your own.

Gary D.

 

[JMcD]

While I am only now looking at a Dry Suit and have not been diving in one, I have had a number of people I respect indicate that the back entry zipper is less prone to problems and leaks since it isn't getting kinked and bent like a Self Donning zipper will (every time you bend over to pick up whatever...). That being said... I'm still looking at a self donning drysuit for my first purchase...

 

[Gary D.]

While I am only now looking at a Dry Suit and have not been diving in one, I have had a number of people I respect indicate that the back entry zipper is less prone to problems and leaks since it isn't getting kinked and bent like a Self Donning zipper will (every time you bend over to pick up whatever...). That being said... I'm still looking at a self donning drysuit for my first purchase...

Both can have their problems. But those problems can be lessened by the way the user cares for the suit.

Make sure that the zipper has a second covering over it for protection. It can just be a flap or a second zipper over the sealing zipper. Either way it can add years to it's life.

Gary D.

 

[JMcD]

Both can have their problems. But those problems can be lessened by the way the user cares for the suit.

Make sure that the zipper has a second covering over it for protection. It can just be a flap or a second zipper over the sealing zipper. Either way it can add years to it's life.

Gary D.

Thanks for the tip. I am considering a Whites Catalyst, which does have a protective cover. Just not sure if I want to spend that much...

 

[Scuba Brad]

A word of caution............don't go "military style" with a front zip.

Oh baby please don't

Happy Diving

 

[Jedderkoppen]

What about the Poseidon Unisuit Drysuit version of a zipper, where the zipper goes up one side of the chest, around the neck and down the other side a little ways? has anyway had experience with this suit. i've been curious how it performs.

cheers,

JE