Pinnacle Tempo XT Zipper/Spine Pad Question

[Rick Vigil]

I just purchased a new Pinnacle Tempo XT Men's 7mm Size L wetsuit. It has a rear zipper centered on the back, and a flap of neoprene under the zipper that their website describes as an "extra thick spine flap and smoothskin seal to provide spine protection and reduce internal water movement". The flap material under the zipper is a 3.5 inch wide piece of 10mm neoprene that is sewn in on the left with 1 inch to the left of the zipper and 2.5 inches of loose flap to the right of the zipper. So this 10mm strip of neoprene is significantly offset to the right and I can feel that it is off to the side when I zip the suit up. It is sort of uncomfortable and feels odd.

I like everything else about the wetsuit but I am worried that this is either a manufacturing error, or if it as designed, will be uncomfortable while diving. Does anyone own this suit? If so, is your spine pad also offset? And if it is, do you notice it while diving?

Thanks in advance for any info or advice.

 

[tbone1004]

it shouldn't be offset, return to dealer for a replacement

 

[rongoodman]

It seems like the only function of those thick spine pads is to get caught in the zipper. I've never figured out what they're supposed to be padding against.

 

[tbone1004]

It seems to me that you would never really want you IP to change (much). Therefore, the balanced unit is a far superior to others. Can anyone give me an example of why you would want an unbalanced or overbalanced unit?

It seems like the only function of those thick spine pads is to get caught in the zipper. I've never figured out what they're supposed to be padding against.

I think it's mainly to keep the water from flowing around through the zips since they aren't dry zips. People also like to say they're padding against the BC, but I prefer to use the channel in my backplate for that

 

[archer1960]

I just purchased a new Pinnacle Tempo XT Men's 7mm Size L wetsuit. It has a rear zipper centered on the back, and a flap of neoprene under the zipper that their website describes as an "extra thick spine flap and smoothskin seal to provide spine protection and reduce internal water movement". The flap material under the zipper is a 3.5 inch wide piece of 10mm neoprene that is sewn in on the left with 1 inch to the left of the zipper and 2.5 inches of loose flap to the right of the zipper. So this 10mm strip of neoprene is significantly offset to the right and I can feel that it is off to the side when I zip the suit up. It is sort of uncomfortable and feels odd.

I like everything else about the wetsuit but I am worried that this is either a manufacturing error, or if it as designed, will be uncomfortable while diving. Does anyone own this suit? If so, is your spine pad also offset? And if it is, do you notice it while diving?

Thanks in advance for any info or advice.

Sounds similar to my Pinnacle 7mm suit, though I don't recall my exact model. It definitely has the thick pad under the zipper. Seems to help reduce water flow into the zipper a bit.

 

[Rick Vigil]

archer1960: Is the pad centered under the zipper on your suit? If not, do you find it uncomfortable while diving?

I contacted Pinnacle customer service and they asked me to send them a video of what it looks like and they will compare it to other production suits to see if mine is defective. I haven't heard back from them yet (they said they are short handed this close to Thanksgiving) but I'll post their response once I have it.

 

[archer1960]

I haven't looked to see if it might be slightly off center; it's pretty close, though. I love the suit, and don't find it uncomfortable at all.

 

[Rick Vigil]

It took Pinnacle support a while but they did get back to me. The employee helped me out by comparing my videos to suits they had and found that my suit is built correctly and the pad is actually offset. He then tried on a suit with a tank and BC, but couldn't feel the flap offset like I do. So the fact that I notice it and find it uncomfortable may just be me and my build. I'll probably be returning this one and trying a Henderson that I rented that worked well for me.