Question regarding wetsuit design..

[Laserjock]

Why are most wetsuits designed with a back zipper?

In trying to logically think through it, and being a noob who has not even begun OW cert classes yet, I was just trying to figure out the reason. I know when my wife and I took our Discover Scuba trip last week we had a thick back zippered wetsuit that we both wrestled in getting into them on the boat. Obviously we are new to the procedure and I probably looked like I was fighting it more than anything else!

However, with all the quick releases and other connections in plain reach in front of a diver in case of trouble [thinking about the BC snaps, weight releases, etc.] I was thinking what if your suit got really snagged around the legs...with a front zip I would think you could more easily shed a suit if you happen to not have a knife or drop it or something.

Hope this is not a stupid question...but it just popped into my head.

Thanks..

Alan

 

[fisherdvm]

The belly stretches, moves in and out. The chest expands, moves in and out. I think they probably tried putting the zipper in the front, and find that it rubs to much. And if you put it on the back, it doesn't rub on your skin as much? The zipper also limits the horizontal and especially the longitudinal stretch of the fabric... which might not accomodate size differences in the front as much.

That is my best guess.

 

[SkipperJohn]

The women on the James Bond movies have it in the front usually. Movies... Can't trust them.

 

[fisherdvm]

Another reason is to keep the suit water tight up front, the soft neck is gentler on the throat, whereas the zipper is tougher if pulled up that high. You can zip it up tight on the back of the neck, the the softer collar will not be as bad on the front.

 

[captndale]

A suit with a back zipper is actually easier to get out of than one with a front zipper. Try peeling the suit off of your shoulders with each type of suit and you will see what I mean.

 

[XXXL]

They do make wetsuits with front fasteners. Have a look at Camaro. My wife has 3mm full with front zipper & loves it.
I prefer the back zipper having tried both. Just seemed more comfortable & with it at the back u have nothing pressing the zip into you.

As Captndale says it is also easier to get on / off, especially if you are a big guy

 

[Doc]

I had mine made by WetWear, front zip and all.

But to your original question- you were worried about getting your suit snagged and having to peel out of it to escape?

if your suit got really snagged around the legs...with a front zip I would think you could more easily shed a suit if you happen to not have a knife or drop it or something.

Worry about Shark attack instead. Getting bitten in half is 1000x more likely than death by snagged wetsuit.

Also- buy a very large pointy knife, a yellow one, tie it to you with a lanyard. You see them dropping them at all the critical moments during the James Bond movies.

Relax, have fun, don't sweat this stuff.

 

[reefduffer]

...
Worry about Shark attack instead. Getting bitten in half is 1000x more likely than death by snagged wetsuit.

Also- buy a very large pointy knife, a yellow one, tie it to you with a lanyard. You see them dropping them at all the critical moments during the James Bond movies.

Worry about stabbing yourself or your gear with large pointy knives.
About 1000x more likely than getting bitten in half by a shark. :14:

 

[almitywife]

Seatec, my fav aussie wetsuit maker has the zipper in the front; Predator & Predator Pro Semi-Dry Suit

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

Why are most wetsuits designed with a back zipper?

OK, back to the question at hand.

The reason for the back zipper is because surfers don't like laying on the zipper. I believe it was Jack O'Neil, in Santa Cruz, that first sold back zip wetsuits, and now he cruises the world on one of the sweetest sail boats. Just the royalties from the pull string is major bank.

There are many front zip designs, but why not sell a product that works for multiple recreations; simple economics.