Front zip suite.... holy crap!

they are a challenge getting in , especially if the suit is wet ... getting out is easier if you take it off in the shower..let the water break the suction between your skin and the suit .. but you tend not to get flushed like a back zip so the struggle is worth it .

 

Getting out can be a pain. I have broad shoulders and sometimes getting that first arm out is tough. Getting in there is a trick my bro taught me. Hard to explain on the web but I'll try:

Pull suit up to waist as high as possible and fold down. Position each arm of suit by pulling inside out a bit. Get right hand in as deep as possible and then wiggle left hand in as deep too. All in one motion bend at waist while pulling right arm on and shift to left pulling on and standing up straight.

Just read what I typed and sounds totally jacked but that is the trick and it works... Just takes a few times to get your timing down

 

ha yeah I totally agree. My daily suit has been chest zip for a few years. This past summer (that's when I buy wetsuites) I decided I was over it and got a back zip.

After wearing it a couple times i'm back to my old chest zip. it lets in way less water. Now I have a brand new suite that i never wear...

You're right, it does get eaiser once you do it a few times. I find that pacing in a circle and cursing to the high heavens help too

Cheers homie!

 

Dudes, a wetsuite shouldn't be a hassle to get on and off, if it's like that, go a different route. You'll be tired before you even hit the water if you're struggling that much lol, and who wants to battle with their suite when they're exhausted from a long session?

 

I did yesterday morning lol, was nippy at sunrise but got warm and ended up in board shorts in the afternoon

 

"nippy"?? This morning it was 35*F, water 45*F.
We consider that a heat-wave this time of year.......

 

I know Barry, I know. I really didn't need it, just felt like wearing it for the 1st time this season, gonna need it soon.

 

Well, enjoy it--you are in a nice area to be a surfer.
Up here, surfers consider themselves "hardy". Nice, but if only they could actually surf....

 

Agreed, it was gorgeous out yesterday, water felt great even in shorts. I want to surf your area one of these days though. I'm not afraid of the cold, been frost bitten before lol

So there is this dolphin that has been after me, he jumped RIGHT next to me two days ago after he rode a set wave in right in front of me, this same dolphin almost knocked me out once before just down the road from the same spot. Yeah it's him, I never forget a face. He is huge up close and if he landed on me by accident I would still be sleeping.

 

I definitely prefer back zip over front zip... I have a Psycho III back zip and Xcel front zip, and I swear the Xcel lets more water in. And is definitely more of a pain to get on and off.

 

Havent bought a suite in a while. I have a front zip which feels like im gonna break it wide open when i get to my shoulders. I hate that suite, used it 2xs. Basically brand new 654 for $100 if anyone needs. Ive been using a no zip for years. I love that suit and its no struggle getting on or off. Its a rip curl ultimate elasto

 

lol that's exactly what I do,take the suit off in the shower.i used a front zip once,when I rented one back in 09 from unlimited surf in lbi.i was not a fan,but I only had it for a week.definitly a pain to get into but I think its like that with all winter suites.like I have a back zip 4/3 and its a biatch getting in and out of,especially when ur changing outside in 30 degree air temps.and the Velcro from the neck always seems to get stuck to the inside after I finally get the suit completely on.also the back of my neck is well exposed and its impossible to keep water from getting in but again it doesn't affect me.

 

Did it feel tight like that in the shop? My experience with 5 mil chest zips is they feel really hard to get in and out of in the shop, but after just one or two sessions if they are sized properly its pretty easy.