I've only ever had wetsuits with back zips and they can be a difficult to close. Are wetsuits with chest zip closures better?
They are harder to get into, and if you have a shoulder complaint can be a bit of a nightmare.
Other than that they are a better fit and don't get a cold flush on your back.
I found the front zip design of some brands significantly easier to put on than others. Go to your local store and try them on.
How about getting a longer zipper leash?
An end with a loop that you can hook on somewhere?
I use both. Front zips let less water in but are harder to get into. Getting in may seem almost impossible the first time you try one, but gets easier with practice. In general, front zip mostly for colder water, back zip when it's warmer, but I also have a 2 mm front zip with short sleeves that's just as easy to get into as a back zip that gets a lot of water time.
I have a spring suit with a zip across the left shoulder. It seems to be pretty good and doesn't let in much water.
God damn I hate front zips. Talk about designing a way to make putting on a wetsuit suck as much as possible.
Select to expand quoteGasHazard said..
I've only ever had wetsuits with back zips and they can be a difficult to close. Are wetsuits with chest zip closures better?
I have O'Neil Psycho in 5.5/4 and 4/3, both with front zipper. I'd never go back to back zipper unless I'd sail in 25+ degrees weather.
Front zip are so much more comfortable. Combining a rear zipper with a harness anchoring the bottom halfseverely limits your flexability. Sized right, front zips are easier to put on then back zips.
front zips are the go...got stuck in the heat unable to pull back zipper down....almost had to cut the thing off. Front zips are not much good for long scuba dives...they trap air unless you empty progressively on your back. When reaching shallower water the last time I dived the air inside expanded and I shot to the surface uncontrollably. A no no if a long and deep dive just completed. I have the front zippers for yachting only now and a breeze to take off in a hurry if needed. Highly reccomended.
Front zips are a little harder to put on but much easier to zip up than back zips
I agree with the front zip for colder times as they dont let much water in, if any. Thats because the zip is usually above the water when you are swimming around. I had 2 summer suits with a front zip, and as you have to put your head through the neck of the suit the neoprene split on both, way before the rest of the suit wore out. Friends had similar experiences. But we are retired and are on the water lot.
If you paddle board, you cant have the suit unzipped for when its too hot, as a front zip doesnt make much difference.
Front zips are definitely easier to do up, but are harder to get into.
I've also found that modern stretchy neoprene is warmer and more comfortable (or should that be super stretchy, super warm and super comfortable in today's speak), but the seams fail as they cant cope with all the stretching.
I've just got a zipperless suit and it's awesome. Requires a little bit of flexibility to get into but complete freedom once on
Now we're on wetsuits , are liquid taped seems any good or do they fail quickly? And are the new thermo fleece linings good enough for me to drop from a 4.3 to a 3.2?
I have 2 front zips, both are not difficult to get on. I tried several brands and found ONeil techno butter super stretchy. Ultimately I choose based on fit, with Patagonia for 4/3 and Manera for 2mm shorty. Not all front zippers are the same. The Patagonia zips from left shoulder to right. The Manera from right to left (and then snaps to hold in place), which I prefer.
I have 2 front zips, both are not difficult to get on. I tried several brands and found ONeil techno butter super stretchy. Ultimately I choose based on fit, with Patagonia for 4/3 and Manera for 2mm shorty. Not all front zippers are the same. The Patagonia zips from left shoulder to right. The Manera from right to left (and then snaps to hold in place), which I prefer.
For me it depends on the wetsuit thickness.
Chest zip suits are way more flexible to wear for wave sailing and often remain dryer inside due to less 'flush'. But they are way more difficult and time consuming to get on.
So I find I'm happy with a chest zip suit in the 3/2 or 4/3mm sizes, but in winter I prefer a back zip suit in the thicker 5/4mm size because it's so much easier and quicker to get on and off in a cold wind-swept car park.
Keeping warm is obviously important, but so is getting on the water fast, when maybe you have limited time.
On a cold day, if it takes a while to get yourself 'suited and booted' then that can put you off getting out there in the first place.
I'm the opposite, in winter time I really love my front zipped suit with integrated hoody. :)
In summer it doesn't matter so much.
Select to expand quoteSurferKris said..
I'm the opposite, in winter time I really love my front zipped suit with integrated hoody. :)
In summer it doesn't matter so much.
That's so true If you need to use a hood in winter then a chest zip allows that, and some good winter suits have them attached, as being perfect for surfers needing to duck dive in cold water.
I personally won't use a hood to windsurf/wavesail in, because you just can't 'hear' where you are going.
In winter if it's that cold then I use a neoprene 'beanie' instead, or maybe a lightweight crash helmet which keeps the windchill off your head. Both of those headwear options work with a back zip.
When I had the chest zip winter suit with the hood attached, I found I was forever pushing it back off my head - to bring back the sound of the real world. But maybe that's just me - I'm not a fan of wearing boots either, because of the way they disconnect you from the board.
But if you need to wear neoprene gloves when windsurfing in winter, then you probably need some good headwear and some neoprene boots as well. Here in the UK that's thankfully only an issue from January to March.
Select to expand quoteGestalt said..
God damn I hate front zips. Talk about designing a way to make putting on a wetsuit suck as much as possible.
Don't try a no zip either 
re:front zip
I tried putting it on in a shop and after a long struggle decided it was too much trouble.
Rare for me to weigh into anything, but as a 55yr old regular surfer & summer wavesailor, have had lots of wetties over the years
For me, Ocean&Earth Zero Zip is super easy to get on (does take a few goes to master), flexy & warm at a good price
get a sailing wetsuit and you will notice how much better they are for windsurfing instantly.
so easy to get into and so flexible. they are also extremely warm when you get the 3mm ones.
I am keeping my back zips. Never failed me and never will. Besides can tie a beanie to the zip leash-simple and handy. Tried front zips ( Mystic, O neill etc).
Getting in, lets say OK, getting out equals almost shoulder dislocation. If it is freezing cold, rainy and gloomy and nukkie windy, with no proper shelter- last thing I want is to to be in a front zip wetsuit.
Tried a front zip for a couple of years, much prefer the back zip. But I'm an old inflexible male.
Select to expand quoteBig Al said..
Severne wetsuit.....NO zip. Awesome x 10
I have a Severne without zip. It's a bit tight but it's a great suit. After a few outing it's loosened up and is a bit easier to in & out. No cold back and I can even put my neo vest over the top. It's Severne too.
I've dropped a few kegs and this winter looks to be great for using it LOL
I have rounded shoulders and a sway back. This makes closing a back zip a real problem. I have to tie a long piece of line to the pull and connect to a tree or van or something. Then it is a dance to pull the zip away from my back and pull up. Even better is to ask some passerby to close it for me. Meet people that way.
A front zip is much easier for me.
My xcel 4.5x5.5 winter suit is awesome front zipped, easy to get on and after the first couple of sails easy to get off. Just make sure You have a couple of friends nearby to help you get out the first time
