Front Zip/ Back Zip/ Zipperless Wetsuits

by Chris

What is the best wetsuit? The front zip, the back zip or zipperless?

• Zipperless Wetsuits: My opinion of the zipperless trend of about 10 years ago was that they sucked. It just made it a pain to get in and out of without much gain. I'm glad that style has largely faded away.



• Back Zip Wetsuits: These have worked out just fine for me. I buy pretty high end suits and don't have too many problems. Easy enough for me reach back there and zip the thing up. Sure, eventually there is a little water flushing down the back and some minor neck rash. Usually when that happens it is almost time for a new wetsuit anyway...about 1.5 years of fairly regular use.



• Front Zip Wetsuits: I don't know a whole lot about. From what I have read some people think they have less water leakage down the neck. Other people say that they are easier or harder to get into. Front zip seams to refer specifically to chest zip wetsuits as this is where that front zip has migrated to for most surfing wetsuits. It appears the chest zip causes less discomfort when lying on a surfboard than the old stlye front zip.

Speaking for myself, I will be sticking with the good old back zip unless somebody can convince me to try one of the front zips.

What do you think?