What happened to full front zipper winter wetsuits ?!

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What happened to full front zipper winter wetsuits ?!

by Scott Ridley
(Waterboro, Maine)

I have been surfing the cold waters of New England & the Northwest for over 37 years. To me, it not a wetsuit, but, a survial suit. I have had 2 full front zip suits & 2 back zip suits.

The front zip wetsuit is by far my favorite for ease of entry & exit. I have never had any problems with them at all, even in 35 degree water! My 2/3mm summer suit is a climb through the neck opening & since the material is thin, getting in & out is no ploblem.

The heavier 4/5/6mm suits where you climb into a tiny hole in the neck is fine if you are twenty something & very flexable. At 53 years old, trying to climb into that 4/5/6mm suit through the neck is a lot of work. I am pretty tired & have to rest before going out surfing. Getting out of the suit after your "surfed out" is impossible! I have to go get help to get my elbows out of that neck opening.

It seams like no one makes them any more & I'm not ready to quit winter surfing. The only company I have found so far that makes a full front zipper entry is the 5/4 Ultra Hot Combo from Hotline. Is there anyone else?

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What happened to full front zipper winter wetsuits ?!

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Mar 19, 2011
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I AGREE
by: CHUBBY

I pretty much freaked out when O'neill stopped making the full front zip. I never liked the hood though. I thought it was too thin and stretchy and got flushed easily. However, I never thought it really restricted my movement. It had a much better design than the hotline full front zip. Ease of entry and especially exit is the difference between stoke and suffering with a bone numbing wind blowing. A lot of guys drive home in their suit and take it off in the shower. That's not bad if you live near the beach but if you've got a drive it sucks.

May 15, 2010
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XCEL INFINITI FRONT ZIP
by: Chris

Here is what I came up with:

5/4/3mm Men's XCEL INFINITI Hooded Fullsuit

Here is a description:

"The 5/4/3mm Men's XCEL INFINITI X-Zip2 Hooded Fullsuit is the recipient of the SIMA Wetsuit of the Year Award! This winter wetsuit has everything you need to stay warm on frigid days. Features 100% lightweight superstretch neoprene for maximum flexibility without the typical bulk found in cold water wetsuits. The seams are sealed and taped to keep cold water from trickling in, and the inside is lined with XCEL's enviro conscious bamboo fleece which wicks moisture from your skin. The horizontal chest zip is water repellant with an inside seal, and has been reconfigured for easier on/off. Also features: Less panels and seams for greater flexibility, wind resistant chest and hood, wrist and ankle gaskets to reduce flushing, and durable kneepads."

Hope this helps. There aren't a whole lot of front zip 5/4 surfing wetsuits.

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