Wet-suits Front zip or back zip ?

[madworld]

Wet-suits Front zip or back zip ?

[alamos_kiter]

Surfing: back zip. For the rest: just the same.

[Starsky]

kiting, go back zip......why opt for a hassle, when we really don't suffer from flush the same way?

[davesails7]

I tried a front zip, but it didn't seem to be any better than back zip. I have to body drag far out sometimes to foil which gets water down my neck. I also get water down the neck from falling at speed.

Front zip is WAY more of a pain to put on and off.

My front zip didn't have an integral hood though, maybe that makes the difference.

[tmcfarla]

I prefer back-zip, but fit is far more important than where the zipper is.

[NDkiter]

Front Zip for manly men with big chests.

Have tried many back zip and they just do not seem to come together and zip properly for me. Keep in mind I am built like a bear at 250 lbs. Front zip are so much easier for me to get into.

If you have a buddy to zip you up then it would not matter, but I hate asking someone to zip up the back of my wetsuit. Feel like a girl getting on a back zip dress, not a good feeling for me.

[tr3v]

I use both regularly, both Mystics (newer front zip legend, and 2 year old back-zip crossfire).

Front zip is warmer but takes a bit of getting used to. If you are not very flexible (shoulders) then stick with a back-zip. My front-zip wetsuit also has a convenient space for putting my camera, that I can pull out for random snaps.

The back-zip seems more prone to wear and tear, and as the velcro wears the zip becomes susceptible to coming down and letting the water in.

[lindseym]

I kited with a back zip for a long time and then switched to a front in hopes that less water would flush in when crashing and body dragging. All in all, i've still found that water still gets in with a front zip, but not as much (I have a mystic 3mm majestic). If water getting in your suite is a big concern you may want to look into the hyperflex Voodoo front zip. Try it on before you buy...neck is a little tight but friends of mine who have their love them. Ultimately, my goal with a wetsuit is the feeling of mobility and zipper location doesnt matter but that's just me. The mystic is pretty good but there might be better ones out there. Again, try on before you buy if you are able to. Let us know what you end up with.

[fpvSB]

Front zippers are usually for colder conditions and conditions where there's a lot of duck diving. Personally, the front zip gives me less rash because of the continuous neck seam.

[alexeyga]

The problem with the front zip - is that unless you're a shoulder-less shnore, there's no way of getting out of one without somebody else's help. Nor they are particularly warmer. Not to mention that most decent back-zippers nowadays come with a membrane what covers the whole zipper. Be weary about the hood - if it's a built-in one - make sure it fits properly without popping your eyes out. Otherwise I'd go with a separate one that actually fits. Cheers!