Chest Zip Vs Back Zip Vs Zipperless: Which Wetsuit Is Right For You?

The pros and cons of all. 

*Wetsuit innovation has been all over the shop for the past 50-years.

*Chest zips offer superior seal, back zips best entry and zipperless maximum flex.

*Choice is a personal one and there is no wrong answer.

Ever since cold water pioneer Jack O'Neill revolutionised the humble wetsuit for surfing back in 1952, innovation has been on a bit of a roller-coaster.

Some of those tech-breakthrough highs mean additional water time, with wetsuits able to retain warmth and wick water away quicker, offering some internal drying wizardry that just works. Others promise the world and just don't deliver, no matter what the marketing says.

When it comes to buying a wetsuit, it's always the same questions; how much is it? And, what entry system do I need?

Even back when Jack was playing around with different wetsuit designs, he iterated on the first front-zip suit, which are still around today in the form of wetsuit jackets. But as a full suit? They're not as comfy as other counter parts.

Although chest zips seem the standard these days, back zips are making a bit of a resurgence in line-ups, maybe because of a nostalgia edge, or maybe because surfers are realising it's just easier with a back zip.

What isn't easier is standing on the shore of Les Estagnots, watching overheard caverns emerge from flat water. Paddling out, spinning to take off and have your back zip pull chord trap under your hand, causing you to pause and get smoked into the sand. 2012, not my finest moment.

Whatever you choose, there's pros and cons to all systems, let's dig in and take a look.

Back Zip – Easiest Entry

There's a reason why this entry system was popularised over time; the back zip makes getting in, and out, of your wetsuit, very easy. The whole back can be zipped up thanks to a chord at the back, which you can pass up between your hands, if your arms aren't long enough. Most back zip wetsuits these days have a neoprene or natural rubber flap under the zip to prevent water getting in. There's also a velcro tab at the top to keep the zipper from coming loose, holding it in place at the top of the neck.

There's a neck seal, to help stop water flushing through. And while it works, it's not as tight a seal as the chest zip, meaning a back zip could be more suited to warmer water. Most back zips these days are found in budget suits, or made for kids. But this doesn't mean you should rule them out. For example, if you have trouble with movement, then back zips are superior for getting in and out of.

Chest Zip – Superior Seal

The modern darling of wetsuit zippers, the chest zip is what you'll see when looking around the line up. Why? Maybe it's because it looked different, more fashionable, at first than the decades' old back zip. But with fashion come function, as the chest zip offers a better seal across your body, meaning less water's going to get into your suit, or less flushing anyway. A chest zip also offers way more stretch than the back zip; imagine having a long, plastic spine run down your back, that zip isn't going to move when you paddle. The chest zip doesn't restrict you as much when paddling, meaning for performance, they're the superior choice.

When it comes to choosing a chest zip wetsuit, look at the actual zip. Some zips are attached and zip from the right to the left. Others can detach, and you have to do the zip up from the bottom to the top. There are benefits to both sides; the attached zip means no fumbling to thread it with chilly fingers, but comes with extra bulky reinforcement where the zip starts to prevent flushing. The alternative gives a bit more stretch through the suit but can be tricky when you're getting changed in the cold. Find out what works for you and go from there.

Zipperless – Maximum Flex 

'But how does water stay out?' Easy, through a series of neoprene layers that criss-cross over and create a bit of a seal. It's the same entry as a chest zip, but with way more flex, given there's no zip at all to get in the way.

Zipperless systems are often found in the higher-end wetsuits. They're great for the competitive surfer who needs that 1% extra while paddling, or chucking buckets out the back. For the every surfer, the additional flex may be negligible, but it's there nonetheless. The downside is, they're a bit stiffer to get on, with the neck a bit smaller and tighter to prevent flushing. Worth a try if you're feeling experimental.

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Whatever wetsuit you decide to try, we've got a full range in stock at 10 Over Surf Shop – of if you're still unsure about what to buy, hit us up via email and we'll guide you on your way.