An "Easy-off" Wetsuit?

[Banana]

My wetsuit is really hard to remove. It's a Hurley with no zippers. I am planning to get a new wetsuit.

I'm considering the Xcel Infiniti X- Zip 2 5/4/3, but am concerned it will be hard to get out of (haven't tried one yet). What are your experiences? Is a full zip in the front or back a good idea? I'm willing to sacrifice a little warmth for easy-in-easy-out.

Thanks,

Al

[tony g]

I have the Xcel Infiniti X-Zip 2 5/4/3 wetsuit right now and I love it. It is a little bit difficult to get on and off when you first get it, but once you get your routine down it is fairly east. I like to reach inside the wetsuit and grab it under the arm pits and flip it open. By doing this you have a much bigger opening and it is fairly easy to get on. I think most of the new wetsuits out there that have minimal flushing entry systems are a little harder to get on and off, but I think it's well worth the sacrifice. All in all great wetsuit and the quality and flexibility are going to be tough to beat. I think you are going to be stoked!

[surf doc]

I have this suit in a 4/3 and at first it was a b*&%$ to get on/off, now it's a little easier. Like tony said I think you'll find that most decent wetsuits at the thickness you're interested in will require a bit of towel tango. The xcel infiniti is a great suit, I've surfed to lower 50's water temp, no gloves no booties in the 4/3 for 2 hours+ without feeling cold. Good flex too.

[Banana]

Thanks for the info. Please tell me the pros and cons of either a rear zip, or a full arm-to-arm front zip.

Tony, I will be up in Portland soon, and I may stop in at your shop. Would you have a few suits in my size available to try out (I'm 5' 11" and 156 pounds)?

[tony g]

The main advantage of a chest zip wetsuit is you do not get flushed down the back when pushing through waves, or duck diving. Back zip wetsuits usually cost less and are easier to get on and off, but when a waves hits you just right, you get a rush of cold water down your back. The trade off is a chest zip is a little harder to get on and off and more expensive, but warmer in the water. Hope that helps!

[surf doc]

The main advantage of a chest zip wetsuit is you do not get flushed down the back when pushing through waves, or duck diving. Back zip wetsuits usually cost less and are easier to get on and off, but when a waves hits you just right, you get a rush of cold water down your back. The trade off is a chest zip is a little harder to get on and off and more expensive, but warmer in the water. Hope that helps!

All true. I will just add that many people feel that front zips have more flex to them, if you think about it, having a zipper on your back can stiffen the suit. Having surfed in both that was my experience as well, especially when arching my back to paddle hard.

[dtc]

If you have a back zip and the little string falls off the zip, you look like an idiot putting it on and trying to do the zip up, and then you are stuck in it forever...(or at least until you can find someone to help you). I probably should find some friends...

Front zips do have much more flex and are particularly good if you are thin around the waist, because you can get a narrow waist and stretch the shoulders out much more than a back zip (otherwise you have either tight shoulders and fitted waist, or huge gaps at the waist and shoulders that fit).

That said, I tried an O'Neill (too small in shoulders), Billabong (could not even get it on), xcel (great and the one I bought), rip curl (fine if I didnt want to move my arms at all) and about 4 others (very exhausting 1/2 hour). So just because one front zip fits you or you can get into one doesnt mean all will fit you.

On the other hand, back zips are definitely easier to get on and seem to be more consistent with sizing. Plus you can do the cool surfer thing of wearing it around your waist after you surf.