Help finding a zipperless wetsuit!

[carbuf6727]

I'm 5'3 and I would like to get a zipperless suit but Im having trouble finding any, especially with my size. I've never had one before and was wondering how hard they are to wear, if they are comfortable etc. So any help is appreciated.

[smallwavegrovellerchick]

I'm 5'3 also. My O'Neill suit is in a short size but it does zipper in the back down the spine. I know that there are front/chest zip wetsuits but I haven't heard of any zipperless wetsuits. I'm not sure how you would get in and out of the suit without a zipper. I absolutely hate wearing wetsuits and will only wear neoprene if the water temp is painfully cold (50s or lower) or there are really chilly winds. Wetsuits feel like catsuits made of neoprene. Hard to put on, feels great to take off...but I guess you get used to them if you need to wear one to surf.

[carbuf6727]

see I love wetsuits. They are so warm, and have become a good friend. But I live in the pacific NW so its different. Yea some companies have zipperless suits.

[Granite]

I just got a zipperless BodyGlove Stormtrooper, 5/4/3, which was well reduced. Bugger to get on and off at first but you get used to it. Check out www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk for the suit and size guide.

[carbuf6727]

Wont that be expensive to get it from a u.k site since im in the us?

[isaluteyou]

why are you set on getting a zipperless. Most people i ahve chatted to about them suggest that they are more of a hassle than a benefit

[carbuf6727]

because they are warmer..I have had many zippered and you always get water down the back of them

[long_man]

because they are warmer..I have had many zippered and you always get water down the back of them

the water down the back my be cold to start off with, but that's what helps keep you warm. your body heat heats the water in the wetsuit and ends up warming you......

PS im not saying that your wetsuit should let alot of water in, just a bit

Zipperless wetsuits........you dont want one of them......

[carbuf6727]

oh i know it would help me, but thats what pee is for also haha..jk..

[Granite]

Wont that be expensive to get it from a u.k site since im in the us?

Aye, it would be expensive. Didn't realise you were in USA, am sure your location wasn't there before. No worries.

Zip or no zip isn't imporant, main thing is correct fit for you. Try a few different brands as sizes vary greatly, best not to target one type and rule out others that may suit you better. In saying that, avoid Rip Curl.

[RJD]

dont buy a wettie without trying it on.

As for water down the back of the neck, a zip isnt always the cause of that.

[carbuf6727]

well i was looking at a brit surf mag and they had some awsome suits im gonna check out

[easty]

http://www.ripcurl.com/thebomb/

go for an Ebomb

[carbuf6727]

well i noticed billabong i think has a suit with a hybrid zip think..looks pretty cool.

[niallhills]

waow i never knew you could get zipperless ones...no water going down my back! awesome...il be gettin me one of those

[carbuf6727]

Yep they pretty cool..I tried one on and they are hard to get off but prolly worth it

[grammarnazi]

I've got a 5/4 Hotline Firefly hooded. (Company is based in Santa Cruz.) It did take some practice to figure out a system of getting in/out, but once you've done it a few times, it does get much easier (and quicker). Super warm. I'm a 5'0" girl, and have TONS of problems finding brands that fit. The smallest size of this suit is a bit too long in places, but snug enough to keep me warm. Liked it so much I bought two.

http://www.hotlineonline.com/

Here's the link to their Oregon dealers:
http://www.hotlineonline.com/dealers/northwest.shtml

[temptations_wings]

Non-zip suits are more flexible than the zips because they having nothing on the back to disturb the suit's elasticity, but when you take into account the actual range of motion most people use when surfing, the differences between the two are probably negligible.

Non-zip suits also prevent water from flushing down the back by not having a large entry running down the spine, but if you get caught inside on a wave with enough power, you're going to get the full flush through the neck anyhow.
Besides, a great deal of zip suits all have a batwing, zen zip, or someother element of design that gets pulled over the head and allows a zip suit to block out water and prevent flushing in a manner quite similar to a zipperless suit.

Zip or no zip isn't imporant, main thing is correct fit for you. Try a few different brands as sizes vary greatly, best not to target one type and rule out others that may suit you better. In saying that, avoid Rip Curl.

Personally, I own the e-bomb chest zip and I love the thing. Things can go wrong with rip curl suits, but as a company, they were very good about their warranty. The liquid seam tape on the inside of my suit was defective, causing all sorts of leaks, so I took it back to the shop where I got it. 10 days later, I had a brand new suit. The guy in the shop said that last years models had defective taping but it seems as though things have been sorted out for this year.

As for getting in and out of the suit, it can be difficult the first few times, but after a while you learn to houdini your way out without any trouble. Wearing a rashgaurd can also help to keep the suit from suctioning onto your body so much, and makes changing go much faster.

Last but not least, as Granite said, correct fit is everything. If the suit fits perfectly, it shouldent matter how the suit zips up.

[carbuf6727]

hmm..well do how about ones with hoods built in?

[isaluteyou]

Personally, I own the e-bomb chest zip and I love the thing. Things can go wrong with rip curl suits, but as a company, they were very good about their warranty. The liquid seam tape on the inside of my suit was defective, causing all sorts of leaks, so I took it back to the shop where I got it. 10 days later, I had a brand new suit. The guy in the shop said that last years models had defective taping but it seems as though things have been sorted out for this year.

Same thing happened to my ebomb took it back and got a brand new one within 3 days lol (well i live close to the main ripcurl outlet )

Anyways if you are so freaked out by a little bit of trickling water get a chest zip. And anyway a good wipeout will assure water gets flshed anyway. A wetsuit is exactly that WET!!!!!

As far as the difference in flexability everyone i have spoken to cannot tell the diff between zipperless and zipped. However one thing seems evident zipperless suits seem to fail and stretch out much quicker so im told anyway.