Why Do Wetsuits Zip in the Back?

While a full wetsuit is a great option for diving and surfing, especially on colder, windier days, donning and doffing it can sometimes be a struggle. Therefore, a back zipper became a solution to this problem. It provides a large opening making it significantly easier to put a wetsuit on and take it off. It is located along the spine and has an adjustable collar closure. However, it is worth noting that such a large opening allows more water to enter the wetsuit, which may be its weak link. Fortunately, manufacturers solved this issue by adding extra material along the spine that seals a zipper.

This closure type works well for all water activities but is most frequently used for scuba diving. Additionally, a back zip wetsuit for diving should have some specific requirements. I.e., neoprene for diving should withstand higher pressure at the depth and abrasion from scuba gear. For these reasons scuba diving wetsuits are usually made of less stretchy material, making the back zip closure perfect for dive wear.

How to Put a Back Zip Wetsuit on?

Whereas springsuits with a back zipper are effortless to put on by simply stepping in them, donning and doffing a full back zip wetsuit may be a bit more challenging. Firstly, pull your wetsuit over your foot and ankle. Gently work it up to your knees and over your thigh. Be careful not to dig into the wetsuit with nails, especially if it is made of soft, thin, unlined neoprene. Then pull the fabric up and over your hips until the wetsuit is at your crotch. Make sure that the fabric around your legs is not twisted. Grabbing as much material as possible to evenly cover your whole body, pull the suit up over your torso. Now put one sleeve on at a time, making sure there is no twisting along your arm. Finally, zip a wetsuit up (or down in case of a reverse zipper) by pulling on a long tab. Here, you might need some help from your buddy, especially on your first dives.

Pro tip: after zipping a wetsuit, try to pull the neoprene from the places where it is likely to fold: waist, under knees, and armpits, to once again evenly flatten it all over the body and avoid tightening on the shoulder area.

Are Back Zip Wetsuits Good for Surfing?

The short answer is yes, but it should preferably be a surfing-specific wetsuit (not a back zip scuba wetsuit that you just use for surfing). As well as divers, many surfers prefer back zip closure for its wide opening and more effortless donning and doffing. Who doesn’t like it when things get easier? That being said, the long back zipper is not flexible, thus it may cause some tightness on the spine and shoulder area. To balance that, the back zip wetsuit for surfing should be made of extra stretch material. While surfing, you don’t need to dive deep, so there won’t be any water pressure the wetsuit has to withstand. But you have to move a lot, so it’s better to choose a very flexible soft neoprene suit.

Which Lasts Longer - Back-Zip or Chest-Zip Wetsuit?

Generally, back-zip wetsuits tend to last longer since the material experiences less stress from stretching compared to chest zips. However, longevity also depends on materials and care.

Are Chest Zip Wetsuits Warmer Than Back Zip?

Yes, chest zip wetsuits are typically warmer because they have a smaller entry point and fewer seams, reducing water entry. This design makes them a popular choice for colder water activities.