Chest Zip vs Back Zip Wetsuit: A Complete Comparison Guide
Other than the side of the zipper, the main difference between these two wetsuits is the way they fit around the neck. With the chest zip wetsuit, you cannot tighten the neck. On the other hand, the back zip wetsuit comes with the Velcro strap attachment. It will help you to adjust the tightness around the neck perfectly at any time.
Check the article below to know more differences between chest zip vs back zip wetsuit.
Features of Chest Zip Wetsuit
Both men’s chest zip wetsuit and women's chest zip wetsuit aids to keep you warm. It contains a much shorter, flat, or diagonal zip around the chest. The top collar is connected as a hinge and will fold back entirely when you open the zipper.
Other chest zip wetsuits have a zip that remains connected. It means you spend less time attempting to put the zip together. Chest zip wetsuits ensure a great fit and allow less water inside the suit. So, a chest zip wetsuit for men will be warmer than back zip wetsuits.
Its shorter size and location on the wetsuit reduce the interruption to your flexibility. As a result, it provides you with a complete range of movement around your back and shoulders.
Features of Back Zip Wetsuit
Back zip wetsuit is the more old-school type of entry method. It comes with a Velcro strap attachment. With the help of the attachment, you can adjust the fit of the wetsuit according to your preference. A back zip wetsuit will contain a vertical zipper on the rear of the wetsuit. The zipper generally starts from the top and ends in the waist.
You will find a broad opening on the back of such a wetsuit. So, you face no wriggling on the hips via a head-sized hole. It also keeps your arms in a comfortable position, unlike chest zip wetsuit for women.
It is easier to retrieve from the water for people wearing a back zip wetsuit. The zip area of a back zip wetsuit does not stretch. As a result, you might find it restraining when paddling out in the waves. This wetsuit is more inclined to flushing, particularly on low-priced wetsuits. Therefore, you might feel the tremor of cold water down your backside if you fall in the water.
Recommended Chest Zip Wetsuit
We are recommending three chest zip wetsuits here. These are some of the best in the market. Check the below table to find out their features.
O'Neill Men's Hyperfreak Chest Zip Wetsuit | Ho Stevie Chest Zip Wetsuit | Seaskin Men's Surfing Chest Zip Wetsuit |
|---|---|---|
  |   |   |
It is built with soft and extremely stretchy neoprene | It is built with premium stretchy neoprene and double-lined with awesome elastic nylon fabric. | It is built with 3 millimeters of premium stretchy neoprene and double-lined with excellent elastic nylon. |
Comes with a unified paddle zones' flexible design | Comes with a velcro collar which you can adjust according to your need | It features an adjustable neckband that comes with a velcro attachment. |
It is suitable to wear for surfing, diving, paddle sports, lake actions, and seaside day | It is appropriate to wear for diving, snorkeling, surfing, swimming, rafting, paddling, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and more | It is suitable to wear for jet skiing, swimming, surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, diving, white water rafting, and more |
Features a wind-resistant smooth skin that delivers additional insulation and safety against the cold | Comes with an anti-abrasion knee pad that provides a better safeguard for your knee | Comes with a UV protection layer that reduces UV damages |
Recommended Back Zip Wetsuit
There are many back zip wetsuits out there in the market. Check the below table to find out the features of the three best back zip wetsuits recommended by us.
O'Neill Men's Reactor Back Zip Complete Wetsuit | XUKER Complete Body Dive Back Zip Wetsuit | DIVE & SAIL Back Zip Wetsuit |
|---|---|---|
  |   |   |
It is built with soft and extremely stretchy neoprene. | It is built with premium stretchy neoprene and double-lined with awesoame elastic nylon fabric. | It is built with 3 millimeters of premium stretchy neoprene and double-lined with excellent elastic nylon. |
Comes with a unified paddle zones' flexible design. | Comes with a velcro collar which you can adjust according to your need. | It features an adjustable neckband that comes with a velcro attachment. |
It is suitable to wear for surfing, diving, paddle sports, lake actions, and seaside day. | It is appropriate to wear for diving, snorkeling, surfing, swimming, rafting, paddling, boating, kayaking, canoeing, and more. | It is suitable to wear for jet skiing, swimming, surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, diving, white water rafting, and more. |
Features a wind-resistant smooth skin that delivers additional insulation and safety against the cold. | Comes with an anti-abrasion knee pad that provides a better safeguard for your knee. | Comes with a UV protection layer that reduces UV damages. |
Chest Zip Vs Back Zip Wetsuit: What are the Key Differences?
Key points | Chest Zip Wetsuit | Back Zip Wetsuit |
|---|---|---|
Flexibility | More Flexible | Less Flexible |
Rashness in neck | Does not rash your neck | Rashes your neck |
Adjustable Tightness | It is not adjustable around the neck | Comes with adjustable tightness across the neck. |
Ease Of Use | Difficult to get in and out of | Easy to get in and out of |
Flexibility
You will love the way chest zip wetsuits fit across the neck. This wetsuit is very comfy and doesn’t leak water during duck-diving or getting banged by waves. Chest zip wetsuits are more flexible compared to back zip wetsuits.
On the other hand, a back zip 3mm or 5mm wetsuit has less elasticity and a free collar. A large amount of water can penetrate the suit via this collar. It is particularly unwelcoming on cold days.
Rashness in Neck
The chest zip 7mm wetsuit does not have a Velcro attachment. Also, there is no requirement to attach the neck. As a result, a chest zip wetsuit does not rash your neck.
But a back zip wetsuit comes with a Velcro attachment. It can begin to rash your neck when it becomes old and worn out
Adjustable Tightness
A chest zip wetsuit is not flexible around the neck. At times, a brand new chest zip suit can be very tight across your neck till it becomes worn out.
On the contrary, a back zip wetsuit comes with adjustable tightness across the neck. You can attach it anywhere you like
Ease Of Use
Chest zip wetsuits are very difficult to get in and out of. The opening is very broad, almost like your shoulders. It makes the wetsuit hard to get on and even further hard to get off.
The back zip wetsuit comes with a back zip which is stitched vertically from the rear of your collar to the bottom of your backbone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Get the answer to some commonly asked questions here.
Is chest zip or back zip better for wetsuit?
The answer to this question mainly relies on what you need from your wetsuit. A back zip wetsuit is simpler to get in and out of, while a chest zip wetsuit lets less water in. Chest zip wetsuits are warmer compared to back zip wetsuits.
Are chest zip wetsuits easier?
Chest zip wetsuits are not easy to get in and out of, particularly when it is a little wet. Sometimes people become exhausted and cold, and they are required to speed up the procedure.
Is a back zip wetsuit good?
A back zip wetsuit tends to last longer and also offers less movement. In addition, a back zip wetsuit tends to be far roomier. It’s because the zip at the back opens comparatively broad, meaning that you can slip into it with comfort.
Why are wetsuit zips on the back?
With the back zip, access is very expansive. Thereby you can open the wetsuit without slipping or bending over. For this reason, diving centers tend to use them more often.
How to put on a chest zip wetsuit?
Firstly, reach inside the chest zip wetsuit with both your arms. Then, hold around the hips and get your first leg in. After that, slip it via the chest zip wetsuit and recurrence the procedure with the other foot. Next, get the right arm in and take the excess to the topmost. Finally, slip in the left arm and fetch the neck in.
Chest Zip Vs Back Zip Wetsuit: Which One Is Better?
Whether it is a zipperless wetsuit or a chest, front or back zip wetsuits, each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Chest zip wetsuits are more flexible and don’t rash your neck. Back zip wetsuits come with adjustable tightness across the neck and are easy to wear and remove.
Both of them are good, and you need to find out which one works best for you. We are hopeful that this article on chest zip vs back zip wetsuit has helped you to find out that.
