1:21 -- One thing I find helpful to avoid stressing the ankle seals is to put a thin plastic bag over my foot before sliding it into the leg of the suit. Then, once the suit is over my foot, I pull off the bag and put it in my duffel for re-use (or disposal if it's torn).
Thank you. I just inherited a used chest zip. I got the suit home and wondered how the hell I would get in it. This is so different from my wetsuit of 30 years ago, but the same principles. Again, thank you.
great video! what size wetsuit are you wearing in this video? I have a very tall and lean body...6'1 and about 155 pounds and I'm not very muscular. I've worn large suits that seem to fit me length wize but not width wise, I've also worn medium suits that fit great in the body but that I am much too tall for. What size would you recommend?
think i was a bit of a bad fit, i just got a 5/4/3 for here in southern victoria and its an Animal Animator, very nice but again a little small for my 6'5 frame, think the same think will happen again. maby time to move back to rear entry.
Strange! Sounds like it may have been a bad fit and the stress is due to overstretching when getting in and out of the suit, that can be the only thing that would cause enough strain on neoprene to do this. Either that or maybe hanging the wetsuit on wire hangers when it is wet?
my billabong foil got really stressed where the arms stretch out, like at the end of the zipper near arm pit, it got so bad that you could see daylight through it and of course it filled with cold water and was usless, i binned it, now its time for a suit (living in bali but going back to Oz) i am worried that it will happen again. is there anything i was mabe doing wrong that made it weak in this area. i am looking at getting the Aminal Aeon, thanks. BRad
@Brad Foster - No, you are not doing anything wrong. They all do it now. A 3/2 for example with 3mm chest/back/legs with 2mm arms/sides/gussets, the difference at the joins is 1mm which seems to cause a problem, possibly a different "stretch" ratio, weaker seam and usually goes within a season no matter how much you keep clean, salt free and dried in the shade. Word has it all the major brands are pretty much made in the same Taiwanese factory these days only swapping logos, templates etc. so, much the same in how long they last, about 3 to 4 months if you surf daily or about $3 to $5 a day! Sucks eh!
My Ripcurl dawn patrol is slowly falling apart at the neck entry, the bit that suffers the most stress when I put it on (I can feel the tension when I slip one arm through). It started to fray really badly and I sent it to Ripcurl for repair, they replaced the entire panel but now it's started to develop tears AGAIN. I'm only 2 inches above the recommended heighth for the size.
You can go to a taller size like Medium (M) go to a Medium Tall (MT) and so on but from what you are saying it's similar to my latest front zip and has only been used 5 times already starting to show this problem around the entire entry area. The neck is OK as it is high end "glideskin" type but not the point.
Kevin Hall Yea it's sorta put me off chest zips forever....I know 'flexibility' and 'flushing' but if it means destroying your wetsuit every time you put it on, I'd much rather get a back zip (and the better back zips suffer hardly any flushing now).
Fishfingers232 Exactly, I'm all but over chest zips anymore. The "Batwing" systems these days are good enough and have been good enough in the past for all local winter use! No more than 6 surfs and my chest zip is already coming apart at the arm/neck seam with the patch lifting and liquid tape split, stretch tears around the neck entry too! RRP was AUD $625 but even at half priced I'm pretty pissed! $300 bucks I could have got a great 5/4/3 back zip which previously lasted 2 winter seasons!
Kevin Hall Ironically, the further we develop wetsuit technology, the weaker the neoprene gets. The E3 neoprene that my ripcurl has in the upper body is amazingly comfortable and soft but it can't handle any stress at all, a few cheap supermarket wetsuits I have have suffered far more abuse but their older style 'stiff' neoprene still holds up. I can't really afford a back-zip version of the suit I have now, so I guess I'll have to just be really careful and limit my use of the chest-zip until next season.
Yeah you're right. weaker and thinner, 3/2 is lucky to be 1mm in the sleeves including the nylon/spandex covering! Comfortable as, but wears out fast and not nearly as warm as the old 3/2's that were clunky but true 3mm and 2mm. An "old" Aloha 4/3 "clunker" I got new for $50 (rrp $450) when Aloha Cronulla closed it's store (2006?) lasted 3 seasons plus was warm as toast mid Winter! Clunker maybe, but fit perfect off the rack, no chafe points, probably the best I've had for years.
Sorry, can't find one either, funny that eh? The latest Quiksilver Cypher Fuseflex 4.5mm is impossible to get off without help. No way you can pull it through the tiny "hole" like "a pair of pants" putting it on either. Warm as though but it's a real bitch to change in/out of.
Hi, The key is getting it over off from one shoulder and getting one arm out then it becomes a lot easier. We will look to do a video for this as well 0)
+Wetsuit centre Oops missed your reply. Agree, always get one arm out first then it is easy sailing. Found that getting LEFT arm out first is easier but really stretches the entry points. Opposite to putting on where you start with left arm then pull all the zippered side last. Maybe this is causing over-stretching and fraying of the edges. Have tried but can't seem to get the "zipper side" off first?
I’m im a 5 9 guy with a medium frame big broad chest back and shoulder I can’t get my back to zip up for nothing the side seal liner is either getting in the way or my back is too wide im about to say fuck it and just buy some wetsuit pants and shorts 200 big ones down the crapper boys
This video makes me squirm 😳😖 It sounds like your climbing into a balloon with it rubbing on your skin 😲😳. Anyhow I'm after an O'Neil epic 4/3 chest zip and they're out of stock everywhere. After size L....it's my first wetsuit to use for kayking snd snorkelling.
1:21 -- One thing I find helpful to avoid stressing the ankle seals is to put a thin plastic bag over my foot before sliding it into the leg of the suit. Then, once the suit is over my foot, I pull off the bag and put it in my duffel for re-use (or disposal if it's torn).
Thank you - I was really struggling with my new chest zip and the inside out trouser tip helps and is quicker than plastic bags :)
iv been using a back zip and just got my first chest zip. this really helped
Thank you. I just inherited a used chest zip. I got the suit home and wondered how the hell I would get in it. This is so different from my wetsuit of 30 years ago, but the same principles. Again, thank you.
getting the bloody thing off when its wet is 1000 times harder than putting it on dry.
Tom M it’s easier what do you mean
Hey Sorry for the slow reply! I was wearing a MT in this video, I would def recommend that size as im 6ft 1 and quite lean aswell!
great video! what size wetsuit are you wearing in this video? I have a very tall and lean body...6'1 and about 155 pounds and I'm not very muscular. I've worn large suits that seem to fit me length wize but not width wise, I've also worn medium suits that fit great in the body but that I am much too tall for. What size would you recommend?
nice one good video, takes the mystery out of the chest zip entry thank you
nice video, very helpful as im looking for the best suit for me. cheers
think i was a bit of a bad fit, i just got a 5/4/3 for here in southern victoria and its an Animal Animator, very nice but again a little small for my 6'5 frame, think the same think will happen again. maby time to move back to rear entry.
thanks never thought i was going to get it on
How about how to get your chest zip suit OFF after a long tiring session?
Awesome for the demo thanks a heap!
Strange! Sounds like it may have been a bad fit and the stress is due to overstretching when getting in and out of the suit, that can be the only thing that would cause enough strain on neoprene to do this. Either that or maybe hanging the wetsuit on wire hangers when it is wet?
my billabong foil got really stressed where the arms stretch out, like at the end of the zipper near arm pit, it got so bad that you could see daylight through it and of course it filled with cold water and was usless, i binned it, now its time for a suit (living in bali but going back to Oz) i am worried that it will happen again. is there anything i was mabe doing wrong that made it weak in this area. i am looking at getting the Aminal Aeon, thanks. BRad
but a plastic bag on you feet it makes them slide in easier :D
@Brad Foster - No, you are not doing anything wrong. They all do it now. A 3/2 for example with 3mm chest/back/legs with 2mm arms/sides/gussets, the difference at the joins is 1mm which seems to cause a problem, possibly a different "stretch" ratio, weaker seam and usually goes within a season no matter how much you keep clean, salt free and dried in the shade.
Word has it all the major brands are pretty much made in the same Taiwanese factory these days only swapping logos, templates etc. so, much the same in how long they last, about 3 to 4 months if you surf daily or about $3 to $5 a day! Sucks eh!
useful video. Thank you
Very helpful!
My Ripcurl dawn patrol is slowly falling apart at the neck entry, the bit that suffers the most stress when I put it on (I can feel the tension when I slip one arm through). It started to fray really badly and I sent it to Ripcurl for repair, they replaced the entire panel but now it's started to develop tears AGAIN. I'm only 2 inches above the recommended heighth for the size.
You can go to a taller size like Medium (M) go to a Medium Tall (MT) and so on but from what you are saying it's similar to my latest front zip and has only been used 5 times already starting to show this problem around the entire entry area. The neck is OK as it is high end "glideskin" type but not the point.
Kevin Hall Yea it's sorta put me off chest zips forever....I know 'flexibility' and 'flushing' but if it means destroying your wetsuit every time you put it on, I'd much rather get a back zip (and the better back zips suffer hardly any flushing now).
Fishfingers232 Exactly, I'm all but over chest zips anymore. The "Batwing" systems these days are good enough and have been good enough in the past for all local winter use! No more than 6 surfs and my chest zip is already coming apart at the arm/neck seam with the patch lifting and liquid tape split, stretch tears around the neck entry too! RRP was AUD $625 but even at half priced I'm pretty pissed! $300 bucks I could have got a great 5/4/3 back zip which previously lasted 2 winter seasons!
Kevin Hall Ironically, the further we develop wetsuit technology, the weaker the neoprene gets. The E3 neoprene that my ripcurl has in the upper body is amazingly comfortable and soft but it can't handle any stress at all, a few cheap supermarket wetsuits I have have suffered far more abuse but their older style 'stiff' neoprene still holds up. I can't really afford a back-zip version of the suit I have now, so I guess I'll have to just be really careful and limit my use of the chest-zip until next season.
Yeah you're right. weaker and thinner, 3/2 is lucky to be 1mm in the sleeves including the nylon/spandex covering! Comfortable as, but wears out fast and not nearly as warm as the old 3/2's that were clunky but true 3mm and 2mm. An "old" Aloha 4/3 "clunker" I got new for $50 (rrp $450) when Aloha Cronulla closed it's store (2006?) lasted 3 seasons plus was warm as toast mid Winter! Clunker maybe, but fit perfect off the rack, no chafe points, probably the best I've had for years.
Some people have found this helpful in terms of putting on either a chest or back zip wetsuit. A Guide To Putting On A Chest Zip And Back Zip Wetsuit
Thanks Jeff
Thanks very much
Ha no worries, they can be a struggle!
Hiii I wonder if someone could share me a link of "how to remove chest zip wetsuit"... Do you have one? Wetsuit centre?
Sorry, can't find one either, funny that eh? The latest Quiksilver Cypher Fuseflex 4.5mm is impossible to get off without help. No way you can pull it through the tiny "hole" like "a pair of pants" putting it on either. Warm as though but it's a real bitch to change in/out of.
Hi, The key is getting it over off from one shoulder and getting one arm out then it becomes a lot easier. We will look to do a video for this as well 0)
+Wetsuit centre Oops missed your reply. Agree, always get one arm out first then it is easy sailing.
Found that getting LEFT arm out first is easier but really stretches the entry points. Opposite to putting on where you start with left arm then pull all the zippered side last.
Maybe this is causing over-stretching and fraying of the edges. Have tried but can't seem to get the "zipper side" off first?
I wear hyperflex it's the easiest wetsuit for me to get on and off all there wetsuits are good
EXVELLENT👍
I’m im a 5 9 guy with a medium frame big broad chest back and shoulder I can’t get my back to zip up for nothing the side seal liner is either getting in the way or my back is too wide im about to say fuck it and just buy some wetsuit pants and shorts 200 big ones down the crapper boys
cheersm8
lol takes me 5 min at least to put the same suit,I use a plastic bag on the feet to slide easily... lol
This video makes me squirm 😳😖
It sounds like your climbing into a balloon with it rubbing on your skin 😲😳.
Anyhow I'm after an O'Neil epic 4/3 chest zip and they're out of stock everywhere. After size L....it's my first wetsuit to use for kayking snd snorkelling.