Bare drysuit zippers

[freename]

Hi all... I'm not sure where this belongs, but it isn't exactly a question to the manufacturer so I figured this is the place to start.

I bought an HDC Tech drysuit a little under 2 years ago. When it works, it's fine... but it seems to me that the thing has had an awful lot of issues with the zipper. Yesterday, the zipper decided to just pop off the track. No real reason for it; the zipper itself is in pristine condition, no damage whatsoever. I take great care to treat it right. It just... came off the track.

This marks the second time that the zipper has done exactly this - and will be the third time that I've had to send the zipper out for repair. In less than two years, this seems like a high incidence of failure in something that I would think should have had extra close attention paid to its design. (Admittedly, though, the second time I sent the zipper out for repair was after they returned it to me from the first repair with a broken zipper...)

I seem to recall having a conversation with someone (and I can't recall exactly who) where they seemed to suggest (if I'm recalling the conversation correctly) that the 'new' plastic zippers that Bare uses are well known for having issues. So the questions I have for those who might read this are... what have your experiences been with Bare's zippers? I'm trying to decide whether I've made a poor decision in purchasing this drysuit, and if I should just bite the bullet and a new one that may be more reliable.

... I'm more than a little irked that this means I'll be unable to dive for the... 1-2 months that it'll take to have this fixed.

 

[Fin Finder]

First allow me to say that after ten years and 500+ dives, I've been very happy with my Bare HDC Tech drysuit. We've been through a lot together. It's my first and only drysuit, so I don't really have any point of comparison to other suits, so please view my opinion as somewhat uninformed. I can only give this antidotal account, and I hope it is helpful.

I've never had the zipper go off track, but I've had another kind of zipper problem.

Twice I've had the entire main zipper replaced. The strip of material supporting the teeth keeps separating from the surrounding rubber about four inches from the start, just at the curvature below the shoulder. Repair of the zipper was out of the question. Each time the zipper replacement was done by Bare USA, and the cost was around $400 each time. A wiser diver might have dumped the suit at the first sign of trouble, but I admit to being a little sentimental about my gear.

A friend of mine believes my zipper problems were due to the stress placed on the seam at that point where the zipper curves around the shoulder. Makes sense, but I certainly have no info to support that. Although I've always kept the zipper well lubricated with paraffin wax, I just can't say whether it's my fault, or a problem with the suit's construction or design.

I've always liked being able to get in and out of the suit without help. I've noticed divers wearing other types of drysuits always need someone to "zip them up". I believe the front zip design of the Bare that makes self-donning possible may also be responsible for the damage I've done to my suit. I don't know. Will my next suit be a Bare? I'd consider it, but I'm open to a change.

 

[Stoo]

What kind of zipper is it? Bare used T-zips in a bunch of their suits and as a result, had a bunch of failures. It your zipper is one of those, you're in good company. (SANTI and DUI used them as well).

My wife has a Bare suit and we think the zipper is done after maybe 50 dives. I had a T-zip in my SANTI... it died after about 60 dives, was replaced with a YKK plastic, and I have a feeling it's going too.

If it's the traditional style of metal zipper, I have never heard of such a thing.

 

[Marie13]

I'd suggest you send an email off to Dive Right in Scuba in the US. They do a ton of drysuit repairs and would be able to advise if they've seen this issue with Bare zippers before.

 

[Stoo]

I'd suggest you send an email off to Dive Right in Scuba in the US. They do a ton of drysuit repairs and would be able to advise if they've seen this issue with Bare zippers before.

Just bear in mind that they aren't "Bare zippers"... the zipper is supplied by another company and it might change from time to time. T-zips have well documented problems. Sometimes these are covered by warranty in newer suits (The one in my SANTI was, but I am not sure about DUI and Bare...)

To the OP... don't confuse the zipper with the suit where problems are concerned. I have been having "Hella problems" with my SANTI, but in my experience, the BARE suits seem to be better made than their more expensive cousins. They probably have the best drysuit warranty on the market. BARE has a lifetime warranty on the suit construction... nobody else has that as far as I know.

Dive Right In is a US distributor so can't really help... take it back to your dealer. If you are repeatedly "breaking" the zipper, I would question how you are closing it too... The need to be treated carefully, especially as they curve over your shoulder. The documented issues with T-zips have to do with leaking, rather than "breaking" as far as I know.

 

[Remy B.]

I don't know if it possible, but if it is, replaced by a metal zipper, they are well known to be better, just need to keep them Lubricated.

 

[KathyIGH]

Hi. This is Kathy with DUI. I came across the thread. Great discussion. I appreciate what Stoo says about zippers. On the DUI website we have some information up on plastic and metal waterproof zippers. It's at Waterproof drysuit zippers in case you want to view. It lists pro's and con's of each type. Thank you.

 

[H20doctor]

i have owned my bare drysuit now for 2 years ... it has the plastic T zip , and its a front Zip suit .. I have put 250 dives On this suit here in cold puget sound. The zipper is Perfect , and flawless .. But after every dive , i rinse it very well , lube the Zipper per the instructions , and treat the zipper with utmost care.... My boots leak from pinholes , but the zipper has no issues ..

 

[manni-yunk]

I have

First allow me to say that after ten years and 500+ dives, I've been very happy with my Bare HDC Tech drysuit. .

I dont think that the HDC tech.....has been made for 10 years. I think that if you have a 10 year old Bare drysuit, it is likely the predecessor to the suit in this thread made of cordura.

 

[manni-yunk]

I have a 14 month olf Bare HDC tech. I love it. For the first 6 months it was bone dry. Then a little pinhole leak developed, but I still dove it. At month 5 - and about 60 dives, the zipper started leaking. I put the suit on the shelf and started diving my backup suit. It sat for several months before I got around to sending it into Bare. They replaced the zipper quickly under warranty and they were great to deal with.

I was happy.


I do, however, say that if this zipper fails short of 2 years - Im having a metal zipper put on the suit.