Preferred Drysuit Config

[Goindrinkn]

I apologize if this has been answered I did some searching and did not see it. I seem to remember reading in a few places that a Front Zip drysuit is "more" preferred that a backzip in the DIR community. (I'll stop short of saying that it is "More DIR") but doesn't a telescoping frontzip drysuit have extra material, that could cause some effect (either drag or as a sail when exiting a cave with the flow) as opposed to a back zip? - if the answer is has to do with being somewhat more self sufficient, isn't that kind of a non issue? (i've seen folks that can zip a backzip without help, and if you're diving DIR your buddy's there anyway...?)


Are there other reasons it's preferred? (Why not save the few bucks?)

Thanks!

J

 

[Rainer]

I have both a front zip (DUI TLS-350) and a back zip (Bare XCD2). I basically always dive the Bare. That said, there's no question that the rear zipper does reduce mobility compared to a front zip. It's not enough to impact safety, just means a bit more work when reaching for valves.

Either type of suit is perfectly "DIR".

 

[ivobj]

As far as I know, there is no specifics in DIR configuration about zip positioning in a drysuit. I have a DUI TLS350 and a DUI CF200x, both front zip, but tryed a backzip from a friend as well, like Rainer I saw no difference in terms of drag. Between the TLS and the CF I use way more the TLS as the trilaminate gives me much more freedon and is easier to reach the valves.

 

[TSandM]

What I have read is that the preference is for a suit you can manage by yourself. It IS more convenient to be able to get yourself zipped up, but as you say, we're always part of a team. More important, in my mind, is getting out of the suit by myself, in case I have had an issue during the pre-dive checks that has required me to return to the car or call the dive.

 

[AndyNZ]

Definitely an advantage of mobility! I used to have some major issues with valve drills, when I changed to a front zip DS it was a quantum leap in difference.

 

[Rainer]

Definitely an advantage of mobility! I used to have some major issues with valve drills, when I changed to a front zip DS it was a quantum leap in difference.

If it was a quantum leap in difference, you just didn't have a rear zip that fit properly.

It's a noticeable difference, for sure, but not one that should impact safety in the least (i.e. your "major issues with valve drills").

 

[AndyNZ]

If it was a quantum leap in difference, you just didn't have a rear zip that fit properly.

Quite likely. The arms were quite short. The material was quite stiff, and the stitching under the arms was just wrong. it was just a bad suit.

 

[rjack321]

I've had both styles. Get the front zip, you will appreciate the self-donning and doffing convenience down the road way more than the $200 saved now.

 

[Goindrinkn]

Thanks for the help... it seems the consensus is that there's more mobility in the front zip, and this would certainly be a big factor over the money. Thanks again.

 

[jhoey]

Another difference between the two is supposedly in the longevity of the zipper. The theory being that a back-entry suit's zipper is more prone to damage/leaking from the rubbing of the backplate and torquing of the zipper where the shoulder joints flex.

I've never owned a back-entry suit myself, so I can't comment on the practical difference from first-hand experience. A certain amount of wear and tear is inevitable regardless of which zipper configuration you have, but based on what I've heard from (mostly former) owners of back-entry suits, I would never get a one.