Are self entry dry suit zippers (those located across the chest) more likely to fail than those located across the shoulders on the back? It seems that when the zipper is in the front it is folded backwards (the bad way for a zipper) when one leans forward. I'm curious if anyone has any data or experience with both styles
Zipper location and durability
- Thread starter Kamper
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I have experience with both styles.
No, self-entry dry suit zippers are no more likely to fail than those located across the shoulders.
Plus, having a "self-removal" drysuit prevents one from having to do the pee-dance while waiting for someone else to unzip one's suit!
That said...when buying a drysuit you generally indeed get what you pay for.
Best,
Doc
No, self-entry dry suit zippers are no more likely to fail than those located across the shoulders.
Plus, having a "self-removal" drysuit prevents one from having to do the pee-dance while waiting for someone else to unzip one's suit!
That said...when buying a drysuit you generally indeed get what you pay for.
Best,
Doc
I've got three drysuits, and they have three different zipper setups. One is a Mobby's, which has a horizontal front zipper with a flap of suit over it. One is a Diving Concepts with a diagonal front zip, no telescoping torso. One is a Fusion, with a crescent-shaped front zipper from shoulder to shoulder. All have more than 100 dives on them, and none has had any zipper issue related to location or shape.
I like the rear shoulder entry suits. They have less material and seem to fit better. As far as the zipper holding up, I agree with TSandM, they will last about the same provided you take care of them
Pertaining to drysuit diagonal front zippers used with weight belts, here's a little more info that might allow some conclusions to be drawn....or it might just raise more questions.... 
Background: I've only used DUI diagonal front zip suits (TLS350 and CLx450). Zipper care was consistently good for both. They were used almost exclusively for shore diving and were subjected to the typical stresses of walking fully geared up, including a weight belt.
On the TLS350, I needed to replace the zipper after using it on 230 dives.
On the CLx450, I replaced the zipper after using it on 434 dives, although it first started leaking after around 350 dives.
In both cases, the source of the small leak was in the area that had the greatest visible wear, that is, an inch or so above the zipper dock at the lower right hip area. From talking with others, that's typically the area of greatest wear for diagonal front zippers.
That area coincides with where the zipper crosses the waist, creating the most severe bending point for the zipper, as suggested by the OP. It also coincides with where the weight belt crosses the zipper.
Regarding my weight belt, I usually had 34 to 38 lbs on the belt, so the stress was considerable, especially when walking.
To reduce that stress, with the CLx450 I always used a home-made weight-belt harness, so the weight belt hung from the shoulders and did not squeeze or pull on the zipper much at all. The wear was significantly less as a result, but was still worst in that area where the bending of the zipper is most severe.
My conclusion is that zipper wear will vary depending on the stresses of bending, pulling, etc.
The location of the zipper should matter then, right?
Consider that both of these suits are the older DUI design with the zipper crossing the waist and ending up near the right hip. Beginning around 2002, I believe, DUI zippers no longer went below the waist, but instead stayed higher in the flank area. Plus, instead of the closing dock being at the lower end, they placed it at the shoulder area, but I'm not sure that affects zipper wear.
Has anyone found that DUI's newer design provides better zipper wear? Is that why they made the design change?
Also, regardless of suit cost, aren't most drysuit zippers from the same manufacturer or at least of the same quality and tooth size and design (8TZ)? If so, wouldn't it stand to reason that shoulder zips would wear better than diagonal front zips?
Has anyone found that to be true, that shoulder zips last longer?
I don't want to take over the thread, but how many dives have people gotten out of their diagonal front zips?
I'm so cheap, even 300 dives seems too short.....
Dave C
Background: I've only used DUI diagonal front zip suits (TLS350 and CLx450). Zipper care was consistently good for both. They were used almost exclusively for shore diving and were subjected to the typical stresses of walking fully geared up, including a weight belt.
On the TLS350, I needed to replace the zipper after using it on 230 dives.
On the CLx450, I replaced the zipper after using it on 434 dives, although it first started leaking after around 350 dives.
In both cases, the source of the small leak was in the area that had the greatest visible wear, that is, an inch or so above the zipper dock at the lower right hip area. From talking with others, that's typically the area of greatest wear for diagonal front zippers.
That area coincides with where the zipper crosses the waist, creating the most severe bending point for the zipper, as suggested by the OP. It also coincides with where the weight belt crosses the zipper.
Regarding my weight belt, I usually had 34 to 38 lbs on the belt, so the stress was considerable, especially when walking.
To reduce that stress, with the CLx450 I always used a home-made weight-belt harness, so the weight belt hung from the shoulders and did not squeeze or pull on the zipper much at all. The wear was significantly less as a result, but was still worst in that area where the bending of the zipper is most severe.
My conclusion is that zipper wear will vary depending on the stresses of bending, pulling, etc.
The location of the zipper should matter then, right?
Consider that both of these suits are the older DUI design with the zipper crossing the waist and ending up near the right hip. Beginning around 2002, I believe, DUI zippers no longer went below the waist, but instead stayed higher in the flank area. Plus, instead of the closing dock being at the lower end, they placed it at the shoulder area, but I'm not sure that affects zipper wear.
Has anyone found that DUI's newer design provides better zipper wear? Is that why they made the design change?
Also, regardless of suit cost, aren't most drysuit zippers from the same manufacturer or at least of the same quality and tooth size and design (8TZ)? If so, wouldn't it stand to reason that shoulder zips would wear better than diagonal front zips?
Has anyone found that to be true, that shoulder zips last longer?
I don't want to take over the thread, but how many dives have people gotten out of their diagonal front zips?
I'm so cheap, even 300 dives seems too short.....
Dave C
Last edited:
sunkarm
Contributor
what about those front-entry zipper from OS compare to diagonally front zipper? any comments?
thx in advance
thx in advance
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