Front or Back Zipper on Wetsuit?

[katman]

Looking at wetsuits and trying to decide between a front or back zipper on the Hyperflex AMP K 5/3 wondering which would work best for Kiteboarding. Thanks let me know what you guys think.

[adseguy]

I have a 4/3 with a back zipper. Works fine and it's easy to slip on/off

I also have a 6/5/4 with a front zipper. It too works fine, but it is more difficult to slip in and out of. So I give the back zipper a slight lead for that, but it really comes down to the price and quality because it's not that much easier to slip on and off

[4w7s]

I think the back zipper is a better seal and just as easy to put on. I'm an average size person but I know many larger riders who say they were surprised at how easy the top entry suits are. Some brands offer either/or (such as Hyperflex). I also think that a suit with built in hood might be easier to put on with the front zip system that a back zip.

Quality of neoprene, seams, and a good fit are probably more important factors though.

[jdsoohoo]

As far as which would work best for kiting, I am thinking you might be referring to how an impact vest or waist harness interacts with the suit. I have a 4/3 back zip and wear it with a tight impact vest and harness and in no way feel uncomfortable or feel the presence of the zipper in any shape or form. However, I own the hyperflex amp-k series which is supposedly kite specific with more padding/ruggedness around the waist so it might be a characteristic of this type of suit.

I have never owned a front zip so I cannot say anything about that (but I did choose the back zip suit since most people say it is easier to get on). Supposedly wearing a rash guard makes it easier to get on and off but I find the legs to get off the hardest, not the chest portion, so I have never tried this.

[gbleck]

Hyperflex has this odd entry system that is sort of a front zip but not. The zipper is a short horizontal section just below the neck. Flexible on the neck and it's easy on. Little hard to zip at first. Nice for your harness and you can prone paddle also.

[katman]

Thanks for the info guys probably going to go with the back zip. From what im reading sounds like the back zip is just fine. Thanks guys!