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FZ or BZ wetsuit ?
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skyking1231



Joined: 10 Jul 2000
Posts: 280

PostPosted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:35 am    Post subject: FZ or BZ wetsuit ? Reply with quote

i know this is personal pref.... but for those that have tried it....do you like front zip wetsuit better rthan back zip (ex: NP combat wetsuit 4/3)..or backzip. I am looking at the front zip....

also does neoprene shrink over time ? my sleeves and legs have become too short(suit used to fit me fine).... i am not growing...
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rswabsin



Joined: 14 May 2000
Posts: 444
Location: New Jersey

PostPosted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 10:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I found the neoprene wetsuit material does dry out and loose elasticity over time (several years) so that's the shrinking/tightness you've noticed. I use my wetsuits for surfing as well so I like the front zip because it is more water tight. But the FZ is a pain in the ass to wrestle out of when you're done. However, I just bought my son an Xcel Axis 3 mil suit with back zip and it has a secondary panel of neoprene behind the BZ to provide a nice water tight seal. Much easier to get in/out of. So maybe the BZ's are getting better.

Rob
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skyking1231



Joined: 10 Jul 2000
Posts: 280

PostPosted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 10:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok...here i though it would be easier to get on and off. My 5/3 bz suit...is a pain to zip up....zipper gets snagged on the extra flap by the zipper....but could also be b/s suit has shrunk....
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joethewindsufa



Joined: 10 Oct 2010
Posts: 1190
Location: Montréal

PostPosted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 12:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

well, i purchased a used 2 piece BARE wetsuit
WHAT - a used wetsuit #$%^&*(

yes, very inexpensive and keep my skivvies on when i use it
LOVE the flexibility and front zipper
sometimes wear the farmer johns, jacket or both !! depending on the day
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rswabsin



Joined: 14 May 2000
Posts: 444
Location: New Jersey

PostPosted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 1:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

With the FZ wetsuits, you typically enter the suit through a very stretchy but small neck opening. Yes access to the front zip is easier than a rear zip. But when you want to get out of the suit, when its wet, you have to kind of wiggle one shoulder out at a time and pull the same arm out all through this small opening. It can be exhausting in itself.
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cgoudie1



Joined: 10 Apr 2006
Posts: 2597
Location: Killer Sturgeon Cove

PostPosted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 4:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm a back zip guy myself.

-Craig
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skyking1231



Joined: 10 Jul 2000
Posts: 280

PostPosted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 5:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ok....i am leaning towards the BZ suit...(stick with what i know)...now if they could make a zipper like my ocean rodeo drysuit..... horseshoe shaped zipper around the neck.....
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grantmac017



Joined: 04 Aug 2016
Posts: 946

PostPosted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 5:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I won't get another FZ.
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capetonian



Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 1196
Location: Florida

PostPosted: Tue Feb 06, 2018 7:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Had a FZ many years ago and hated it. Been happy with my NP BZ for last few years. Needed a new 3/2 recently and ended up getting a FZ after spending an afternoon trying on wetsuits. So far very happy with the performance in the water, and getting it off isn’t as bad as I remember.
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ss59



Joined: 10 Nov 2016
Posts: 104

PostPosted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 5:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a FZ Rip Curl Flash Bomb winter (5/3) suit - no problem getting in or out of it at all, but it is very very stretchy - and BZ summer suits (3/2) when I'm less bothered about the seal
thinking about a zipperless summer suit next
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