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ZipFree Wetsuit Guide
What does "zipfree wetsuit" mean?
The term "zipfree wetsuits" refers to the fact that the wetsuit has no zip to secure the wetsuit after putting it on. This is a major innovation in the design of wetsuits, and removing the zip has a lot of advantages.
As with any innovation, people question whether it's necessary or if it's a gimmick. This article explains the benefits that our customers and riders have experienced using a zipfree suit.
Historically all wetsuit were secured shut using a zip, which originally ran down the spine of the wearer or, in more recent designs, along the chest.
Due to some revolutionary innovations in material science it is now possible to remove the zip and maintain a very tightly sealed wetsuit.
All of the wetsuits in our SHIELD COLLECTION feature a zipfree closure system.
Shop SHIELD COLLECTIONDoes the zip really make a difference?
The short answer is "yes". Removing the zip means a more flexible and slightly cheaper wetsuit.
To maximise flexibility and reduce restriction to an absolute minimum, removing the zip has some big advantages. The zip itself reduces flexibility, and it needs a lot of stitching to secure it in place.
With our zipfree Shield design there is a single front panel that offers incredible mobility with zero restriction.
Every panel you add to a wetsuit increases the restriction and the chance for leakage. Mass-market brands use multiple panels because you use less Neoprene per wetsuit when you can sew smaller panels together.
Removing the zip also reduces the price a little, so if you're looking for a more flexible wetsuit at a cheaper price then go zipfree!
Getting into a zipfree wetsuit
By now you're probably wondering what's the catch? Maybe you're thinking "it must be hard to get into"?
We'll get to some of the considerations that might make you choose a chest zip shortly, but getting into your zipfree wetsuit is easy and fast.
Due to our unique pattern and choice of high-performance Yamamoto #40 Limestone Neoprene the neck openings in our ZipFree wetsuits have the flexibility to open wide, the durability not to tear, and the fabric memory to return to their original shape.
With this design and exceptional material there is simply no need for a zip, see below how easy it is to put on:
How to seal your zipfree wetsuit
The zipfree wetsuit is easy to get into, but there are a couple of simple tricks that help ensure a secure seal. That's to say, following the steps in the video below will ensure you minimize any water ingress during your surf sessions.
Jake Davis compares the zipfree vs chest zip closure
Explaining why he prefers the Zipfree, Jake focuses on the lack of restriction that he loves when it comes to the zipperless wetsuits from ISURUS. He mentions the benefits of a chest zip closure if you're in bigger surf, but it's hard to beat the flexibility of the zipfree.
Zipfree wetsuits reduce shoulder load
Another big advantage of the zipfree wetsuit is that with less load on your shoulders as you get your arms in, you are less likely to pull a muscle getting into your wetsuit. This is especially important in the case that you've got a pre-existing condition.
Below you can watch a customer putting on a zipfree wetsuit post shoulder surgery, and hear Dante Madrigal's opinion on our zipfree wetsuits.
REAL REVIEWS FROM REAL SURFERS
Sure, professional surfers love our wetsuits, but what about general customers? We'll let them speak for themselves:
