for those of you that have used one-piece tri wetsuits with both standard zips (open wetsuit by pulling zipper down) and reverse zips (open wetsuit by pulling zipper up), which do you prefer and why? which is easier to put on by yourself?
i’ve used the standard zip a lot, but the not the reverse zip, so it would be interesting to get some input from those that have used both types. thanks.
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Standard zip is easier to put on by yourself. I really don’t see how someone can put a reverse zip on by themself, I’m sure someone can, but I’m just not that flexible/coordinated.
Reverse zip has the benefit that it can’t come unzipped during a race if someone accidentally grabs the zipper pull. That’s the only attractive thing about a reverse zip for me. In the end I prefer a the standard zip because I find getting it off my body a little easier.
Nate,
Good points and I am with you. There are advantages to both, but we feel that on the whole the standard zipper is the better option and that’s what we use for all the Nineteen wetsuits.
You can out the suit on your self
If there is a concern for the zipper coming undone during the swim, either loop the pull cord over the neck flap or stick the end of the pull cord up and under your swim cap or in behind your google strap so that it’s completely out of the way.
Regarding the second point, while it is a possibility and not saying it will not happen, I note that in 20 years of tri racing I have never once had any one pull my pull cord while swimming.
good points.
but any idea what the big pluses are of the reverse-pull zippers on tri wetsuits ? because a number of companies use them, so there’s gotta be some pluses to them, or so one would think.
I Believe that the reverse zip is the best way to do it. I use the blueseventy helix and i can zip it up my self:) yes it takes some practice but it doesnt matter how long it takes to get on its how fast it comes off!!
Also when your in the middle of a pack in a race no one can un zip your suit if the mistakenly grab your leash so that also is a plus… Thats my take on the whole zip issue
ok, sounds good.
but other than nobody in a race being able to unzip your suit when swimming, what are some of the other pluses of a reverse zip?
The QR breakaway zippers can be opened in either direction, but are very hard to put on by yourself.
h
**what are some of the other pluses of a reverse zip? **
Other than the ones mentioned, when I first saw the break-away zippers marketed it was speed of removal that was the big one. Not to knock the design, cause absolutly it does come off faster( perhaps a second or so), but unless your transition spot is right at the waters edge, I don’t see any real advantage from time gained perspective as so many transitions areas these days at most races involve a moderate to significant run from the water to the transition zone with lot’s of time to reach around and pull down the zipper. If the zipper comes un-done 1- 2 seconds faster/slower in a 30+ second run from water’s edge to your bike, does it matter?
… but are very hard to put on by yourself.
True. However:
For me at least, I’ve found that I can start the zipper by an inch or two before I even begin to don the suit yet still get it up over my butt with no problem.
Being a single guy, having a QR suit gives me a great excuse to go up to a pretty girl (especially if she also has a QR suit) and ask if she would mind helping me.
2a. But you have to be careful that said pretty girl doesn’t get carried away and pull the zipper all the way up past the breakaway point. Trust me, if that happens you will find your entire back exposed to the cold air approximately 0.3 seconds before your wave is about to start. I saw a guy who did most of the Big Kahuna swim last year (51° water) with his zipper undone. Brrrrr.
Dan
PS. For kicks, put “QR” and “zipper” in a post and then run the Slowtwitch spell checker.
PPS. And don’t get my started about how hard it is to get the arms and legs off after you exit the water. For example:
Well, if you ask someone to help you who owns a QR suit, they usually know/understand when to stop with the zipper. The best way to utilize the breakaway zipper is to actually yank/pull the zipper with your right hand over the left shoulder and then in one “smooth” move continue to pull that zipper in a nice arc outward and forward and at the same time pull your left arm out, that allows you to let your “free” left arm to assist getting your right arm out of the right sleeve.
2a. But you have to be careful that said pretty girl doesn’t get carried away and pull the zipper all the way up past the breakaway point. Trust me, if that happens you will find your entire back exposed to the cold air approximately 0.3 seconds before your wave is about to start. I saw a guy who did most of the Big Kahuna swim last year (51° water) with his zipper undone. Brrrrr.
PPS. And don’t get my started about how hard it is to get the arms and legs off after you exit the water.