How to Put On and Take Off a Chest Zip Wetsuit

Quick answer

Put on a chest zip wetsuit by stepping into the legs, pulling the suit up to your waist, then working one arm in at a time before zipping the chest panel closed. Take it off by peeling the chest zip open, pushing the suit off your shoulders, and rolling it down from the inside out. The key is to pull from the inside panels, not the seams, and to keep your fingernails away from the neoprene.

Chest zip wetsuits feel great in the water, but the entry system can be frustrating if you treat it like a back zip. The zipper sits across your upper chest, so the suit has to pass over your shoulders and head before it closes. That means a specific order of operations, and a little patience, gets you in and out without fighting the rubber.

This guide walks through the full process for how to put on a chest zip wetsuit and how to take off a wetsuit cleanly, with checkpoints for fit and the mistakes that cause premature wear. If you are still deciding between entry systems, the chest zip vs back zip wetsuit tradeoff comes down to flexibility and flush resistance versus easy on-and-off.

What makes chest zip entry different

A chest zip wetsuit uses a horizontal zipper across the upper chest, often with a short diagonal or curved panel. Unlike a back zip, there is no long zipper running down your spine, so the suit relies on stretch panels and a snug over-the-shoulder fit to seal. That design usually means fewer seams across the back and more freedom through the shoulders, which is why many surfers prefer it for paddling.

The tradeoff is that you have to pull the suit over your head and shoulders before you can close the zipper. The opening is smaller, so the neoprene has to stretch more during entry. If you rush it, you can overstretch seams or tear the smoothskin collar. Treat the suit like a fitted garment, not a sack, and it will last longer.

• Chest zip suits typically have a smaller entry opening than back zip suits.
• The zipper is a closure, not a structural opening you climb through.
• Stretch panels around the shoulders do most of the work during entry.

Before you start: fit and prep checks

A chest zip only works if the suit fits. It should feel snug all over, like a second skin, with no loose folds in the torso or under the arms. If the suit is too big, water pools inside and the entry process gets sloppy. If it is too small, you will fight every seam and risk blowing out the shoulders. Check the fit at the waist, chest, and crotch before you commit to a session.

Prep matters too. Trim your fingernails and remove rings or watches. If you have a plastic bag handy, you can put it over your foot to slide through the ankle opening more easily, then remove it once your foot is through. A little cool water inside the suit before you pull it on can help it slide, but do not use lotion or oil, which can degrade neoprene over time.

• Checkpoint: the suit should feel tight but not restrict breathing.
• Trim nails and remove jewelry before handling neoprene.
• A plastic bag over the foot helps with tight ankle openings.

Step-by-step: putting on a chest zip wetsuit

Start by opening the chest zip fully and folding the collar down so it is out of the way. Step into the suit one leg at a time, working the neoprene up to your waist. Pull from the inside of the legs, not the seams, and make sure the suit is seated at the crotch before you go further. If the crotch is too low, the shoulders will never sit right.

Next, work one arm in at a time. Push your hand through the wrist opening, then use your other hand to pull the suit up over your shoulder from the inside. Repeat on the other side. Once both arms are in, reach back and pull the collar over your head, then bring the chest panel together and zip it closed. Zip slowly and make sure the zipper is fully seated at the top before you paddle out.

• Common mistake: pulling on the collar or seams instead of the inner panels.
• Checkpoint: the suit should feel even across the chest with no twisting.
• If the zipper binds, stop and realign the panel rather than forcing it.

Step-by-step: taking off a chest zip wetsuit

Unzip the chest zip completely and peel the collar away from your neck. Push the suit off your shoulders one at a time, then slide your arms out. Once your upper body is free, roll the suit down from the inside, turning it inside out as you go. Work it past your hips and then down each leg, pulling from the inside of the leg rather than the ankle cuff.

If the suit is stubborn, sit down and use your hands to roll the neoprene rather than yanking. For how to take off a wetsuit without straining it, the rule is the same as putting it on: pull from the inside, keep your nails away from the rubber, and let the suit turn inside out. Rinse it with fresh water and hang it to dry inside out, out of direct sun.

• Common mistake: stepping on the ankle cuff and pulling upward.
• Checkpoint: the suit should turn inside out as it comes off.
• Rinse and dry inside out to protect the zipper and seams.

Chest zip vs back zip: which entry system suits you

Back zip wetsuits are easier to get in and out of because the zipper runs down the spine and opens the whole upper body. That makes them a good choice for cold-water sessions with gloves, or for anyone who values a quick change. The tradeoff is a seam across the back and often a bit less shoulder flexibility.

Chest zip wetsuits generally offer more stretch through the shoulders and a better seal against flushing, which is why they are common in performance surf suits. The entry process takes practice, but once you have a routine, it is not much slower. If you are between sizes or new to wetsuits, a back zip may be the friendlier first suit. If you prioritize paddling freedom, chest zip is worth the learning curve.

• Choose back zip for easy entry and cold-water convenience.
• Choose chest zip for shoulder mobility and a snugger seal.
• Fit matters more than entry style: a loose suit will flush either way.

Wetsuit fitting tips that make entry easier

The single biggest factor in how hard a chest zip is to put on is fit. A suit that is too large will bunch and twist, while one that is too small will fight you at every step. Measure your chest, waist, and height, and compare against the brand size chart rather than guessing. If you are between sizes, size up for easier entry, but expect slightly more water movement.

Pay attention to the collar, wrists, and ankles. These are the tightest points and the most likely to tear if you pull them like handles. A proper fit should feel snug at the wrists and ankles without cutting off circulation. If you need help, ask someone to pull the chest panel together while you zip, especially when the suit is new and stiff.

• Checkpoint: no gaping at the lower back when you crouch.
• New suits loosen slightly after a few sessions in the water.
• Ask a friend to help with the first few zips on a stiff new suit.

Chest zip wetsuit entry and exit checklist

1. Open the chest zip fully and fold the collar down: Give yourself the largest possible opening before you step in. A partially open zip catches on the panel and makes the suit harder to pull over your shoulders. Checkpoint: the zipper should be all the way down, not halfway.
2. Step in and seat the crotch before pulling up: Work one leg in at a time, pulling from the inside of the leg rather than the seams. Bring the suit up to your waist and adjust the crotch so it sits close to your body. Common mistake: pulling the suit up by the shoulders before the crotch is seated.
3. Work one arm in at a time, then the other: Push your hand through the wrist opening and use your free hand to pull the suit over your shoulder from the inside. Repeat on the other side before reaching for the collar. Checkpoint: both shoulders should feel even, with no twisting across the chest.
4. Pull the collar over your head and close the chest zip: Reach back, bring the collar over your head, then align the chest panel and zip slowly. Make sure the zipper is fully seated at the top before you paddle out. Common mistake: forcing a binding zipper instead of realigning the panel.
5. To take it off, unzip and push the suit off your shoulders: Unzip completely, peel the collar away from your neck, and push the suit off one shoulder at a time. Slide your arms out before you work on the lower body. Checkpoint: keep your nails away from the neoprene throughout.
6. Roll the suit down from the inside and turn it inside out: Roll the neoprene down past your hips and then down each leg, pulling from the inside of the leg rather than the ankle cuff. Let the suit turn inside out as it comes off. Common mistake: standing on the ankle cuff and pulling upward.
7. Rinse with fresh water and dry inside out: Rinse the suit thoroughly, then hang it inside out out of direct sun. This protects the zipper, seams, and neoprene from salt, sand, and UV damage. Next step: store it loosely folded, not on a wire hanger, to avoid creasing.

Volcom gear that pairs with wetsuit sessions

• Waisted Pack: Full-size waist pack with 2 separate compartments to stay organized and keep important things close, hands-free for everyday errands and outdoor adventuring. Keeps keys, wax, and a phone secure at the beach while you change in and out of your suit.
• Altitude Travel Duffel: 37.5L duffel with a coated base, split compartments, three internal zips plus mesh, front pocket with slips and key clip, padded removable shoulder strap, and webbing handles with padded wrap. A wet wetsuit needs a home after a session; the coated base and separate compartments help keep damp gear away from dry clothes.
• Women's Boyfriends Thong: Recliner Comfort Foam Footbed, water-friendly synthetic nubuck upper, soft padded Lycra lining, and molded arch support. Easy on-and-off footwear for the parking lot or beach ramp when your hands are full of wetsuit and board.

Chest zip wetsuits reward a little technique. Open the zip fully, seat the crotch, work one arm at a time, and pull from the inside panels every time you put it on or take it off. Do that, and the suit stays flexible, the seams stay intact, and the entry system stops being a hassle.