I tried on a Chest Zip wet suit in the store and couldn't get out of it so I didn't buy it.
However, one of my friends was wearing one and I asked him how he managed to get out of it. He said it was his first time so he hadn't tried yet. I asked him if he tried it on and told about my attempt. Now, this guy is even a little older and perhaps a bit fatter than me so like most men in his situation he has some well developed moobs, covered in grey hair. He said that, like me, he got stuck in the changing room but did not have anyone to help him so after getting all hot and sweaty and stuck he had to come out of the change room into the shop with his arms stuck to his side and just his moobs hanging over the front of the wetsuit. The shop was filled with young girls and he had to ask for help. He said it was amongst the most humiliating times of his life. After I laughed out loud with his story I went out for a quick kite and he went to pack up. When I finished I was surprised to see him still there at his car. I said - you took a while to pack up and -you guessed it - he had got stuck again and had needed help from a passer by!!
It seems you can only buy chest entry 4:3 steamer now. Post your experiences.
Said owner of moobs has practiced a bit and has succeeded in getting himself both in and out of his rubber suit. No lube and no "helping hand" was required.
The most important thing with modern, stretch suits is not to grab a handful of fabric and pull. It won't come off and the fabric tears. You have to work the bulk of the fabric over the offending body part, stealthily slipping out of the suit like a ninja in the shadows.
Simple. I have a 4-3 NPX assassin chest zip. Getting out is a pita and you look like a sealion doing the hula.
Solution: I put a cover on my carseat, open all the windows and cruise home. 
I use 4 / 3 with bat wing, fireskin and all the marketing gimmicks but thankfully was available with a vertical rear zip.
Same problem for me. Very difficult to get out of the front / cross chest zip style.
Maybe you guys have bought the wrong size suits.
I have a Rip Curl Flash Bomb. It is effortless to get in and out of.
The interior fleece lining touch dries in 20 minutes as they say in the ads. It's a little bit of a trick. The fleece wicks the water away from the surface so it feels dry. The moisture is still there under the fleece and you can feel it if you squeeze it. It is still dry enough to have multiple sessions in a day in winter and it feels like putting on a dry suit.
Hate to say it guys, but maybe this is a sign that you need to loose some weight
.
p.s. I've never even considered that this would be an issue, I find getting out of a front zip even easier than a rear because I don't need to reach that stupid zip cord. It's also far easier to do a front zip up properly alone.
There is technique to it for sure. First time I tried it on in the shop yeh had that awful sensation of being trapped in it and unable to get it off. Ha ha
But they do stretch and become more supple. Eventually even when old an used like mine it still fits like a glove but much easier to get in and out of.
Yep new can be an adventure but after a while no probs.
Just an idea - a good one imo.
Try going a full rating down in the thickness & wear a short sleeved poly fleece thermal rashie underneath.
Tried it myself - went from my regular 3/2 to 2/2 last winter & with my Poly Fleece rashy underneath was way warmer than Ive ever been. Going to a 1.5/1.5 super stretch this year - reckon it will be more than cosy here in Perth
NB where water temp rarely gets below 20 degs - 18degs at its worst.
The poly fleece is a great item for year round. It is a stay-dry, wind chill proof fabric which is super comfy & gives plenty of insulation to cover wind chill which is actually worse when wearing normal lycra that really only protects from UV.
Long sleeves great for summer but not a good option for under the wetty.
Poly Fleece Hoodys in now as well - great for those who hate neoprene. I havent tried it yet but expecting it will cover the head-chill & aching ears really well. Just $10 
crazy price.
Maybe you guys have bought the wrong size suits.
I have a Rip Curl Flash Bomb. It is effortless to get in and out of.
The interior fleece lining touch dries in 20 minutes as they say in the ads. It's a little bit of a trick. The fleece wicks the water away from the surface so it feels dry. The moisture is still there under the fleece and you can feel it if you squeeze it. It is still dry enough to have multiple sessions in a day in winter and it feels like putting on a dry suit.
Yep, happened to me in my shop. Thought I'd try one one after hrs and everyone had done home, 2 hrs later finally got out of it, but not before a lot of swearing and sweating! Most annoying!
Discovered that Peak (back then) still do back zip entry super stretch sealed suits so ordered one of them and still have it.
Peak no longer do a back zip suit, but RipCurl do the model is the Flashbomb www.ripcurl.com.au/mens/wetsuits/steamers.html
Plus one on the polo fleece. Wear it during summer as well without the wetty. On of the most useful purchase I ever made.
I have had 5 x front zip Rip Curl E bomb wetsuits in the last 3 years.
At first I hated them , preferred the back zip , but now I wouldn't go back.
Also if you are trying them on in a shop , the rubber will stick to you because you sweat and make it hard to get off.
Wetsuits now days have a better seal so water does not get in and will be clingier, also the rubber companies use has changed so will be thinner, warmer and more flexible.
Select to expand quotepuppetonastring said...
Just an idea - a good one imo.
Try going a full rating down in the thickness & wear a short sleeved poly fleece thermal rashie underneath.
Tried it myself - went from my regular 3/2 to 2/2 last winter & with my Poly Fleece rashy underneath was way warmer than Ive ever been. Going to a 1.5/1.5 super stretch this year - reckon it will be more than cosy here in Perth
NB where water temp rarely gets below 20 degs - 18degs at its worst.
The poly fleece is a great item for year round. It is a stay-dry, wind chill proof fabric which is super comfy & gives plenty of insulation to cover wind chill which is actually worse when wearing normal lycra that really only protects from UV.
Long sleeves great for summer but not a good option for under the wetty.
Poly Fleece Hoodys in now as well - great for those who hate neoprene. I havent tried it yet but expecting it will cover the head-chill & aching ears really well. Just $10 crazy price.
Puppet, your dead set on this poly fleece arent you.
im going to have to give it a shot, where can i buy?
first ride in my new 5/4 wetty yesterday, the most awkward part was starting the zipper car!
getting out wasn't too bad, start with one arm and wriggle out..
