I’m a 6’3” 175 pound
"I’m a 6’3” 175 pound thin and muscular (but mostly thin) 55 year old bodyboarder and I went with the back zip instead. MT fits me very well. Now for the long version… The chest zip generally seems like a well designed good suit. And if you’re a fan of chest zips, you might give it a higher rating. Here’s why I didn’t: As a bodyboarder, I spend most of my time in the water with my chest more closed than open. And, for that, this suit isn’t as comfortable and doesn’t fit as well as the back zip, which is great (I had both and returned the chest zip). Compared to the normal Hyperfreak chest zip (which I also have and is extremely comfortable), the fire’s chest zip zipper is longer and I can feel the end point if I close my chest or cross my arms. Also the fire will come up off my chest more because of the stiffness of the wider zipper when I do motions like that. At the same time, it also generally feels tighter across my chest than the back zip - both when I’m standing there and when I open my chest. So, as a general statement, I feel the chest zip is less flexible across the chest for both open and closed shoulder motions. Meanwhile, for me, the back zip just feels and works better. I don’t know if the chest zip has less flushing than the back zip because I didn’t wear it into the water. The back zip (which I have worn into the water) hasn’t really flushed anyway, I don’t notice the zipper down my spine, and it feels and responds to movement better across my chest. Also, the back zip felt to me like it had *less arm restriction (paddling motion) than the chest zip. Plus, it’s significantly easier to get in and out of. Specific to paddle motion - I felt more restricted by the chest zip’s origami of fabric that extends layers of neoprene over my shoulder, and the cinching flap that literally sits on my shoulder, versus the back zip’s simple construction along with O’Neill’s excellent materials under the arms. For my dollar, their advances in design and construction make the back zip the functionally superior choice. Thanks to O’Neill for their innovation and the opportunity to get the suit that’s best for me. And kudos for their size offerings - I haven’t yet found another company where I actually fit inside every parameter of one of their size options."