PSA: Stop ignoring your drysuit zipper wax until it fails on you

I was up in Anacortes last week on a harbor job, 45 feet down in 46 degree water, and my zipper started sticking halfway up. Thought I could muscle it, but the thing gave out completely. Took the tender 20 minutes to haul me up and I sat on deck shivering like an idiot while the crew laughed. When was the last time you actually greased your zipper? I'm betting most of you can't remember either.

4 comments

4 Comments

the_wendy1mo ago

Your mileage may vary on this one. I've gone years without greasing mine and never had a problem, but I also don't dive in water that cold very often. That Anacortes story sounds rough, but I've seen guys muscle through sticky zippers plenty of times without total failure. Maybe you just got unlucky with that particular zipper or had some grit in there.

john_fisher1mo ago

How cold does the water have to get before you'd start greasing that zipper regularly?

the_olivia1mo ago

Your mileage may vary on this one" - yeah, maybe but I think you're underestimating how fast things can go sideways in cold water. A sticky zipper isn't just annoying, it's a real problem when your hands are numb and you're trying to get out of the water. I've seen guys pop a zipper trying to muscle it when it's cold and that's a whole different kind of bad day. Greasing is cheap and takes two seconds, so why risk it? You do you, but I'll take five minutes of maintenance over a float in 45 degree water. Better safe than sorry, that's my take.

cooper.drew1mo ago

Laugh it off all you want, @the_wendy, but I bet you'd change your tune if you were the one shivering on a deck in Anacortes. "Getting unlucky" is a nice way to say you're pushing your luck until it runs out. Zippers don't just stick for fun, they're screaming for some wax. I grease mine every three dives now and my zipper actually glides smoother than my truck's window. But hey, keep gambling with that dry suit if you want. Just don't cry to me when your tender has to fish you out.