Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 3/ 2 Back Zip Wetsuit - Men’s 3/ 2mm Fullsuit For 57-64 °F Surf Sessions
Published on 09/22/2026 at 00:48 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael MĂĽller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
The Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 3/2 Back Zip Wetsuit, 3/2mm men’s fullsuit, is built for surfers who want dependable warmth and coverage when the water hovers around the low 60s Fahrenheit. Crafted as a long-sleeve, full-leg suit with a classic back-zip entry, it balances insulation, flexibility and durability for everyday surf sessions.
Neoprene Thickness And Thermal Range
At the core of the Dawn Patrol 3/2 Back Zip is its nominal 3/2mm thickness, meaning 3 mm neoprene is used over the torso and key panels and 2 mm over flex zones like arms and lower legs for easier paddling and movement. Rip Curl’s own specification lists it as a 3/2mm fullsuit with long sleeves and full-length legs, aligning with their men’s wetsuit guide recommendations for 3/2mm suits in moderate water temperatures.
A US retailer description for the men’s Dawn Patrol 3/2mm Back Zip notes the suit is designed for water temperatures roughly between 57.2 and 64.4 °F, placing it in the warm- to cool-water band that many surfers encounter in spring, early summer and fall. That temperature window is narrower but broadly consistent with Rip Curl’s general 3/2mm guidance, making the suit a fit for coastal conditions where a thinner 2mm spring suit would be too light.
Materials, Construction And Entry System
The Dawn Patrol 3/2 Back Zip uses a blend of neoprene and textiles aimed at balancing stretch with durability. Rip Curl lists the composition as 80% synthetic rubber and 20% polyamide, pairing their performance neoprene with a nylon-based jersey exterior.
The suit incorporates E5 flash lining neoprene in key panels, E5 neoprene, and E4 thermo lining according to multiple product descriptions, giving it a combination of stretchy, fast-drying linings and warmth-oriented inner fabrics. Internal construction includes sealed seams and E5 tape over critical seams to reduce water entry. The exterior uses a recycled jersey and water-based lamination over Yulex natural rubber, reflecting Rip Curl’s move toward more sustainable materials.
The entry system relies on a straightforward back-zip design. Rip Curl specifies the entry type as Back-Zip, which is familiar to many surfers and can be easier to get into compared with more technical chest-zip or zip-free systems. The suit also integrates an internal key pocket, a typical convenience feature in this segment.
Fit, Sizing And Men’s Cut
The Dawn Patrol 3/2 Back Zip is targeted at men and offered across a typical fullsuit size run. Rip Curl’s US product page notes that a model named Korbin, listed at 180 cm (5'11) and wearing size M, provides a visual benchmark for average-height surfers choosing a medium.
A US retailer sizing table for Dawn Patrol suits shows men’s sizes from XS through XXL with height ranges roughly from about 5'6 to 6'4, chest ranges from about 34 to 46 inches, and waist ranges from around 28 to 38 inches, aligning the Dawn Patrol 3/2 Back Zip with standard surf wetsuit sizing. This breadth of sizes means the suit can accommodate a wide range of body types in the men’s segment.
Price Positioning And Market Context
In the US, the men’s 3/2mm Dawn Patrol Back Zip fullsuit is listed by a dedicated wetsuit retailer at a regular price of $249.95 for comparable Dawn Patrol 3/2mm fullsuits, placing the back-zip model in the mid-range price band for performance-oriented surf wetsuits. Another surf retailer assortment page shows multiple men’s Dawn Patrol 3/2mm chest-zip fullsuits also at $259.95, suggesting that the chest-zip variant typically sits slightly above the back-zip in price.
Compared with premium models like Rip Curl’s Flashbomb line, which US listings often price near or above $399.95 for similar thicknesses, the Dawn Patrol 3/2 Back Zip occupies a more accessible segment while still offering E5 and E4 linings, taped seams and an eco-conscious Yulex rubber base. For surfers weighing cost against features, that mid-tier position makes the Dawn Patrol an option for regular use without moving into flagship pricing.
Comparison With Dawn Patrol 3/2 Chest Zip
The closest comparison within Rip Curl’s range is the Dawn Patrol 3/2 Chest Zip Wetsuit. That model uses similar neoprene thickness and linings but swaps the back-zip entry for a chest-zip design that typically improves seal integrity at the zipper area and reduces flushing during duck dives. The chest-zip fullsuit is listed by multiple US surf shops at around $259.95, about $10 more than the common $249.95 level cited for Dawn Patrol fullsuits, indicating a small premium for the chest-zip entry.
Both suits share core features such as 3/2mm thickness, performance neoprene and taped seams, but the back-zip model caters to surfers who prioritize easier on/off and a familiar feel, while the chest-zip variant leans toward slightly better water sealing and performance in heavier surf. The modest price difference underscores that choice as primarily about entry preference and performance needs rather than a wholesale feature gap.
Manufacturer, Ownership And US Presence
Rip Curl is a surf brand founded in 1969 in Torquay, Victoria, Australia, and today forms part of KMD Brands, a global outdoor and lifestyle company that also owns Kathmandu and Oboz. KMD Brands acquired Rip Curl in 2019, adding the wetsuit and surfwear specialist to its portfolio.
