Mystic Brand Longarm Shorty 3/2mm BackZip Flatlock 2026

The Mystic Brand Longarm Shorty 3/2mm BackZip Flatlock fills the most practical gap in Mystic's entry-level Brand range — full-length sleeves to the wrist combined with short legs that hit mid-thigh. It's the cut that makes most sense for active watersports in a British summer: your arms stay protected from wind chill, spray and sun exposure, while your legs stay free for movement. If you're split between a fullsuit and a shortarm suit, the Longarm Shorty is often the right answer.

The construction is the same honest spec as the rest of the Brand range: MX2 neoprene, flatlock seams, Wind Mesh chest panel, back zip with Overhead Backup Shield, and Aquaflush drainage at the lower leg. Flatlock seams are the trade-off that keeps this wetsuit accessible in price — they're stitched all the way through the neoprene, which allows more water in than GBS construction but lays completely flat and comfortable against the skin. In 16–19°C summer water, that's a very workable compromise.

Who It's For

• Disciplines: Kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing, SUP, surfing, wakeboarding
• Level: All levels — particularly a good choice for riders new to watersports who want practical UK summer coverage at a sensible price
• Best for: UK summer sessions (May–September), European kite and wing trips, anyone who finds a fullsuit too warm but wants arm coverage
• Water temp: Comfortable from 15°C upwards; the long arm cut extends the suit's useful range compared to shortarm options
• Not ideal for: Cold UK conditions below 14°C or any serious winter riding — for that, step up to a 4/3mm or 5/3mm GBS fullsuit

Key Features

• MX2 Neoprene — Mystic's entry-level neoprene compound; reliable stretch and rebound for summer use, built to last multiple seasons with proper care
• Wind Mesh Chest Panel — higher-density closed-cell neoprene panel at the chest; reduces wind chill significantly when riding upwind or taking spray in any kind of breeze
• Flatlock Seams — stitched flat and smooth against the skin; no raised seam edges, no chafing across your body or under your arms. The stitch holes allow water through the seams, which is fine for warm-water use but means more flush than GBS seams in cold conditions
• Back Zip Entry — full-length spine zip; simple, reliable, and operated solo using the leash cord
• Overhead Backup Shield — neoprene flap at the collar pulled over the head before zipping; significantly reduces water flushing down the zip during wipeouts and surface swimming
• Aquaflush — perforated neoprene patches at the lower legs; water drains out under gravity when you step out of the water instead of pooling at the ankles
• Long Arm / Short Leg Cut — sleeves are full-length to the wrist; legs are short, finishing at mid-thigh. Arm coverage without the heat and restriction of a fullsuit
• 3/2mm Construction — 3mm body panels, 2mm on the arms and legs

Real-World Feel

For most riders doing active watersports in the UK from May to September, the Longarm Shorty cut is the most versatile option at this price. The long sleeves make a real difference to how comfortable you are on the water: bare forearms on a kite bar or wing handle take the full force of wind and spray, and in any kind of breeze — even on a warm July day at Abersoch or West Kirby — that cools you down faster than you'd expect. With full-length sleeves, you can ride longer and concentrate on what matters. The short legs keep you cooler overall and let you move around the board freely, which is the right trade-off for summer sessions in UK water temperatures. As with the rest of the Brand range, the flatlock seams are honest construction for the price — you'll feel water working in after a solid wipeout, particularly around the spine where the back zip sits. The Overhead Shield manages this well, but it's not the same as a GBS-seamed suit. Use this suit for the UK summer and for warm-water travel, and it earns its place cleanly season after season.

Setup / Fit

The back zip runs the full length of the spine with a leash cord for solo operation. Pull the Overhead Backup Shield up and over the back of your head before you close the zip — this is the step that matters most for keeping water out at the collar. The suit should sit snugly across the chest and shoulders with the short legs finishing at mid-thigh and the sleeves reaching comfortably to your wrists. If the sleeves are pulling away from your wrists when you raise your arms, you may benefit from sizing up. Mystic wetsuits run true to size overall — check your chest measurement against the chart below and go from there.

Materials

• Neoprene: MX2 foam (Mystic entry-level compound)
• Chest panel: Wind Mesh — higher-density closed-cell neoprene with single-sided fabric lamination for wind resistance
• Lining: 90% superstretch nylon blend
• Seams: Flatlock stitching throughout
• Thickness: 3mm body / 2mm arms and legs
• Closure: Back zip with integrated Overhead Backup Shield
• Cut: Long arms (wrist) / short legs (mid-thigh)

Size Chart

Measure chest at the widest point with arms relaxed at your sides. Wetsuits should feel snug but allow a full breath — if the chest panel makes it hard to breathe, size up. If you're between sizes, size up for easier entry or stay at your measured size for the best thermal seal.

Pairs Well With

• Wetsuit accessories — a changing robe or dry robe makes UK beach and car park changes significantly easier; wetsuit bags protect the suit during transport
• Wetsuit boots and gloves — the longarm cut already protects your hands from the worst of the wind chill, but a pair of 3mm gloves is worth adding for early morning sessions; 3mm boots extend the suit's comfortable range down to cooler water temperatures

Why We Stock It

The Longarm Shorty is the cut we most commonly recommend to riders who are asking for a UK summer suit on a budget. It covers the arms — which matter far more than the legs in terms of comfort in a British summer — while keeping the legs free for movement and ventilation. At the Brand price point, it's the most practical all-round summer suit in the range for this coast. We're a rider-owned shop on the Wirral. Most of our sessions are in Irish Sea water that rarely reaches 18°C, and we know from experience that arm coverage makes the difference between a session you cut short after an hour and one you stay on the water for three. The Brand Longarm Shorty is the entry point that gives you that without overspending. We ride Mystic gear ourselves across the full range and we won't sell you something we wouldn't get in ourselves.

FAQs

What does "Longarm Shorty" mean on a wetsuit?

Longarm Shorty describes the cut of the suit: the arms are full-length, reaching from shoulder to wrist; the legs are short, finishing at mid-thigh. This gives you full arm coverage and protection while keeping your legs free and the suit cooler overall. It sits between a true shortarm suit (arms cut at upper arm, legs full-length) and a fullsuit (full arms and full legs) — and for most UK summer conditions, the longarm shorty offers the best combination of arm warmth and lower-body freedom.

How does the Longarm Shorty compare to the Brand Longarm Shortleg?

These two suits use the same neoprene, seam construction, and zip entry. The difference is the leg length. The Longarm Shortleg has full-length legs to the ankle, giving complete body coverage. The Longarm Shorty has short legs that finish at mid-thigh, keeping your lower legs free and the suit running cooler. The Longarm Shortleg is better if you want maximum coverage or ride in conditions where leg protection matters (e.g. colder water, long sessions). The Longarm Shorty is better if your priority is keeping cool and free-legged while still protecting your arms. Both are strong choices for UK summer watersports.

Is a 3/2mm longarm shorty warm enough for UK kitesurfing and wingfoiling?

For the UK summer — June through September — yes, this is a sensible choice for active watersports. Irish Sea and North Wales coast water temperatures run 15–18°C in that period. The long sleeves make a significant difference to comfort compared to a shortarm suit in any breeze. Where you'll notice the flatlock seams most is after a heavy wipeout — water works in through the stitch lines more freely than with a GBS suit. In 17°C water, that flushed water warms up quickly and isn't a major issue. In 13°C water, you'll feel it. This suit is squarely a summer choice.

How is the back zip sealed on this suit?

The zip runs the full length of the spine with a pull leash so you can close it solo without help. The Overhead Backup Shield — a neoprene flap sewn into the collar — is pulled up over the back of your head before you close the zip. This positions the flap between the zipper tape and the back of your neck, creating a secondary seal that significantly reduces cold water flushing in through the zip opening during wipeouts. It's an effective system once you've done it a couple of times.

Can I wear this suit year-round in the UK?

Not comfortably. The 3/2mm flatlock construction is genuinely a summer suit. UK water temperatures below October regularly sit at or below 14°C — and by December, the Irish Sea is down to 8–10°C. At those temperatures, flatlock seams allow in enough cold water to make sessions short and uncomfortable. For autumn and winter riding, you need a 4/3mm or 5/3mm GBS-seamed suit. The Longarm Shorty is best treated as your May–September suit; pair it with a thicker GBS fullsuit for the rest of the year and both suits will perform well within their correct range.

What does Wind Mesh do on a wetsuit chest panel?

Wind Mesh is Mystic's name for a higher-density closed-cell neoprene panel laminated with fabric on one side. Compared to standard neoprene, it has a tighter cellular structure that resists wind penetration more effectively. On the chest of a wetsuit — the panel most directly exposed to headwind and spray when you're riding — it reduces the wind-chill effect you feel through the suit material. It's particularly noticeable on breezy days when you're spending a lot of time riding upwind. It doesn't make the suit significantly warmer in the water; it specifically reduces surface wind chill.