Mystic Brand Shortarm 3/2mm BackZip Flatlock 2026

The Mystic Brand Shortarm 3/2mm BackZip Flatlock is Mystic's entry-level summer suit in a short-sleeve, long-leg cut — the most practical shape for warm-water sessions where you want arm freedom but still need your legs covered. It sits at the base of the wetsuit range: honest construction, sensible price, and built around the features that actually matter for a summer suit.

The neoprene is MX2 foam — Mystic's entry-level compound — with a Wind Mesh chest panel that blocks wind chill from the front. Seams are flatlock stitched, which lays flat and smooth against the skin but is stitched all the way through, so it allows more water in than a GBS-seamed suit. For UK summer water temperatures of 15–18°C that's a reasonable trade-off for the price. The back-zip entry uses an Overhead Backup Shield — a neoprene flap you pull over your head to seal the collar before zipping up — and Aquaflush perforations at the ankles help drain any collected water when you step out of the sea.

Who It's For

• Disciplines: Kitesurfing, wingfoiling, SUP, surfing, wakeboarding
• Level: All levels — a practical first summer suit or a dedicated warm-water travel suit
• Best for: UK summer sessions (June–September), Mediterranean and Atlantic travel, any warm-water destination where you want arm freedom
• Water temp: Comfortable from 16°C upwards; workable from 14°C with active riding
• Not ideal for: UK spring, autumn or anything below 14°C — for colder conditions look at a fullsuit with GBS seams

Key Features

• MX2 Neoprene — Mystic's entry-level foam; decent stretch and rebound for the price, reliable across a full UK summer season
• Wind Mesh Chest Panel — higher-density closed-cell neoprene at the front; noticeably reduces wind chill when you're riding upwind or sitting in the water between sets
• Flatlock Seams — sewn flat against the skin with no raised edges or chafing; trade-off is the stitch holes allow more water ingress than GBS construction. Correct choice for warm-water use
• Back Zip Entry — simple, reliable full-back zipper; operated solo with a leash cord
• Overhead Backup Shield — neoprene neck flap pulled over the head before closing the zip; seals the collar and greatly reduces flush on wipeouts
• Aquaflush — perforated neoprene patches at the lower leg; water drains out under gravity when you step out of the water rather than pooling in the ankles
• Short Arm / Long Leg Cut — sleeves finish at the upper arm; legs are full-length to the ankle. Exposes your arms for maximum freedom whilst keeping your legs protected and warm
• 3/2mm Construction — 3mm body panels, 2mm on the arms and legs; light and flexible for warm-water riding

Real-World Feel

The short-sleeve cut is the defining choice here: your arms are completely free, which suits disciplines like kitesurfing and wingfoiling where arm movement and bar or wing control demands a lot from your shoulders. On a flat-water summer day at West Kirby or on a kite trip to Tarifa, the Shortarm is cooler and less restrictive than any fullsuit and the right choice if warmth isn't the priority. The Wind Mesh chest earns its keep on breezy days — you notice the difference when the wind is cutting through. The flatlock seams are honest: when you take a proper wipeout in this suit, water will come through the stitch lines more freely than it would in a Star or Majestic. In 18°C Mediterranean water, that doesn't matter at all. On a choppier autumn day in the Irish Sea, you'll want something warmer. Use it for the right conditions and it will serve you reliably for several seasons.

Setup / Fit

Pull the Overhead Backup Shield over the back of your head before you zip up — the leash cord on the back zip makes solo entry straightforward. The Shield creates a secondary seal at the collar and significantly reduces water flushing down the zip during wipeouts. Mystic wetsuits run true to size — use the size chart below rather than guessing. The suit should sit snug with no gaps at the wrists, neck or across the lower back. A loose wetsuit flushes more water and provides less warmth than a correctly fitting one. If you are between sizes, size up for easier entry or stay at your size for a tighter thermal seal.

Materials

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

Size Chart

Measure chest at its widest point with arms relaxed at your sides. If you're between sizes, size up for easier entry; size down if you prefer a tighter thermal seal. The suit should feel snug but you should be able to take a full breath without the chest panel restricting you.

Pairs Well With

• Wetsuit accessories — rash vests, changing robes, and wetsuit bags to protect your suit and make car park changes easier
• Wetsuit boots and gloves — even on warm summer days, early morning sessions can be cooler than expected; a pair of 3mm boots keeps your feet comfortable on the beach and in the water

Why We Stock It

We're a rider-owned shop on the Wirral, and the honest answer is that not everyone needs to spend £200 on a summer suit. The Mystic Brand Shortarm fills a real gap — it's the suit you buy for a kite camp in Greece, a wing trip to the Canaries, or your first few UK summer sessions when you're still working out how often you'll ride. The short-sleeve cut in particular suits riders who find a fullsuit too warm and restrictive in July and August. The MX2 neoprene and flatlock seams are the straightforward trade-offs for the price — we'll always be clear about what that means — but for the conditions this suit is designed for, it performs exactly as it should and it will last several seasons with proper care. We ride Mystic ourselves, and we stock the full range so we can give you an honest steer on which suit matches your budget and your season.

FAQs

What does "shortarm" mean on a wetsuit?

Shortarm means the sleeves of the wetsuit are cut short — typically finishing at the upper arm or elbow, leaving your forearms and hands exposed. This maximises arm mobility and keeps you cooler in warm water. The legs on this suit are full-length, so it's sometimes called a "short-sleeve fullsuit" — arm freedom with full leg coverage. Not to be confused with a shorty (short arms AND short legs) or a longarm shorty (full arms, short legs).

What is the difference between flatlock and GBS seams?

Flatlock seams are stitched all the way through both panels of neoprene. The thread physically pierces the material, which means water can seep in along the stitch line. The benefit is that the seam lies perfectly flat against the skin — no raised edges, no chafing. GBS (Glued and Blind Stitched) seams are first glued together and then blind-stitched from the inside, so the needle never breaks the outer surface — the seam is almost fully watertight. Flatlock is the right choice for warmer water (15°C+); GBS is better for cold UK conditions where sealing out water is critical. The Mystic Brand uses flatlock; the Star and Majestic use GBS — and this is the main reason the Brand costs less.

Is a shortarm wetsuit suitable for UK kitesurfing or wingfoiling in summer?

Yes, with some caveats. UK summer water on the Irish Sea and North Wales coast runs 15–18°C from June to September. A 3/2mm shortarm is perfectly workable in those temperatures for active disciplines — you generate enough heat kitesurfing or wingfoiling to stay comfortable. The trade-off is your forearms and hands are exposed to wind chill and spray. Some riders find they want gloves on breezy days even in July. If you tend to feel the cold, a longarm cut will serve you better in UK conditions; if you run warm or are heading somewhere genuinely hot, the shortarm is a great choice.

What is the Overhead Backup Shield?

The Overhead Backup Shield is a neoprene flap attached at the back of the collar. Before you close the back zip, you pull this flap up and over the back of your head — it sits against the back of your neck and creates a secondary seal between your skin and the zip. It significantly reduces the amount of cold water that flushes down the zip during wipeouts and duck-dives, and is one of the features that makes Mystic's back-zip suits better sealed than many competitors' equivalent designs.

How should I look after this wetsuit?

Rinse it thoroughly in fresh water after every session — salt builds up along the flatlock stitch holes over time and accelerates degradation of the thread and the neoprene around it. Hang the suit by the waist on a wide hanger; never by the shoulders, which stretches and distorts the shoulder panels. Store away from direct sunlight and heat. Avoid machine washing and tumble drying. A flatlock suit rinsed and stored correctly will last multiple seasons of regular use.

Does this suit have kneepads?

No — kneepads are not listed as a feature on the Brand Shortarm BackZip. Kneepads appear on the FrontZip Fullsuit variant in the Brand range. For a back-zip shortarm suit, kneepads aren't a significant priority since the flat-water and warm-water use cases are less likely to involve repeated kneeling on a board. If kneepads are important to you — for windsurfing or SUP — check the FrontZip Fullsuit or consider the Mystic Star range.