Pyrates

Thanks kindly mate

Gotcha! [emoji106] The zipper is two piece and reinforced at the connection point at the ankle I stitched the zipper in that location so that I don't need to actually touch the zipper to connect it - I just manipulate the the shin opening in the same fashion as doing up a jacket zipper then pull the draw tab. I hope that's not as clear as mud

Danimal you should get a kick out of this: I decided on accessibility [emoji6]

Ab plate buttons painted

Tony you've helped to create a monster[emoji48] lol Which upper section are you referring to - the seam above the cover strip?

The backup on this one if the zipper system doesn't work is to use the elastics and hooks but keep the inner strip channel I've created again due to the shins closing on their own.[emoji106][emoji6]

I have a lot of drive time in my work days to come up with these plans that's why there's always a backup plan[emoji23]

I intend to add a Velcro tab where you see the knot (that hold the two loose ends in the first picture)so it can be affixed to the inside and not flopping around on the inside.

One of those bungees I used to make my neck seal good sir

Right then - I will look into YouTube Cheers Jason!

After 24 hours I will add another bead of glue along the outside edge for more reinforcement - after 48 more hours I will try the first test run - so I'm looking at Thursday or Friday (crossing my fingers).

Other side of the zipper now anchored. I traced where the other zipper strip fell naturally using earth magnets to hold it in place. Once I had the location marked I slapped glue on it and have it anchored into place making sure no glue makes it into the zipper teeth.

Shhchck "Uhhh what sir?" Shhchck [emoji23] I was hoping to avoid learning how to post a video and never researched it but as you have asked for one I shall learn. Any and all help is much appreciated on learning how to post videos - please and thanks! Gonna need the little lady's help filming as I'm a soon to be TK and the force escapes me lol

And now the dry fit after 24 hours without the other side of the zipper secured...

You can see I ran an extra bead of E-6000 along the strip that anchors the zipper for reinforcement.

I'm hoping these pictures will help to see what's going on. Already with inner and outer cover strips on the front of the shins the back of my shins want to close naturally so the only tension the zipper will have is to hold it flat to the other side for ease of zipping.

Great point (as always[emoji106][emoji6]) and I took that into consideration when planning the design. The other side of the zipper that connects to the other side of the shin (smaller side in my last pic) I left space in the area I threaded so the E-6000 can squeeze through. If it holds anything like my snap plates do, this is going to work like a dream... hopefully. I'm confident it's going to work but always prepared for gremlins. More pics and explanation tonight after I get the rest of those ab buttons painted.

To be honest mate I didn't try the tub and probably would have worked but I originally got the idea from our "desert combats - speed laces but didn't like the idea of laces and any extra rub on the calves - which migrated my idea to the wet suit draw tab idea. You know me - "why not give it a try" and test'r'out [emoji106][emoji6]

Funny story about that - I am happy to report that all the leaks I have sprung are all from work - my armor loves me and has not bit me yet [emoji106][emoji6]

Here's the theory behind the idea - granted this is much more sewing intensive but should hold them together and keep the gap to a minimum

Thanks humbly guys - much appreciated [emoji106][emoji6]