What’s the most eco-friendly wetsuit material?

Making ethical choices when it comes to wetsuit materials can be a minefield. It’s often a careful balance of weighing up what matters to you and where you’re prepared to spend – or compromise. We’ve put together a glossary of wetsuit materials, so you can make up your own mind. 

As well as traditional petroleum-based neoprene, wetsuits can be made from limestone, natural rubber, fishing nets and even crushed seashells. But what are the qualities of each, and the environmental impact?

Neoprene

Traditional neoprene has excellent water resistance, thermal insulation, flexibility and durability. It’s also widely available and often cheaper than alternatives. However, neoprene also carries a heavy environmental burden. A man-made synthetic rubber made using petroleum – a non-renewable and quickly depleting resource – it emits toxins during production and creates chemicals that can be hazardous to marine life. The dyes and binding agents are often non-environmentally friendly, it’s generally made in countries with less strict environmental regulations, and it’s hard to recycle, often ending up in landfill where it takes hundreds of years to decompose. 

Limestone neoprene

Invented in the 1950s, limestone neoprene is made from calcium carbonate found in limestone rock, mainly mined in Japan. Yamamoto neoprene is a brand of high-quality, limestone-based neoprene known for its exceptional flexibility, warmth and durability. Limestone neoprene is becoming a popular, premium material that shares similar characteristics to petroleum-based neoprene, only more flexible, durable and lightweight. As it has a longer lifespan, it’s less impactful on the environment and costs less per wear over its lifespan. Bear in mind, the extraction process is still energy-intensive and made with non-renewable resources. 

Yulex

Yulex is the world’s first plant-based replacement for neoprene, made from natural rubber from hevea brasiliensis rubber trees. It was first adopted by Patagonia in 2014 and is now used by over 50 brands. It performs equally or better than traditional neoprene, and the new iteration, Yulex 2.0, has a superior degree of stretch and elasticity. Sourced from authorised natural rubber plantations in Southeast Asia, it’s traceable back to the smallholder.

Thermocline

There are always new neoprene-free innovations coming out. Cornish brand Fourth Element makes a unique fabric called Thermocline using ECONYL® recycled nylon from fishing nets, laminated with a waterproof membrane and thermal fleece, a material that can be recycled again and again. Although we haven’t tried it (it’s mainly used in diving suits), it promises to be lightweight, neutrally buoyant, machine washable, breathable and hypo-allergenic.

Bioprene 

A recycled polyester made from renewable raw materials such as sugar cane, crushed seashells and oyster shells and plant oils. It’s also free from toxics and harsh chemicals. Although not a mainstream alternative, bioprene has similar characteristics to neoprene in terms of durability, flexibility and insulation.

Photo: Finisterre’s Yulex wetsuits