The Conscious Surfer's Guide to Eco-Friendly Wetsuits / Part 1

The Conscious Surfer's Guide to Eco-Friendly Wetsuits / Part 1

If you made a list of ten buzzwords from the last 20 years, 'eco-friendly' would sit somewhere within the top three. Consequently, it sometimes feels like the term is thrown around too casually. Take eco-friendly wetsuits as an example.

While some brands truly do prioritise sustainability and natural rubber when it comes to crafting an eco wetsuit, many are simply using the promise of environmental friendliness as a marketing ploy. As such, conscious surfers who don't have the time to dig into the nitty gritty regarding their various wetsuit manufacturers might be left feeling bewildered.

That's why we created this definitive two-part guide to eco-friendly wetsuits - so that you can make an educated decision when it comes time to hit the beach and reduce your carbon footprint.

You'll learn the following in the first part. As for the second part, we'll go deeper into the other materials used to make eco-friendly wetsuits plus tips on how to choose a sustainable wetsuit based on your needs and budget. We'll also list the most eco-friendly wetsuits on the market right now.

Read on for answers to the following questions:

• What makes a wetsuit 'eco-friendly'?
• Why is traditional neoprene harmful to the environment?
• What are the most popular natural rubber neoprene alternatives right now?

Enjoy!

What makes a wetsuit 'eco-friendly'?

Once upon a time, warmth, flex and comfort were the only parameters that wetsuit brands had to tick off.

These days, the eco-friendliness of the materials and production methods used when taking a wetsuit from the workshop to the surf shop are just as important.

What constitutes an eco wetsuit though is a tricky question. Can this be applied to wetsuits only using sustainable materials or assembly methods in part? Or should it be reserved for wetsuits that are wholly eco-friendly from the ground up?

The truth is that any wetsuit using eco-friendly materials and production methods can be considered eco-friendly, but like anything, not all eco-friendly wetsuits are created equal.

So, to answer the question, any eco wetsuit that has been made using renewable materials and methods that reduce carbon emissions in any form is considered an eco-friendly wetsuit.

Why is traditional neoprene harmful to the environment?

While nobody is knocking the fact that traditional neoprene wetsuits do their job, there's no denying that every neoprene wetsuit that's ever been stitched up, glued together and sold off carries a heavy environmental burden.

It all starts with the wetsuit manufacturers and the neoprene material itself. 

This man-made synthetic rubber is made using petroleum, which emits toxins into the environment during production and creates chemicals that can be hazardous to both marine life and humans if they make their way into our waters. For example:

• Polychloroprene is considered a harmful volatile organic compound (VOC) that can negatively affect human health and the environment
• Neoprene production sometimes involves the use of lead, a heavy metal that can be toxic if inhaled or ingested
• Carbon black is a chemical that gives neoprene its black colour. It can also pose a health hazard if inhaled in large amounts

In addition, some conventional wetsuits are manufactured overseas in factories where environmental regulations might not be as strict as in the Western world. This means that any harmful chemicals produced during production are likely to be released into the environment without effective regulation or oversight.

Finally, many binding agents and dyes used on traditional wetsuits aren't especially friendly to the environment either. This applies not only to their makeup but also to the effect they have on the environment when they break down.

What are the most popular neoprene alternatives?

Fortunately for eco-conscious surfers, it seems that neoprene wetsuits are slowly being phased out in favour of popular eco-friendly, neoprene-free alternatives.

Walk into any surf shop or scroll through the pages of an online supplier and you'll find a range of eco-friendly suits. 

These eco wetsuits are being made using sustainable and renewable materials, and as such they come with the added peace of mind that you're not harming the environment when you wear them. Thanks to groundbreaking innovations in neoprene-free wetsuit tech, you can also enjoy the same or better warmth, flex and comfort as old wetsuits.

Limestone neoprene

One of the most popular and affordable rubber neoprene wetsuit alternatives is limestone neoprene. 

This is a type of fabric made from powdered limestone that creates a material with similar characteristics to traditional neoprene but with far fewer environmental implications (although it should be noted that the extraction process is energy-intensive and non-renewable).

Limestone neoprene is also much more durable than traditional neoprene so it can withstand more wear and tear and provides greater flexibility as well. This equates to a longer lifespan which means that you can go longer between wetsuit purchases, saving both your pocket and the environment.

Yulex neoprene

Another popular alternative to traditional neoprene is Yulex rubber neoprene. 

This type of neoprene is made from a natural rubber called guayule grown in North America, making it free from petroleum derivatives and other synthetic materials. Yulex neoprene is dramatically more environmentally friendly than traditional conventional neoprene wetsuits. It’s also free from harmful toxins and doesn't off-gas any potentially hazardous chemicals during the production process.

As an added bonus, Yulex neoprene wetsuits are totally biodegradable - a feature that's definitely worth considering when we're talking about eco-friendly suits.

Check out our Yulex rubber wetsuits here.

Recycled neoprene

Recycled neoprene suits are made using recycled materials such as old fishing nets, recycled nylon and scraps of neoprene fabric. 

This not only reduces the environmental cost of manufacturing new neoprene but also helps to reduce waste in the ocean. Recycled neoprene wetsuits are an excellent way to make sure that your wetsuit purchase isn't adding to the problem of plastic pollution, but it's important to remember that they aren't necessarily as flexible and durable as traditional or alternative neoprene fabric.

This means that you might need to replace your eco-friendly wetsuits more frequently, which could end up being less sustainable in the long run.

Bioprene

Bioprene is a type of recycled polyester made of neoprene fabric made from repurposed natural materials such as crushed seashells or even oyster shell powder.

This material has similar characteristics to traditional natural rubber but it's much more environmentally friendly. While nowhere near being a mainstream neoprene alternative, bioprene is quickly making waves among eco-conscious surfers who appreciate its low environmental impact and great performance.

The added bonus of bioprene is that it's also totally free from any especially harsh chemicals and toxins, making it an excellent choice for any green surfer who wants to do their bit for the environment without compromising on warmth, stretch or comfort.

Ariaprene

Ariaprene is a unique material made from chemical pellets that are turned into an elastic, breathable and insulating closed-cell foam.

This non-petroleum-based foam can then be used in the manufacturing of eco-wetsuits that are toxin-free, quick-drying and highly insulating. What's more, Ariaprene is hypoallergenic, which means it's suitable for those who suffer from allergies or skin sensitivities.

Ariaprene isn't as well-known as other neoprene alternatives, but given these benefits plus the fact that its production doesn't involve harmful substances and that it's entirely recyclable, it won't be long before you see other brands using this neoprene-free product in their new wetsuit ranges.

EicoPrene

If you're seeking an eco-friendly alternative to neoprene that won't set you back a small fortune, EicoPrene is the go. It's made from a mix of limestone and recycled tyres.

One drawback is that because it's a limestone-neoprene-based material, the production process of eco wetsuits made from EicoPrene is quite energy intensive. On the flip side, it doesn't require the burning of fossil fuels, nor will it require you to rob a small bank due to the fact that it's one of the more affordable environmentally-friendly natural rubber materials on the market.

Again, EicoPrene is a relatively new alternative material, but ifreviews like this are anything to go by it's well worth considering for those who are on the hunt for a performance-oriented and environmentally friendly wetsuit.

Browse our EicoPrene wetsuits here.

What to expect in part two...

Now that you've got a grasp on a few of the more important natural rubber neoprene wetsuit alternatives, we'll be diving deeper into the world of eco-friendly wetsuits in our second part.

You can expect to learn more about the other materials used in eco-friendly wetsuits (dope dying, water-based glues etc.) as well as some tips for finding an eco wetsuit that suits your needs and budget.

Stay tuned!

Browse our sustainable wetsuits here