What is a Wetsuit made of? What ist Neoprene and what is so special about it?

100 years ago, diving suits were made from the wildest materials, such as leather and metal. Eventually, rubber was used, which wasn't particularly comfortable or warm, but at least kept the diver mostly dry. Then two scientists from the company DuPont turned everything on its head with the invention of neoprene!

From afar, today's diving suits appear to be made of textile fabric, but that first impression is very deceiving. You realise this at the latest when you touch and try them on, noticing the material properties and the weight. Nowadays, a diving suit is made of neoprene, which is a type of rubber and therefore significantly heavier than most textile fabrics, but also much more robust and far better suited for use in the water.

The material so popular and important for us water sports enthusiasts is a type of synthetic rubber that was invented almost 100 years ago by the company DuPont. Originally known as Duprene and now generally referred to as neoprene, the material's actual name is polychloroprene or chloroprene rubber, which, of course, doesn't sound as appealing and isn't easy to remember. Therefore, the material has become famous as neoprene.

Until the 1960s, neoprene was exclusively made from petroleum-based ingredients, which is, of course, anything but sustainable. However, in the 1960s, a new process was developed to produce neoprene using ingredients derived from limestone, which significantly improved neoprene's ecological footprint.

Of course, development did not stop there. Even limestone neoprene is not the best from an ecological perspective, as it is not made from renewable resources and requires large amounts of energy to process. After the turn of the millennium, extensive research was conducted, and there are now several approaches to producing ecological neoprene, such as from oyster shells or natural rubber. The new Yulex neoprene material is made from natural rubber and is already in series production, for example in the Scubapro Everflex Yulex wetsuits available in 5mm or 7mm. 

Noch stecken viele dieser Materialien in Kinderschuhen und haben sich in der flächendeckenden Massenproduktion noch nicht durchgesetzt, aber auch wir freuen uns dir in unserem Shop eine nachhaltige Tauchanzug Serie anbieten zu können, die Yulex Tauchanzüge von Scubapro, Tauchanzüge die aus Naturkautschuk hergestellt wurden und einen sehr sympathischen ökologischen Fußabdruck vorweisen können.

And this is surely just the beginning!

Neoprene, or more specifically, polychloroprene, possesses qualities that make it the perfect choice of material for watersports suits. During the manufacturing process, neoprene is "foamed," resulting in tiny air bubbles being trapped inside. This gives it its elastic and flexible consistency and also grants the material high insulating properties. The material is flexible, soft, lightweight, durable, and insulates well.

Additionally, it is water-repellent, which is one of its most crucial properties, as it is essential in watersports that the watersport suit does not become saturated with water.

All these properties make neoprene indispensable in the world of watersports and a neoprene wetsuit the only choice for a diving suit.

For the manufacture of wetsuits, the neoprene material is usually coated on both sides with a textile fabric or another protective layer to protect the neoprene material itself and also to significantly improve wearing comfort. Thus, in an intact wetsuit, the neoprene material does not come into direct contact with the skin.

If the inner lining or interior coating is damaged, it can indeed happen that the neoprene comes into direct contact with the skin. However, this is not a cause for concern in most cases. It might just feel a bit less comfortable than with an intact intermediate layer. As with any other material, it only becomes uncomfortable in the case of an allergy.

Your wetsuit is made of rubber, not textile fabric, so it should not be treated like a pair of jogging trousers. Neoprene should not be put in the washing machine and not in the dryer either, but requires careful storage and separate cleaning methods, which are not actually complex but need to be considered if you want to enjoy your wetsuit for a long time. You can find detailed instructions in our guide on "How do I care for and clean my wetsuit? How can you wash a wetsuit?"

THANK YOU to the gentlemen from DuPont who gave us neoprene; otherwise, watersports would be only half as much fun!

A durable material that does not become saturated with water, keeps you warm, and is also elastic and comfortable to wear, is simply perfectly suited for wetsuits and watersports in general.

TIP: When selecting your wetsuit, pay attention to good material quality and solid workmanship, as high-quality neoprene material provides greater wearing comfort, better thermal insulation, and longer durability. (Read more in our guide topics "What is the difference between an expensive and a cheap wetsuit?" or "What should I consider when buying a wetsuit?")

TIP: Always remember that your wetsuit is a rubber suit, not a textile suit, and clean, care for, and store it properly to ensure you can enjoy it for a long time. (Read more in our guide topics "How do I care for my wetsuit?" and "How long does a wetsuit last?")