Wetsuit Tip #7: Choose Limestone neoprene for warmth and longevity

What is your wetsuit made out of?

This may seem a basic question – all wetsuits are made from the same stuff, right? Well, not exactly. All wetsuits are made from neoprene, yes,  but not all neoprene is the same.

There are two types of neoprene - oil-based or limestone-based. Most brands of wetsuits are made from oil-based neoprene. All Seventhwave wetsuits are made from limestone-based neoprene.

Yamamoto limestone neoprene ready for use

So, what's the difference? 

Oil-based neoprene - invented in the 1930s and used in the first wetsuits made in the 1950s, has a closed cell content of around 64% - that means water can be absorbed by the other 36%. Not bad, but not anywhere near as good as limestone neoprene.

Limestone neoprene - which is based on the calcium found in limestone - was invented in the 1960s by  the Yamamoto Corporation. This revolutionary fabric has a closed cell content of 94%! That means only 6% of the fabric can be penetrated by water!

So what does that mean for me? 

In the water:  because limestone neoprene does not absorb water as much as oil-based neoprene it makes it much warmer for longer and it's much lighter. More warmth and less weight = more comfort and staying out for longer. 

Out of the water:  limestone neoprene dries out much faster. In fact if you hang it outdoors after use and in a breeze (out of the sun) it will dry completely in a matter of 2-3 hours. Compare that to an oil-based neoprene wetsuit that can take 2 to 3 days to dry out!