Surf’s up!
It’s time to grab your eco-friendly wetsuits and hit the waves.
Traditional wetsuits are made from neoprene (AKA petroleum), making them non-renewable and harmful to humans, animals, and (yes) the oceans they help us experience.
We love a good wipe-out, but not when it’s also wiping out the planet.
Fortunately, neoprene-free wetsuits—like those made from limestone, recycled tires, or natural wetsuit rubber—forego harmful production methods, emit fewer carbon emissions and use less water and resources.
With these sustainable wetsuits, you can spend less time stressing and more time shredding.
Everything we recommend to you on Sustainable Jungle is independently researched and we ask all brands to confirm their claims. To avoid waste, we test products on an as needed basis. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about why we do thishere.
Catch A Wave In The Top Totally Tubular Sustainable Wetsuits
Like all of Patagonia’s outdoor wear, their Yulex® wetsuits are as high-quality as those offshore wind conditions. Better yet, they’re made from natural rubber that is renewable, FSC-certified, and emits fewer carbon emissions.
We’re stoked on Certified B Corp Picture Organic, who produces eco wetsuits from limestone neoprene, making it a fantastic alternative to traditional options.
Why Choose Sustainable Wetsuits?
High-quality, sustainable products can be expensive, so you might wonder why you should choose them in the first place.
But let’s dive (get it?) into the basics first: are wetsuits environmentally friendly?
Well, remember: what are wetsuits made of?
That’s right, plastic.
Neoprene refers to polychloroprene, a synthetic rubber or petrochemical fabric from the 1930s.
The wetsuit material is durable, flexible, heat-resistant, and 100% waterproof—but incredibly detrimental to the environment.
Neoprene isn’t biodegradable or renewable, but is neoprene toxic?
Maybe not in its finished, wearable form, but it’s certainly toxic to create.
Neoprene production process emits chloroprene, a toxic chemical that’s harmful to humans and animals, causing damage to the lungs, liver, kidneys, and immune system.
Choosing eco-friendly wetsuits helps put an end to harmful production practices and chemicals that damage you, animals, and the environment.
How We Chose The Best Eco-Friendly Wetsuits
We’ve gone to the end of the surf to find the best sustainable fashion alternatives for your favorite extreme water sports.
But with so many different wetsuit brands and options, how did we find the best eco-friendly wetsuits?
Just like when we assessed standard sustainable swimwear brands, we used the following criteria:
Materials:
What is the eco-friendly alternative to neoprene?
When it comes to neoprene’s sustainable alternatives, there are actually three options:
First, there are natural rubber wetsuits made by the eco-friendly neoprene manufacturers Arizona’s Yulex® (FSC-certified) and Taiwan’s SHEICO Group (EcoPrene).
These options emit fewer emissions than traditional wetsuits and are theroetically biodegradable, but usually not, since the natural rubber is often mixed with some recycled synthetics.
Next up is Japanese limestone neoprene, made by Japan’s Yamamoto Corporation. It’s argued to be more durable and sustainable, but some sustainable brands (including Patagonia) disagree, since limestone is still a non-renewable resource.
Finally, there’s recycled neoprene, which makes use of existing neoprene wetsuits that would otherwise likely go to waste.
- Certifications: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), bluesign®, Rainforest Alliance
Supply chain and labor practices:
Sustainability doesn’t stop at high tide.
Brands with transparent, ethical supply chains with fair working conditions are a must.
- Certifications: B Corporation (B Corp), Fair Trade, International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14001),
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Utilizing alternative neoprene production methods to cut emissions, water usage, and energy consumption has us stoked.
Recyclable or biodegradable packaging, carbon offset programs, and repair programs are other great initiatives to make a difference.
Because neoprene recycling is still difficult to come by, we would like to see more brands offer take-back programs for recycling wetsuits at the end of their surfing days.
Inclusivity:
Many of these brands have additional size options for different body types, like medium-tall or large-short.
Community & charitable giving:
Most of the brands on our list contribute to social and environmental causes in some capacity, like beach clean-ups or donating to surf organizations and making other contributions.
Final Thoughts On Sustainable & Recycled Wetsuits
Ready to hang ten with sustainable neoprene?
Selecting high-quality products made from sustainable materials is a must for you, animals, and the environment. Traditional neoprene options are outdated, leaching harmful chemicals into oceans and the individuals making the products.
Swapping to non-neoprene wetsuits is one step in the right direction.
Know someone who’s ready to hit the beach?
Send them this list of sustainable wetsuits, so they can surf the next set sustainably in their new wetsuit.
