New Wetsuit Technology

 

Patagonia Inc and Yulex Corporation have introduced a guayule ‘natural rubber’ based wetsuit, that is being positioned as the first alternative to traditional fossil-based neoprene. The key test will be producing a Mens Winter Wetsuit that is warm enough for the coldest of waters.
Patagonia is a leading designer of core outdoor, surf and sport-related apparel, equipment, footwear and accessories. Yulex Corporation is a clean technology company developing agricultural-based biomaterials for medical, consumer, industrial and bioenergy products.
“When we started to build wetsuits we knew that neoprene, by nature of its production, was the most environmentally harmful part the product,” said Jason McCaffrey, Patagonia’s Surf Director. “Our initial approach was to use innovative materials, like wool, that are highly insulating and allowed us to use as little neoprene as possible. But we quickly realized that we needed to create a new material that could be a true alternative to neoprene.”
He continued, “After four years of working together, Patagonia and Yulex have co-developed a unique material that allows us to make a wetsuit that is 60% guayule (plant) based. Our goal is to have the formula 100% plant based, but we feel that for now this new material is a big enough step forward to let the world know it is possible to buy something cleaner.
“This is just the first step; it’s our hope that other brands see this as interesting and join the effort to innovate and implement alternatives to traditional neoprene that is used in wetsuits.”
Yulex’s biorubber material is made from guayule, a renewable, non-food crop that requires very little water, is grown domestically in the US, uses no pesticides, and in comparison to traditional neoprene, is reported to have a very clean manufacturing process.
Essentially a desert shrub, guayule (Parthenium argentatum) is a renewable biorubber that has been identified as an alternative to traditional Hevea (Hevea brasiliensis) rubber for many years. Recently, the guayule plant has seen a small but growing resurgence due to its hypoallergenic properties. While traditional rubber contains proteins that can cause severe allergic reactions in a few people, guayule reportedly does not.
Initially, the new Patagonia suits will be available in Japan only. Given that Patagonia’s main market is in surf wear and watersports, this will be the primary area of activity. In spring 2013, surfers will be able to order custom suits out of Patagonia’s wetsuit facility in Ventura, California, with a global roll-out to follow.
The application of guayule in triathlon wetsuits has yet to be fully commercialised. Although, this could present an interesting opportunity.
Earlier this year, De Soto Clothing Inc claimed to have pioneered an alternative to petroleum-based wetsuits. Billed as a first in the industry to introduce limestone rubber into triathlon wetsuits, all T1 Wetsuits now incorporate GreenGoma limestone rubber technology. However, while it is seen as a better option than petroleum-based materials, limestone is still a non-renewable resource.

Made & Harvested in the USA
Given that the guayule plant is home grown in the US, there may also be heightened consumer interest for a ‘Made & Harvested in the USA’ product in the world’s largest triathlon market.
Yulex has developed a portfolio of biomaterials derived from the US grown guayule plant. The company’s technological innovation is designed to replace traditional tropical or petroleum based rubber for consumer, industrial and medical markets, with the residual agricultural materials utilized as a feedstock for bioenergy.
“Yulex commends Patagonia for supporting the advancement of a sustainable, low-carbon future by embracing agricultural-based, biomaterials to replace petroleum-based synthetics,” said Jeff Martin, CEO, President and founder of Yulex Corporation.
“Patagonia is guiding the action sports industry to a new level and setting an example for the importance of sustainable practices. Yulex views this partnership as a major step towards a future where use of our renewable, guayule-based biomaterials is the industry standard.”

Article by 
www.yulex.com
www.patagonia.com

Advice on whether you should buy a Wetsuit or Drysuit

Drysuits & Wetsuits for the Winter Months

Don’t let the winter months stop you from enjoying your watersport as it doesn’t matter whether your into sailing, kayaking, or kitesurfing ,the evolution of wetsuits and drysuits is enabling these sports to be taken to depths of endurance.

Winter Wetsuit

If we firstly take the winter wetsuit, over the last 6 years we have seen a revolution in wetsuit technology and the speed of change has been amazing. A top end wetsuit of 6 years ago would not considered to have enough technical features to be an entry level wetsuit. So if your now looking to buy your first wetsuit or your debating the worth of spending a little more, do you get additional features to make it worth the extra spend or are you paying for brand names. The simple and honest answer especially when dealing with winter  wetsuits is a massive yes.

The more you spend the more flexible / lighter the material becomes and the more technical warmth properties you get. So lets have a look to see what some of these technical features actually mean.

Thermal lining – a material designed to act in the same way as thermal underwear but inside a wetsuit. It wicks water away from the body whilst heating the core areas.

Air Neoprene – Small air pockets that are in built into the neoprene, the theory behind this is air is a better insulator of heat so your body heat warms up the air pockets and in turn this maintains your heat.

Smooth Skin - This is the top layer of neoprene when it is made, it has been used as the smooth layer that manufacturers have used on chest and kidney panels to prevent wind cooling down these areas. This has recently become less important due to double lined neoprene’s becoming so good.

Double Lined Neoprene – Is the double weave of the jersey that comprises the neoprene and In recent years has got so good that it now prevents wind from penetrating the wetsuit thus keeping you even warmer. It also means that rather wind and kite surfers having to buy all smooth skin wetsuits, everyone can now use the one wetsuit and use it for different sports such as surfing, sailing, kayaking etc

Super Stretch Material – This type of high grade neoprene is becoming more and more prevalent as the majority of the neoprene that makes up a wetsuit. In a nutshell it makes the neoprene extremely stretchy thus making movement in the wetsuit easier so you don’t get tired and the better it fits to your body the warmer you will be. This has been the one revolution that has made wearing a wetsuit a joy rather than a pain.

Drysuits

Drysuits are much better for surface watersports such as Sailing, Kayaking, Kitesurfing etc or diving.  In simple terms a dry suit is designed to seal the suit preventing water entering at any point. Should not be used for sports such as surfing due to the bulk of a drysuit.

The main difference between dry suits and wetsuits is that dry suits are designed to prevent water entering. This generally allows better insulation making them more suitable for use in cold water. Dry suits can be uncomfortably hot in warm or hot air, and are typically more expensive and more complex to don. For divers, they add some degree of complexity as the suit must be inflated and deflated with changes in depth in order to avoid "squeeze" on descent or uncontrolled rapid ascent due to over-buoyancy.

For surface watersports drysuits have a geo textile material that allows the material to breath so you sweat less and its generally more comfortable to use. The next choice is socked or non socked drysuits and this generally comes down to preference and wether your sport also requires boots. Generally kite and wind surfers users the non socked drysuit. Drysuits are more expensive than a wetsuit and a little more cumbersome. Usually with a dry suit they come with a thermal suit that is like thermal underwear in a front zip suit.

Advice on Caring for your Wetsuit

How to take care of a wetsuit?

 

Wetsuit users usually think that if you rinse it off with fresh water and hang up, you're doing everything you should to improve your wetsuits life. Almost but there are other things you can be doing

 

A good wetsuit nowadays with all the new technology can be expensive. The investment can easily reach the £400 so you should treat your wetsuit with as much care as possible. If you use your wetsuit 100 days per year plus, it's easy to understand how much pressure you're putting in the neoprene.

 

Salt, sun rays, urine, sand and frequent stretching. Wetsuits are always working for you and, therefore, after you have spent so much money a little more care is a must. That means a special kind of shampoo for neoprene wetsuits.

 

Wetsuit cleaner and conditioner is the best way to ensure your Wetsuit will live a couple of years more. Products such as O’Neill wetsuit cleaner & Rip Curl wetsuits cleaner named ”piss off”” work as disinfectant and cleaning catalysts, by eliminating all small offensive particles. It's like a soap specifically designed for wetsuits.

Remember that hot waters destroys the wetsuit flexibility and that you should dry it inside out. Never wash your wetsuit in the washing machine or put it in a tumble dryer and dry it indoors, as quickly as possible and away from sunlight.

 

No ironing or drying machines, of course. Also, always use a plastic bag to put your wetsuit on.

Looking after your wetsuit requires patience, but it is worth it. You will get more life out of the wetsuit in the long term saving you a bit of money, and will feel a better to your skin whenever you put it on.

 

The O'Neill Wetsuit/Drysuit Cleaner And Conditioner is the best product and is available, here.
The Rip Curl Piss Off Wetsuit Cleaner is a very good pick and can be bought, here.
The McNett Wetsuit & Drysuit Shampoo leaves neoprene articles free of organic residue, chlorine, salt deposits and is available, here.
Discover the best wetsuits in the world, here.

What Beginner Surfboard to Buy?

Bic surfboards have been around now for many years; they sell really well for us and have done so for many years. These surfboards are renowned for being super durable because of their indestructible construction. The board is made from a hardwearing plastic, which is then injected with foam to make the surfboard more buoyant. Due to the hard waring nature of these boards they are ideal for beginners and children. If you smash the nose into the sand, the nose won’t dent, or crack unlike a conventional glassed surfboard. Even though the Bic surfboards are geared towards the learner market, we do see surfers of all abilities using these boards in the water. They are relatively cheap, which is ideal if you want to buy a surfboard which has more volume to pick up the smaller summer waves.

 

The Bic Magnum is a surfboard which ideal for the waves here in the UK. It has lots of volume to offer and has a really nice Mini Mal shape. The Magnum’s nose is wide which follows through to the body of the surfboard to provide great float. Also the thickness of the surfboard is over 3 inch thick which is plenty of volume to make paddling, take off and standing up a breeze.

 

Buy one of these board for under £300

Cheap & Quality Winter Wetsuit, What is a Good Wetsuit?

A really good wetsuit less than £100

C-Skins is a UK wetsuit company which has been making wetsuits for the UK market place for more than Fifteen years. Because the fellas at C-Skins Wetsuits understand UK conditions, they create wetsuits which keep their users warm in the most frigid of waters.

We have just been delivered the brand new seasons C- Skins surflite wetsuits for adults and kids. The men’s and women’s edition are less than £100. The children’s edition is priced at £65 which is brilliant value for money. This excellent price delivers some awesome features.

So why is the C Skins Surflite such a good wetsuit?

Clearly the price is a starting point; a wetsuit which is top quality is actually difficult to find for less than £100. For 4 seasons now we have sold the Surflite and we are incredibly happy with the longevity of the wetsuit. To make sure this wetsuit lasts, C-Skins has spot taped the areas which receive the most stress when putting on and taking of the wetsuit.

To guarantee the wetsuit keeps the body warm, it's glued and blind stitched to make sure that water cannot pass through the stitches. Additionally there is a rubbery material called glide skin. This material is found in the front of the wetsuit and lower back and assists in wicking away water whilst keeping wind chill away.

The actual stretch throughout the wetsuit is extremely reasonable. Situated on the arms you will find the C-Skins high-end neoprene, this truly is great for the paddle zones and overall stretch of the wetsuit. With lots of entry level wetsuits you will find excessive panelling which decreases the stretch from the wetsuit. The Surflite's panelling is actually kept to a minimum; we were amazed to see there was clearly no seam throughout the lower part of the wetsuit.

We think the C-Skins Surflite is actually gonna give the large brand name wetsuits a hard time on the market this year. After all, C-Skins wetsuits are manufactured inside the same manufacturing facility as a number of the big brands like Billabong O’Neill, Rip Curl and Xcel.

How does a Wetsuit work and keep you warm?

So in answer to the question how does a wetsuit keep you warm we should start with the basics of how a wetsuit works. Wetsuits keep you warm by catching a thin layer of water between your skin and the neoprene. Your body heats up this water and keeps you warm. It’s important to get a wetsuit that fits properly, otherwise cold water will constantly flush the warm water out. The neoprene in the wetsuit also acts as insulation against environment, so the thicker the neoprene (and wetsuit) the better the insulation will be. The neoprene contains loads of small air bubbles that provide the insulation.

As technology has advanced in the world of wetsuits and neoprene is of such high quality so does the warmth and flexibility. So where-by the basics of how a wetsuit works is important to warmth its not the most important factor anymore. Let's take a look at some of the key features that uses new technology to make the wetsuit warmer.

                                                               Glued & Blindstiched

In terms of construction GBS is where in construction of the wetsuit they join the material together by gluing then stitching to form a bond that reduces water penetration. The less water that enters the wetsuit the warmer your body will remain. GBS seams are in all winter wetsuits (5mm Wetsuits) as not having any water enter the wetsuit is crucial in cold water. Where-by some entry level summer wetsuits (3mm Wetsuits) will have a flatlock construction which is where the material is overlapped and  double stitched, this form of construction can let some water through the seams but is used in water that is generally warmer so having less impact.


          Thermal Lining

As you can see from the photo the red material is the thermal material which is designed to wick water away from your body and act in the same way as thermal underwear. To the touch the thermal material is soft with slight bobbles. This is generally placed on the chest and kidney area of the wetsuit. The reason for this is to keep the blood flow warm in these key areas thus warm blood is pumped around the body keeping you warmer. Thermal ling is far less flexible than neoprene so does reduce flexibility in the areas to where it is added.


                                                              Liquid Seams

Technology has played a large part in the advent of liquid seams in wetsuits. Liquid seams are designed the minimize even further the possibility of water entering the wetsuit. The process is to GBS the seams first then add this taping to either or both sides of the seam thus making a seal that cant be penetrated. Even as i write this article technology has meant that these seams are reducing in thickness and width to enable increased flexibility. As the more flexible a wetsuit is the better it will feel and the better it will fit, keeping you warmer. So you should consider this when buying a wetsuit. I personally prefer wetsuits without the liquid sealing as i like the flex you get and feeling of not having any restrictions. The seams on wetsuits nowadays is so good that less and less water is getting through the seams.

Hope that has helped explain a couple of the features of what makes a wetsuit warm. Please feel free to ask us to review any products or answer questions by contacting www.wetsuitcentre.co.uk

New Colour in the Rip Curl E Bomb Wetsuit

Just in and looking pretty good is the new colour way from Rip Curl with the E Bomb Pro +

Are you a fan of colour coming back into wetsuits?

Rip Curl Wetsuits seem to be leading the way with quality wetsuits and stunning colour design.

Features:

Rip Curl E3+:
The fourth generation of Elastomax Superstretch Neoprene. Even Lighter, Even Warmer and More Flexible, the E3+ neoprene also contains fantastic quick drying properties, meaning less times spent climbing into cold wet wetsuits.

Hydroloc Collar:
Seals neck and prevents those unwanted cold water flushes!


Glued & Blindstiched:
Maximum seam stretch and strength with zero water penetration gives unbeatable warmth and keeps the cold water out.

S-Flex Knees:
Highly flexible and durable knee pads allowing maximum movement and unsurpassed life span.


Seamless Shoulder Panel:
For unrestricted flexibility and movement

Stash Pocket:
External zip pocket with comb for easy access.

Wetsuit Centre Drysuits

If your not sure about which Drysuit to purchase then why not take advantage of Jeff's latest video running through the features of the Typhoon Hypercurve Drysuit.

The feedback we have had on this drysuit has been really good and we will keep you up to date with the latest developments.

Sean

Wetsuit Centre CEO

Wetsuit Centre Facebook

If you want to know anything wetsuit or for latest offers from the wetsuit centre you can find us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/thewetsuitcentre

Wetsuit Centre Monthly Magazine

The Wetsuit Centre gives a Wetsuit guide / review on what is good or bad for this summers choice of mens summer Wetsuits..

Wetsuit Sizing

So when thinking about buying a Wetsuit apart from which wetsuit will fit your needs best, sizing is the key factor. So the Wetsuit Centre has produced a video to help you make the right choice, which you can view on this link Wetsuits. You should always refer to a sizing chart and the most important factors to consider are waist, chest and height measurements. The Wetsuit Centre are more than happy to help and will help with any Wetsuit sizing questions that you may have, so feel free to call or e mail us.

If when trying on wetsuits and are unsure of whether you have a good fit here are some helpful tips.

1. If its tight around the legs or arms, don not worry this will loosen after a few uses and is not a sign of an ill fitting wetsuit.

2. For the ladies if it feels tight around the neck fear not as this will also loosen after a few uses, most women dont like the feeling a wetsuit creates around the neck.

3. If there is excess material around the back above the bum this is a sign that the wetsuit is to big and will fill with water around the kidneys which will make you cold.

4.If the material is pulling down on your shoulders and you can see the silver showing through the wetsuit is to small and you will need to increase in size.

5. If the wetsuit is over sized on the arms and legs in length but you have the perfect fit in the body then two things you may need to try a short model in that wetsuit for a perfect fit. If the brand does not make a short version then fear not it will not effect the warmth of the wetsuit at all.

Hope this small article has been of some help

Rip Curl Heated Rash Vest or Quiksilver Heated Vest....Worth the Money?

So with the development of technology have we reached the next stage in wetsuit warmth for cold water with the Rip Curl Heated Rash Vest? I have tested the Quiksilver Heated Rash Vest http://www.wetsuitcentre.co.uk/products.asp?pid=882 & the Rip Curl version http://www.wetsuitcentre.co.uk/products.asp?pid=2299 with some interesting results.

Firstly the Quiksilver version is cheaper and charging of the single battery was easy and the same for assembly. I found the heat was good at the highest level so medium was more than adequate. Your whole body, especially the core was warm and weirdly i could feel the cold through the wetsuit in places that had never been felt before such as the legs. The other issue was when going under the water the cold to the head felt quite extreme, so a good hood is still a must. Battery life is about two hours but after continued usage this seemed to reduce. I also had a few issues with batteries not holding a charge which was really annoying considering £150 price tag and some of the connectors had rust on them. The other slightly annoying factor was changing the heating settings as its difficult to know if you have turned it off by mistake. Overall i give the Quiksilver Heated Rash Vest 3 out of 5....

Rip Curl Heated Rash Vest feels a looks like a far Superior construction than the Quiksilver version. They have taken the H Bomb technology (costing £800 for the heated Wetsuits) and turned it into a Rash Vest which is a pretty smart idea as you can use it in any wetsuit rather than like the H Bomb when the wetsuit has had its day you cant transfer to technology. For starters it has different temp settings up to 50c setting. The fit is comfortable and easy to change the heat settings. It heats all your back including kidneys rather than just the kidneys like the Quiksilver version. Have to say after using this i am loving this addition to my Wetsuit. Keeps you toastie in the coldest of conditions does not seem to have to cold leg / head problem that the Quiksilver product produced. Overall a more expensive product £250 but does what it should do, keep you super warm in the coldest of conditions.This product holds good battery life and is easterly re-chargeable. My recommendation is spend the extra money and experience what every water user wants.....Warmth in cold water...Overall i give the Rip Curl Heated Rash vest 4.5 out of 5.....

For these and more great products please check out www.wetsuitcentre.co.uk

Winter Wetsuits or Summer Wetsuits

When looking for a Wetsuit you should consider what time of year you are wanting to use it. For example if your looking at using it in the months of November to April in UK waters then the temprature will range from 15c down as low as 5c. You will then need a Winter Wetsuit which will be a 5/4/3 in thickness, and what this actually means is the body is 5mm then a panel from the body to the arms of 4mm and arms of 3mm. All winter Wetsuits will be glued and blindstitched which means on every seam they have been stitched then the two pieces of material glued together to form a bond which wont allow water to penetrate the seam. You should consider your budget as generally the more you spend the more features you will get on the Wetsuits making it warmer such as thermal lining and air neoprene. The wetsuit will also be far more flexible and again the more you spend the more flexible it becomes making it fit better to your body which will keep you warmer. Good makes to consider are O'Neill Wetsuits, Rip Curl Wetsuits, Billabong Wetsuits, Xcel Wetsuits to name a few.

If you are looking at a summer / spring wetsuit which are generally used from May to October then these are 3/2 wetsuits. Meaning 3mm on the body and 2mm on the arms. Same applies in terms of cost the more you spend the more flexiblethe wetsuit is and the warmer.

Hope this helps and for the best range check out www.wetsuitcentre.co.uk