Wetsuit Materials

As wetsuit design evolves, new and improved materials are being used to manufacture wetsuits. The following six materials are some of the most commonly used in the making of modern wetsuits.

Jersey
Jersey is the material commonly used for the interior lining of wetsuits. Jersey is soft and skin-friendly, and is usually made from hollow, high stretch polyester, though nylon is also used. Jersey can also be added to the outside of wetsuits, such as on camouflage-patterned wetsuits. Inner jersey linings can also be enhanced with other materials (see titanium below).

Neoprene
Neoprene is a synthetic rubber compound and the commonest of all wetsuit materials. Nearly all wetsuits feature neoprene as a base material. Basic neoprene is laminated foam, though it also comes in skin or flex forms. These alternative forms of neoprene are more flexible and stretchable and more vulnerable to cutting or abrasions.

Nylon
Nylon is used for both the inner and outer linings of wetsuits. Nylon is highly durable and protects more vulnerable wetsuit materials from abrasions and scuffing, but it also reduces flexibility, making wetsuits more restrictive.

Spandex
Spandex is among the most flexible of wetsuit materials and is sometimes used as an alternative to nylon. Wetsuits made entirely of spandex can be used in temperate climates. The panels of highly flexible neoprene wetsuits can contain up to 20% spandex.

Thermoplastic
Sometimes known as thermoskin, thermoplastics are thin, heat-reflective wetsuit materials with good sealing properties. Thermoplastic suits are sometimes worn beneath neoprene wetsuits to give swimmers extra protection in cold water.

Titanium
Titanium may not sound like a wetsuit material, but many high-end contemporary wetsuits contain titanium oxide in the lining or titanium thread woven into the neoprene. Titanium increases the wetsuit's warmth by reflecting more heat back into the body.