Patagonia Wetsuits

Some Information on Patagonia Wetsuits

It takes 6 hours and 45 minutes to make a Patagonia wetsuit. This is the quality and effort that Patagonia puts into making their wetsuits.  They also have done a great job to make their wetsuits more sustainable. They decided that the best thing they could do for the environment was focus on durability. While most wetsuits last a season or two, Patagonia’s are built to last much longer. Regular wetsuits are practically disposable.

Although the smoothskin material found on most wetsuits is effective at keeping you warm, it tends to break down rather quickly. Patagonia strays from the norm and uses other methods and materials to keep you warm. The most unique feature found on their wetsuits is the merino wool lining. Both comfortable and warm, the wool lining allows them to use thinner neoprene to accomplish the same amount of warmth. By using less neoprene, you end up with a more flexible and more eco-friendly wetsuit. Wool is a renewable resource, while neoprene comes from oil and limestone. The environmental impact of using wool is significantly less than that of neoprene.

By using post-consumer recycled polyester and absolutely no PVC in their suits, Patagonia has minimized the environmental impact without compromising performance. When stitching the seams, they use a curved needle with grooves in it to minimize friction and damage to the material. The needle never passes all the way through and pokes a hole, and they never stop stitching mid-seam. Construction takes about twice the time of normal wetsuits, and the result is incredible.  

Whether it’s a back zip or front zip wetsuit, Patagonia makes some of the best products available. The wool liner keeps you dry and cozy while their superior stitching methods and neoprene block out cold wind and water. Even Patagonia wetsuit booties are the best in the business. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with a Patagonia product, their “ironclad guarantee” applies to everything they make. We also carry a full line of Matuse Wetsuits which are also great in addition to patagonia.