So, what makes the Patagonia wetsuit special? It's the neoprene Most neoprene is made almost entirely from petroleum-based ingredients. Patagonia wetsuit neoprene is made from 80% non-petroleum based ingredients, which decreases the dependency on the limited resource petroleum. The neoprene rubber used for Patagonia Wetsuits has a 98% higher closed cell ratio than other suits, which adds dead air space and with it, warmth. and the Merino Wool lining New & Patented: conventionally used Merino Wool is treated with chlorine to soften the fiber's surface for next-to-skin comfort, but chlorine is extremely polluting. Patagonia uses a patented Slow Wash process without chlorine, and without any other environmentally harmful ingredients. Secondly the conventional chlorine process destroys the wool fibers so much, that a resin coating is necessary afterwards to stabilize the fiber — with the Slow Wash process the fiber stays intact and natural. Advantages: • the wool fiber provides superior warmth, even when wet • wool has a low thermal conductivity rate, with the effect, that the body temperature increases. So as a result the new merino/regulator lining provides long-term warmth and quick drying. |
