INBOUND: Prolimit Winter Range

Prolimit have been striving for many years to be as environmentally conscientious with their wetsuit range as they can. The introduction of their new NaturePrene 2 bio-based alternative to neoprene has seen one of their biggest steps forward yet…

You’ve recently released your winter collection, and before we move to the big news in terms of materials, can you please give us an overview of the range?

Sure, the Prolimit range is divided into different performance levels that have different price points due to different use of foams, linings and additional features. It is important to mention that despite working with 100% neoprene-free products for our 2025 line the prices have come down and production levels have increased, starting at €189. 

So tell us, from your perspective what is the issue with traditional neoprene and what new material have you decided to replace it with?

Prolimit has been working for almost 10 years to improve neoprene and reduce the use of neoprene, working on sustainability. Neoprene in the past was made using oil from the petrochemical industry. Then we made a move to using limestone neoprene, but you could question whether excavating mountains and processing the limestone is really any better. The step we have taken in recent years with our PF (Prolimit Future) series is huge. Made from rubber from FCS plantation rubber trees, enriched with shell remnants, soybean bean oil and recycled carbon black, makes NaturePrene2 unique and a forerunner in the wetsuit industry. 

What would you say to any customers who are worried that this might not be as stretchy or as warm as neoprene?

Prolimit suits are well known to be the most stretchy, warm and quality wetsuits. As mentioned this is an almost 10-year process coming this far and our wetsuits will remain as warm and stretchy as they were. Prolimit will keep our unique 4-layer construction with our Thermal Rebound layering which is unique in the industry and warmer than any other construction. To anyone concerned about the performance of our neoprene-free wetsuits, we want to assure you that our alternative materials have been carefully selected and rigorously tested since 1997 to meet the highest standards. Our wetsuits offer the same level of stretch, flexibility and warmth as traditional neoprene. You can trust that our commitment to sustainability doesn’t compromise the performance and quality you expect from Prolimit wetsuits.

Does the latest wetsuit range all incorporate dope-dyed yarns, other recycled materials and water-based glues like your previous suits?

Yes. The Dope Dye process is what we have been using for many years and this process saves 119 liters of water in the production process. We also use recycled polyester and recycled PET bottles for our linings.

Now, environmental factors aside, are there any key technical features in the new suits that you’d like to highlight to foil fans?

Yes of course: our 4-layer Thermal Rebound neoprene, warmer than other 3-layer neoprenes, our Velcro-attached leg straps provided with our suits designed for wind sports, the drain holes which work with the leg straps, the alternative arm position made for wind sports (different from surfing brands), the FTM Glued and Blindstitched protected seams, the Zodiac and Velvet Airflex linings, the reinforcement patches on every crucial seam connection point, and the way we use GBS and non GBS seams to avoid rash and increase comfort with watertightness.

And are the new suits approved by your team riders?!

Our suits are extensively tested by the best. In recent years our parent company acquired the Naish brand and many of the team riders who switched were amazed by the comfort and quality of their new suits.

We’re sure the journey to sustainability doesn’t end here. What will your team be working towards next?

Our next phase, probably starting in 2026, will be introduced soon making recycling wetsuits possible. Not by reusing the neoprene for other products but recycling all fabrics, the rubber, the zipper, the polyester lining and so on to new raw materials.

As a last point, Prolimit is proud to announce that all GBS wetsuits for 2025 will be CE approved, setting another new level in the wind sports industry. The CE approved wetsuits will deliver what we promise: the finest materials, made with the best quality, watertight seams and comfort.