|
Patagonia have now turned their passion for quality to wetsuits - and they've revolutionised the wetsuit industry. They wanted something warmer, more flexible, better fitting and tough enough to withstand extended use. They started with a combination of limestone neoprene, polyester and nylon, like all the other brands, but then pushed further, unsatisfied with just tweaking the status quo. First they tried lining a suit with the Regulator® insulation they use in their alpine clothing, but the polyester absorbed water and turned heavy and cold. So they looked to what divers, sailors and fishermen had been using all these years to stay warm in and on the ocean - wool. Wanting the finest, they chose merino.
It’s the merino lining that gives Patagonia's wetsuits their added warmth without added rubber. But their patented merino wool grid is just one part of the successful equation. The neoprene they use has a high-density nitrogen cell structure for maximum warmth and durability, the post consumer recycled polyester jersey increases durability while minimizing environmental impact, and the quality craftsmanship and attention to little details ensures a great performing, well-made wetsuit.
Patagonia wetsuits are decidedly warmer than standard nylon-lined suits. But that’s not all. They also wear longer, dry faster and are more environmentally conscious than other suits.
The R3 is made from 3mm neoprene, but due to its construction, it is as warm, if not warmer, than a standard 5/3mm winter steamer.
Features:
• Dual neck gasket construction (internal and external)
keeps water out
Overlapped front yoke for easy on/off
• Chlorine-free merino wool grid lining for superior warmth
• Seams which are single-needle blind-stitched on the outside
using nylon-bonded thread and triple glued for extra
durability and strength; crotch seams are internally taped
• Bar tacks (clean-finished and reinforced with a polyurethane
tab) reinforce wrist and ankle seams in high stress areas
• Anatomically engineered, PVC-free kneepads are flexible
and durable
3mm neoprene - but as warm if not warmer than a standard 5/3mm winter steamer |