Why Are Most Wetsuits Black?
Wes Severson December 23rd, 2024 Posted In: Articles
We love wetsuits! They keep us warm and comfy when we’re having fun doing our favorite activities in cold water. When you look out at a pack of surfers you’ll notice several commonalities but one is visual and obvious. Why are most wetsuits black? The reason is not just about style, there’s actually a lot of functionality behind the choice to use the color black. If someone asks, ‘Why are wetsuits black?’, read this article and you can bet you’ll have the answer.
Why Are Wetsuits Black = The Material
Before we dive in, let’s chat quickly about the basics of wetsuits. The majority of them are made with the synthetic rubber known as neoprene. Neoprene has incredible insulation properties while offering flexibility and durability. The biggest factor in the color of a wetsuit is that neoprene is an oil-based product that naturally makes it very dark.
Making neoprene involves the melting of rubber chips, creating a dark liquid that is poured into sheets and molds. Changing the color of the natural color of neoprene would mean extra money for manufacturers to dye it or bleach it. Plus, black dyes containing pigments that enhance the durability of the neoprene are actually added to make them blacker, because that makes them tougher.
Taking Advantage of the Sun
A sheet of neoprene is filled with microscopic air bubbles that make the material very hard to penetrate. But what also helps keep you warm is the fact that black material helps absorb heat more efficiently than lighter colors. Using the color black means taking full advantage of the warmth of the sun. The extra heat absorption it provides makes a big difference when it comes to maximizing your warmth in the water.
While the sun is beating down on the outside of the suit, the black wetsuit is working inside by helping to regulate your temperature. The color black helps retain body heat better than lighter colors, which is helpful for surfers, SCUBA divers, and swimmers who need to stay in the water longer and need optimum temperature regulation.
Wetsuit Functionality & Durability
Another huge reason that most wetsuits are black is the science behind UV resistance. The color black acts as a shield from UV rays that can be harmful to your wetsuit, slowly compromising the neoprene over time. The color black helps absorb the UV rays from direct sunlight on the water, limiting the damage they can do to your wetsuit and keeping it working as long as it can.
The sun isn’t the only element that wants to decompose your wetsuits. Things like sand, dirt, kelp, rocks, and salt are some of the biggest contributors to wear and tear to your wetsuit. Thankfully, black hides dirt and stains better than lighter colors, keeping your wetsuit looking better for longer.
Black Never Goes Out of Style
Why are most wetsuits black? Ask fashion designers. They’ll tell you that the color black has a slimming effect. It can give the illusion that you are thinner. That comes into play because wetsuits don’t offer the most flattering look for many people.
You might have heard the phrase ‘black never goes out of style’ in reference to clothing. Think about it, a man in a black suit is associated with professionalism, sleekness, and sophistication. The same principle applies to wetsuits. Black wetsuits have become a timeless look across the world for water sports enthusiasts and professionals.
The color black also works great as a backdrop for wetsuit brands to display their snazzy logos and designs. On top of that, black is neutral and can make colors pop. It’s the perfect color for pairing up colored gear like rash guards, competition jerseys, or triathlon numbers.
Why Yulex Wetsuits Are Black
With technology advancing rapidly in the wetsuit industry, we are seeing innovations each year. The popularity of the newer Yulex wetsuits is a testament to why black wetsuits perform better. Wetsuits made of yulex instead of neoprene are much more environmentally-friendly and sales have taken off the last few years.
Yulex is a natural latex made from a white rubbery liquid from trees in the tropics. Because it is lighter-colored in nature, yulex would be much easier to create colored wetsuits. However, the major yulex wetsuit makers are dyeing the material black because of the color’s special properties.
Colored Wetsuits
Colored wetsuits are out there, but as I mentioned earlier, they typically cost more than a traditional black one. Plus, they don’t last as long. You can get them in tons of shades, even neon colors and white. Some wetsuits that are meant for deeper water are outfitted with an outer lining of soft nylon or polyester fabric that can come in a wide range of camouflage patterns. There are also bright-colored wetsuits designed specifically for sports like open-water swimming.
Environment & Recycling
It’s not only the cost, but manufacturers have stayed away from colored wetsuits because, as I mentioned above, they break down faster which adds more strain to the environment. That means more of them end up in landfills. Black wetsuits need to be replaced less often which reduces the need for frequent replacements, keeping waste as low as possible.
Black wetsuits offer another incentive; they’re easy to recycle. Since most of the neoprene is black, it’s easier to repurpose it into new wetsuits and other neoprene products. Many wetsuit brands now offer recycling programs to help spur this movement.
The Timeless Appeal of the Black Wetsuit
So, why are most wetsuits black? Practicality, performance, and style. The heat absorption, UV protection, durability, stain-hiding ability, and sleekness of a black wetsuit are why this color will always be king when it comes to withstanding harsh elements associated with watersports. Even though colored and multi-colored wetsuits are gaining popularity, black will always be the majority because it offers the perfect balance of form and function, while maintaining the timeless style.
After reading this, I hope you hold a whole new appreciation for your black wetsuit and the science and strategy it uses to keep you warm while you’re in the water!
