To the wetsuit shopper just beginning their journey, one name keeps recurring: Yamamoto, and for good reason. Founded in 1961, the Japanese manufacturer is the standard bearer for the neoprene (a rubber) used to construct the most popular triathlon wetsuits on the market.
Made from Limestone (as opposed to petroleum), Yamamoto neoprene provides it all: insulation, buoyancy, and stretch.
Yamamoto presently has 4 versions: 38, 39, 40, and 44.
Version | Stretch relative to original size | Elasticity gain relative to Yamamoto 38 |
---|---|---|
Yamamoto 38 | 200% | – |
Yamamoto 39 | 307% | 53% |
Yamamoto 40 | 383% | 92% |
Yamamoto 44 | 513% | 157% |
Generally, the higher and later the version, the more likely it is to be found on top-tier premium triathlon wetsuits.
For more, visit the Yamamoto website and check out their short video on YouTube.