This wetsuit is only available from one Californian store and takes months to order but the Patagonia R3 Wetsuit ($510/€349) is worth the wait if you’re a wave lover but a cold hater.
Lined with merino wool as well as Patagonia’s regulator fleece technology, the suit is designed to trap more insulating air and quickly wick moisture away from your skin, so it couldn’t be cosier. The 3mm R3 is amazingly flexible but has the insulation of 5mm suit.
And all this fabulousness has been achieved while maintaining Patagonia’s well-respected environmental credentials. For starters, the wool is chlorine free, the polyester in the fleece is recycled and the kneepads are PVC-free. But most impressively, the stretchiness is achieved by using Japanese neoprene made from limestone instead of petroleum-based ingredients.
Patagonia does ultimately plan to supply this wetsuit in Europe but for now, you’ll need to order from the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Patagonia Store in California; tel. (+1) 760 6349886.
