Vissla New Seas 3-2 Wetsuit Sustainability Report

The Vissla New Seas 3-2 is constructed with limestone-based neoprene, but it also incorporates recycled oyster shells, rubber, and Eco-Carbon Black (made from tire scraps) into its design. This innovation offers an alternative to fully limestone-based neoprene, which reduces the carbon footprint of the material and the wetsuit overall. However, the suit does not receive full points in this category, since using Yulex (present in other wetsuits we reviewed) has a lower environmental impact.

Some wetsuit brands have begun to transition away from petroleum-based neoprene, which relies on non-renewable fossil fuels. Among the alternatives, the lowest-impact option is Yulex, a plant-based rubber derived from Forest Stewardship Council–certified hevea trees, which are a renewable resource. Yulex has an 80% reduced carbon footprint compared to petroleum-based neoprene. Other brands use limestone-based neoprene as an alternative to petroleum-based versions. While it avoids oil extraction and the associated risk of spills, limestone is still a non-renewable resource that requires energy-intensive mining and processing. Some companies claim that limestone-based neoprene has a lower environmental impact than petroleum-based versions, but we have yet to find research or lifecycle assessments to substantiate that claim. As a result, we do not include limestone-based neoprene in our low-impact rubber criterion.

Vissla does not label this wetsuit as PFAS free. We couldn’t find any information about PFAS content in Visla’s products. We reached out to the brand for further information but did not hear back.

The materials in a wetsuit often contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) as part of the product’s defense against outside moisture and stains. These synthetic compounds, also known as "forever chemicals,” are found in a range of gear categories, from jackets to footwear. They resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

Vissla uses water-based lamination adhesives to bond the layers of its wetsuits, eliminating the need for harmful solvents. Unlike traditional glues that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), these adhesives reduce chemical exposure for workers and environmental harm. The glue maintains strong bonding performance, ensuring the wetsuit’s durability and longevity.

Some outdoor gear, such as wetsuits and tents, uses adhesives to bond materials together. These adhesives are often solvent based and can contain harmful chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are hazardous to human health and contribute to air pollution during manufacturing and off-gassing. Switching to water-based adhesives significantly reduces VOC emissions, improving air quality and creating a safer environment for workers. Water-based alternatives can still provide strong, durable bonds suitable for technical seam construction, but with a reduced environmental impact.

The Vissla New Seas 3-2 incorporates several recycled materials to reduce reliance on virgin resources. The wetsuit rubber is made up of 20% recycled nylon, and the interior lining features fabric made from recycled polyester and jersey. Additionally, recycled rubber, tires, and oyster shells contribute to the limestone-based neoprene composition, supporting a circular materials approach.

Outdoor gear can be made partly or entirely from recycled materials, the most common being nylon, polyester, wool, and down. Some products include a single recycled component or a partially recycled fabric, while others are 100% recycled (generally excluding accessories like zippers, Velcro, toggles, etc.). For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate the amount of recycled materials in a particular product and assign points accordingly.

To reduce water and energy usage, the New Seas 3-2 incorporates solution-dyed fabrics in its lining, as do all Vissla wetsuits. This dyeing process infuses pigment directly into the fibers during production, using significantly less water and emitting fewer carbon emissions compared to traditional batch dyeing methods.

Solution dyeing is a process in which pigment is added to a synthetic fiber’s raw materials during production instead of after. Compared to traditional methods, solution dyeing reduces water consumption, energy use, and carbon dioxide emissions, and releases fewer chemicals overall. In addition to these environmental benefits, solution-dyed fabrics resist fading because the fiber’s pigment becomes intrinsic to it, rather than being dyed on the surface.

While Vissla has a supplier code of conduct, it does not partner with any third-party auditing or certification programs such as Fair Trade or Fair Labor Association. Its code of conduct alone does not meet our criteria for responsible manufacturing.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

Vissla has taken significant steps toward reducing its packaging impact by partnering with Vela to replace single-use plastic poly bags with paper-based packaging made from 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paper, which is curbside recyclable.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

Vissla operates a repair shop where customers can send wetsuits that need repair, regardless of warranty status. Vissla charges a fee for non-warranty repairs.

Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption. Some brands offer comprehensive repair programs that can fix a wide range of issues, while others have more limited capabilities. If a brand's warranty policy only covers replacement, rather than repair, these programs usually do not meet this criterion.

Vissla offers a “Stoke Exchange” wetsuit recycling program in collaboration with Suga, which repurposes old wetsuits into yoga mats. Surfers can send their retired wetsuits to Suga’s facility, where they are processed for reuse rather than ending up in landfills.

Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation for longer and out of landfills. The most common form is a trade-in program, where consumers can exchange items for store credit, which is then resold. Some brands accept products back for recycling at the end of their life, thereby reducing waste. Occasionally, some do both.

We do not know if Vissla tracks its greenhouse gas emissions. The company has not published emissions reduction targets or released any data regarding carbon footprint tracking. We reached out for more information but did not receive a response.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

Vissla provides some sustainability information on its website, sharing details about material choices, production processes, and environmental initiatives. However, it does not produce an annual impact report with more specific data and progress reports.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.