Alpkit, a UK-based outdoor brand and certified B Corp, has always championed the ethos of "going nice places and doing good things." Recognizing the environmental impact of traditional neoprene wetsuits, they sought a more sustainable alternative without compromising performance.
In 2025, Alpkit introduced YULEX® 2.0 into their outdoor swimming range, offering a plant-based alternative to neoprene. This natural rubber is sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified forests, ensuring responsible management and biodiversity preservation.
The new YULEX® 2.0 material boasts enhanced flexibility, allowing Alpkit to design swimwear that doesn't compromise on performance. The Tarka shorty wetsuit and Straven insulated swimsuit are tailored for open water swimmers, providing warmth and freedom of movement.
Alpkit made deliberate choices in their design process, opting to forgo certain hydrodynamic coatings like Super Composite Skin (SCS) that, while beneficial for performance, involve silicone or fluorinated compounds with higher environmental costs. This decision underscores their commitment to reducing ecological impact.
The new YULEX® 2.0 material boasts enhanced flexibility, allowing Alpkit to design swimwear that doesn't compromise on performance. The Tarka shorty wetsuit and Straven insulated swimsuit are tailored for open water swimmers, providing warmth and freedom of movement.
