it's a pretty debatable claim- patagonia already has an 80% non-petroleum wetsuit that uses wool. the wool (which is a totally renewable resource) allows to have the same warmth as a suit that uses twice as much rubber.

when you factor in the fact that both patagonia and body glove are not manufactured domestically and most of their sales are domestic, the necessary petroleum use for shipping wetsuits outweigh whether or not a comparitive 10% is petroleum based. personally, I'd say choosing using to use more rapidly renewable materials than others is more environmentally friendly.

I'm sure parts of the wetsuit uses petroleum, (glues, seam sealing.. etc.)

But, it's worth noting that this wetsuit retails for almost $200 less than Patagonia.

I say it's better to do something than nothing, especially since body glove's wetsuit is something someone can actually afford.

That bad-ass looking guy is Bruce Irons, who is, in fact, Bad-ass.

the "actually afford" comment is one I've heard alot and find funny.

body glove's suit has a one year warranty- patagonia's is two. a typical surfer goes through a wetsuit every year, basically because they're designed to last the warranty. wearing one suit for $450 for two years is not only cheaper than wearing two $250 suits, but it's better for the environment since it uses half the resources.

I think that the whole one wetsuit will last you 1 year thing is a bunch of bull. I have been using the same wetsuit for the past 12 years, and I surf everyday. Properly taken care of a wetsuit can last you a long time. Being lazy, or not finding out how to take care of your wetsuit can cost you a lot of money. How many wetsuits have you guys gone through in the past 12 years? Something to think about huh?

CH