Yamamoto began producing wetsuits in 1961, offering the first wetsuit material in Japan that combined both high functionality and flexibility at a time when wetsuits were primarily composed of the heavy and stiff rubber used in tires. Early customers included Japan’s Defense Agency and the famous female oyster divers of Japan’s fishing industry. These customers sought a wetsuit that allowed for greater mobility underwater, improved heat retention and a better wearing experience. A unique rubber material was developed and patented to resolve these problems. Japanese Neoprene is the worlds best.

Yamamoto is limestone-baseD 'Geoprene'

Yamamoto is the only rubber accepted into the medical profession and this is due to the environmental aspects of its production. Using calcium carbonate foam is much cleaner and more eco-friendly because it does not use petroleum as the important resource, instead it recycles used car tyres. During processing a compound is used to match the neoprene and it is processed at 0.5 centigrade. This process causes the limestone to make an acetylene gas which then, by polymerization, liquefies to the burnt rubber and then dries into rubber chips. Essentially car tyres are being recycled and bonded to limestone to create the neoprene sheets which are then cut and sewn into our wetsuits. Heat used for processing and producing the raw materials is 1/10th of that being used for refining the petroleum-based equivalent neoprene which most use. The source of the heat used in the factory is from burning used tyres within a controlled environment, made possible using electricity derived from Hydroelectricity. The way Yamamoto convert the limestone to neoprene is considered one of the most environmentally clean routes in relation to how the product is generally made.

Yamamoto neoprene is not derived from petrochemicals in any way, it is from limestone taken from the mountains within Japan in the same way concrete is made. By utilizing hydroelectric power the greenhouse gases are kept to an absolute minimum and by recycling the heat for farming the production process is as conservative as possible.

This new product instantly gained recognition worldwide, particularly among serious practitioners of marine sports such as deep-sea divers and triathletes. The material is currently used in more than 70% of the world’s high quality wetsuit brands. The heat retention, low resistance and flexibility of our wetsuit materials are particularly well-suited to the rigors of triathlon competition & surfing. 

Chariots of the Sun employ thee  Yamamoto patented
S.C.S. (Super Composite Skin) 
Material developed specifically for top-flight international athletic competitors featuring a special coating applied over our patented closed-cell neoprene rubber. 

Boasting Superior qualities:

Ultra-low resistance
The specially processed coating of our S.C.S. material results in a micellar surface that repels water when in contact with air and exhibits hydrophilic properties when underwater. This unique dual functionality results in an astounding resistance coefficient of 0.021 when wet (compared to 4.0 for conventional neoprene wetsuits) and 0.035 when dry (compared to 5.0 for conventional neoprene wetsuits).

 Superior moldability and enhanced comfort
The body fit is optimized with the superior moldability. This provides enhanced comfort and further reduces water resistance while also allowing for an unprecedented range of movement while swimming, surfing or diving. The expansion ratio of the materials is 7 times greater than that of conventional wetsuit materials and the difference is apparent even before you get in the water through the ease in wearing the suit.

High heat retention
Due to the superior heat retention the body is kept warmer, decreasing body fatigue and improving performance boasting heat retention properties that are 40% greater than conventional neoprene wetsuits.

Light Weight
Due to their water-repellant properties, our S.C.S. materials do not absorb water, avoiding the extra weight of water-logged suits that can hold you back and force you to expel precious additional energy. 

High Durability
Our S.C.S. materials are durable allowing for a longer product life as well as enhanced performance throughout the product life.