Earth-friendly limestone wetsuits by Matuse
By Mike Davidson
Encinitas, CA
Following a meeting with Yamamoto Rubber in November of 2005, John Campbell, his father John, and friend Matt Larson started Matuse, a San Diego wetsuit and apparel company. According to Campbell, the opportunity to work with Yamamoto has allowed them to market the highest quality wetsuits available with the least environmental impact possible.
Traditionally, wetsuits have been made from petroleum based, neoprene materials. Matuse wetsuits are made with geoprene; a Yamamoto material made from 99.7% limestone. Over time, decomposing sea creatures have amassed an abundance of this calcium-carbonate substance on the ocean floor near the coast of Japan.
Aside from the environmental advantages of their products, Campbell asserts that a Matuse wetsuit provides superior warmth, greater flexibility, faster drying, and with proper care should last twice as long as conventional wetsuits.
In keeping with their goals to minimize impact to the environment, Matuse is currently working with Yamamoto to establish a recycling procedure for their wetsuits at replacement time.