Greenwave Plant-Based Jersey: The Lining That Won't Slow Down Your Wetsuit
Yamamoto neoprene may be the best on the market, but if the jersey that covers it has poor elongation, the final result is limited. Here's the story of Greenwave jersey and why it makes a difference.
What is a jersey in a wetsuit
The jersey is the fabric that covers the neoprene inside and out. It serves three functions: it protects the neoprene from wear and tear due to friction, it makes it easier to put on and take off the wetsuit, and it largely determines the total elongation of the ensemble. A flexible neoprene with a rigid jersey is still a rigid wetsuit.
The problem with conventional jersey
Most wetsuits — even high-end ones — use standard nylon jersey with an elongation of 200 to 320%. This means that when you extend your arm to the maximum in a paddle stroke, the jersey stops the movement before the neoprene reaches its limit. It's the braking effect: the material limits your range of motion, not your muscles.
The Greenwave jersey: plant-based and 500%
The Greenwave jersey used by Kuhane has two distinctive characteristics:
- Plant-based: made from renewable sources, with a lower carbon footprint than conventional nylon.
- 500% multidirectional elongation: stretches in all directions without restrictions, following the body's movement exactly.
Elongation comparison
| Material | Elongation | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard nylon | 200–250% | Entry-level wetsuits |
| Premium nylon | 280–320% | Mid-to-high-end wetsuits |
| Greenwave plant-based | 500% | Kuhane wetsuits |
In addition, Greenwave has double the tensile strength of standard nylon (6.0 cN/dtex vs 3.5 cN/dtex), which means greater durability without sacrificing flexibility.
Why Kuhane uses Greenwave
The Yamamoto #40 + Greenwave jersey combination is what allows a Kuhane wetsuit to feel like a second skin from the first session. There's no resistance zone, no braking effect, no wetsuit fatigue — only surf fatigue.
Frequently asked questions
Does Greenwave jersey require special care? No. The same care as neoprene: cold water, shade, no wringing.
Does it wear out faster than conventional jersey? No. Its greater tensile strength makes it more durable in high-friction areas such as elbows and knees.
What does it look like? Greenwave jersey has a soft feel and is slightly different from nylon. In Kuhane Grey models, it's the jersey of the upper panel — the one that identifies the Yamamoto #40 zone.