Fourth Element OceanPositive

This popular dive gear company from the U.K. produces a broad range of sustainable swimwear and is well-known for a commitment to ocean conservation.

Products tested:

• Light coverage: Thresher bikini
• Medium coverage: Mako bikini & Harlequin swimsuit
• Full coverage: Long-sleeve Hydroskin and Hydro Leggings

What makes OceanPositive swimwear great for divers?

• Broad range of swimwear styles for all shapes, sizes and preferences
• Wrist loops prevent Hydroskin sleeves from bunching up when donning your wetsuit
• Lightweight, quick drying materials
• Affordable options for all budgets

What are the products made from?

• ECONYL, a recycled nylon made from recovered ghost nets and other ocean wastes.

 Sun protection and degradation resistance

• Chlorine, heat and sunscreen resistant
• UPF50+ sun protection 

How did the products perform?

All of the products were true to size and didn’t pinch anywhere despite not having adjustable straps/sizes.

Of all the swimwear brands tested, the OceanPositive products were the quickest to dry between dives, even in the shade, making them ideal for multi-dive days.

While the Thresher bikini offers a sleek and minimal design, the removable padded cups and racer-back straps were still supportive.For fuller coverage, I recommend the Mako bikini and swimsuit. The Mako bikini top clasp and the swimsuit straps were a bit fussy, but they have one big advantage — you can tie the swimwear onto a liveaboard rail for drying without worrying they’ll blow away.

How is Fourth Element supporting ocean conservation?

• Constantly reviewing old products to add more sustainable fabrics
• Working closely with Reef World International and Global Ghost Gear Initiative
• Regularly helping with beach clean ups and retrieving ghost fishing nets
• Working to environmental standards that minimize the use of harmful chemicals
• Using biodegradable packaging 

SlipIns 

Robin Chesnie and Rick Rickman created SlipIns because of Chesnie’s struggles getting in and out of thick wetsuits. Seeing many other women struggling in the same way, she came up with products that make it easy to get in and out of our wetsuits.

Products tested

• AquaMermaid Swimsuit
• Whale Shark DiveSkin

What makes SlipIns swimwear great for divers?

• Material has plenty of stretch for comfort and easy movement in the water
• Foot stirrups and thumb holes keep the suit in place when putting your wetsuit on
• The one-piece DiveSkins provide protection against abrasions and stinging ocean critters

What are the products made from?

• Nylon, polyester and Spandex

Sun protection and degradation resistance

• UPF 60+ rating and full-body sun protection

How did the products perform?

Admittedly, I was self-conscious about being dressed as a whale shark on a boat full of guys but I felt fabulous from the moment I put the DiveSkin on.

The material is unbelievably silky and lightweight. Both the DiveSkin and swimsuit are also extremely flattering and stretchy. As well as being perfect under a wetsuit, the products were great for snorkeling and for covering up in the sun.

How is SlipIns supporting ocean conservation?

• SlipIns eliminate the need for sunscreen during water sports, thanks to a full range of high-coverage swimwear for men and women
• Helping to minimize harmful chemicals entering the ocean by decreasing our use of sunscreens

Gemma Lee

Founded by ocean-loving Kiwi and fashion graduate Gemma Lee, this eco-conscious surf and dive label really stands out from the crowd with its vibrant swimwear and wetsuits.

Products tested

• Retro Tides 2mm Springsuit

What makes Gemma Lee wetsuits great for divers?

• Vibrant colors and limited-edition designs
• Ideal for underwater photography subjects
• Flat-locked stitched seams for extra comfort in the water
• Lightweight suits offer flexible layering for warm- and cool-water dives
• Front zippers make it easy to wear and remove the suits

What are the products made from?

• Eco-conscious 2mm limestone-based neoprene
• All nylon features are made from recycled PET bottles.

Sun protection and degradation resistance

• High sun protection from neoprene wetsuit coverage

How did the product perform?

The vibrant patterns on Gemma Lee suits add a great pop of color to your dive kit. At 2mm, the Springsuit is thin enough to easily wear under a wetsuit but is also suitable for and tropical diving on its own.

Personally, I loved the suit for extra warmth when snorkeling. It didn’t restrict my movements in any way, even when going up and down dive platform ladders.

The fit was true to size and the low rise cut on the hips is ideal for coverage over a bikini. It’s a great lightweight suit for travel when you’re tight on luggage allowance but want a warm layer that fits like a glove.

How is Gemma Lee supporting ocean conservation?

Gemma Lee has taken numerous steps to ensure her products are sustainable, ethical and eco-conscious, including:

• Yarn made of PET bottles
• Using limestone-based neoprene instead of petroleum-based neoprene
• Gemma Lee’s textile supplier does not use hazardous chemicals in the dyes
• The dyeing process uses 80 percent less water than standard dyeing techniques

Ocean Mimic 

Ocean Mimic is a charity and global movement empowering individuals to reduce the amount of plastic entering the oceans. As part of their mission, Ocean Mimic has created recycled swimwear inspired by the creatures they aim to protect.

Products tested

• Parrotfish bodysuit

What makes Ocean Mimic bodysuits great for divers?

• Variety of ocean-themed designs, from parrotfish and clownfish to whale sharks
• Soft and breathable fabric with two-way stretch and unrestricted movement
• Lightweight and versatile for dive travel
• Thicker panels front and back for coverage without need for a swimsuit underneath

What are the products made from?

• Made from 100 percent recycled material: 78 percent recycled ECONYL yarn; 22 percent Elastane

Sun protection and degradation resistance

• UPF 50 sun protection
• Chlorine, sunscreen and saltwater resistant

How did the product perform?

The high neck and low-rise hip design provided great sun protection and the suit was very comfortable (and warm) under a wetsuit.

I really liked the thicker fabric panels at the front and back of the suit for modesty. You could easily wear this suit without a bikini underneath. The suit sizes are quite small and less stretchy than other suits I tried, so go up a size for comfort.

The sleeves stayed in place perfectly under my wetsuit, despite having no thumb loops, and the zipper is built to last.

How is Ocean Mimic supporting ocean conservation?

• Organizing beach clean-ups
• Educating local children about why plastic is a problem and providing solutions to plastic pollution
• For every $10 you spend with Ocean Mimic, the charity pledges to pick up 1 kg (2.2 pounds) of waste
• Product packaging is entirely recyclable and plastic-free

Waterlust

Waterlust began as an experimental project by ocean science graduates and has evolved into a popular dive-clothing brand supporting ocean science and conservation initiatives.

Products tested

• Whale Shark Warrior leggings and reversible top

What makes Waterlust leggings and tops great for divers?

• Seamless, reversible top with no tags
• Good mid-level support and moisture wicking: ideal for diving, yoga, swimming, etc.
• Resilient 4-way stretch and shape retention
• Customizable legging lengths
• Internal front waistband leggings pocket
• Deep side pockets for other essentials

What are the products made from?

• Repreve, a material made from post-consumer plastic bottles

Sun protection and degradation resistance

• 100 percent chlorine, sun, saltwater and sunscreen resistant
• UPF 50+ sun protection

How did the products perform?

Waterlust leggings are thicker than other dive leggings and add plenty of warmth when diving and snorkeling. I found the fabric took a while to dry because of its thickness but the product versatility made up for that.

Designed for use in numerous sports, the leggings and top fit closely and the high waist was secure and comfortable. It was easy to fold the waistband over for a lower waist if preferred.

The deep pockets on the leggings are great for safely storing essentials. You can wear the leggings long or easily pull them up just under the knees.

Top tip: Keep the legs long for wearing comfortably over your feet with closed-heel fins.

How is Waterlust supporting ocean conservation?

• 100 percent recycled and recyclable packaging
• Mailer bags are made from 100 percent post-consumer material and dual-adhesive strips mean you can reuse the bags
• Partnering with researchers and educators on ocean conservation work and sharing their findings online
• Donating 10 percent of profits to support ocean conservation and research initiatives

Batoko

Batoko, a small, fun swimwear brand in the U.k. creates swimsuits that are bold, flattering and eye-catching.

Products tested

• Orca swimsuit

What makes Batoko swimwear great for divers?

• Classic shape and great coverage
• They’re fully lined, so no see-through swimwear when diving
• Great bust support without cups or wiring
• Work for a variety of body heights and shapes, making them ideal for active pursuits
• Batoko produces matching adult and kids swimwear for the whole dive family

What are the products made from?

• 100 percent recycled plastic (polyester)
• Vegan-friendly products

Sun protection and degradation resistance

• Not tested for sun protection, but polyester has a high resistance to UV radiation and the fabric is tightly woven
• Polyester is very resistant to chlorine

How did the products perform?

I couldn’t stop smiling when wearing the orca swimsuit. The suits are great fun and offer unique designs. The material was very soft and yet thick, with support that withstood multiple dives.

I recommend buying a smaller size than usual for these suits if you’re petite, as I found the straps tended to slip off my shoulders.

How is Batoko supporting ocean conservation?

• Recycling the equivalent weight of 300,000 plastic bottles into swimwear so far
• Workplace powered by renewable energy
• Vegan supply chain
• Donating a proportion of their annual profits to the Marine Conservation Society UK
• Participating in reforestation projects to offset their carbon
• Plastic-free packaging and eco-conscious swimwear printing processes

Shapes in the Sand

Born from a desire to help restore the environment and represent the diversity of women, Shapes in the Sand produces a broad range of sustainable on-trend swimwear for all.

Products tested

• Mystic Wrap Over crop
• Mystic mid-rise V-Pant
• Mystic cropped rash guard

What makes Shapes in the Sand swimwear great for divers?

• Broad range of mix-and-match swimwear separates are ideal for dive holidays
• Variety of coverage and support options for all body shapes
• Seasonal collections support ocean conservationists
• Made of EVO, which dries 50 percent faster than standard polyamide
• Thermal-isolation fabric protects you from temperature variations

What are the products made from?

• ECONYL yarn
• EVO, a yarn made from castor bean oil

Sun protection and degradation resistance

• UPF 50+
• Chlorine resistant

How did the products perform?

The patterned fabric and embellishments on the ties made Shapes in the Sand fashionable and yet functional when diving.

The black Mystic cropped rash guard is an eye-catching change from standard length rash guards and offered plenty of warmth despite being cropped. The rash guard looked great with the bikini bottoms and didn’t ride up at all

Despite being a wrap-over design with a low-cut front, the Mystic crop provided plenty of support and kept everything in place in the water. If you have a large bust, try a different style, however, as the cup size is relatively small.

Ties at the back of the bikini top made it easy to dry on a rail when liveaboard diving.

How is Shapes in the Sand supporting ocean conservation?

• Using EVO, which is a totally renewable resource that requires little water and has no food-chain impacts
• Local printing method does not use water or any harsh chemicals
• Fabric remnants become accessories such as head wraps
• Packaging and labels are recycled and sustainably sourced, down to the swimwear tags and care labels
• Partnering with ocean conservation initiatives

Kathryn Curzon, a shark conservationist and dive travel writer wrote this article. Follow her adventures at www.kathryncurzon.com

 All images courtesy of the author unless otherwise noted.

The post Seven Sustainable Swimwear Brands for Divers appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

A shark bath bomb ($2.75 or $6)

We adore these scary-cute bath bombs that come in a variety of scents, from black raspberry vanilla to winter princess. (We have no idea what a winter princess smells like, but she must smell delicious to a shark.) Though these bath bombs are marketed for kids, any diver would relish the chance to share a tub with such a “scary” shark. Note: Since each bath bomb is handcrafted, some may float and some may not. Either way, you can still hold up the shark from underneath for some bloody bath art. Bath bombs are reasonably priced, but you can reduce the cost by purchasing one of their imperfect “Oops Shark Bath Bombs.” They may have a broken nose, crack, or discoloration, but work the same.

 $2.75 & up for Oops Shark Bath Bomb | $6 for a perfect shark, both from Soft Skins Bubbly Sins

Mermaid bottle opener 

This antique-reproduction mermaid bottle opener, cast in iron with a patina of rust, makes for a beautiful conversation piece. You’ll need to flip the mermaid face down in order to open a bottle, but you don’t need to tell your buddies that since it’s fun watching them struggle. (You can also see who figured this trick out and who didn’t by looking at the product comments online.)

$8.75 from Moby Dick on Amazon

Reef-friendly mask defog

Finally, an eco-friendly alternative to spit. This defog is professional strength, yet biodegradable and reef-friendly unlike other products we’ve tested — even most baby shampoos aren’t reef safe. Plus, the company is owned by a scuba diver.

$8.95 from Stream2Sea

Miniature pewter key chains

We are in absolute geek-love with these marine-animal key chains, which are accurately reproduced from nature, and then painstakingly hand-carved and cast in pewter. Our favorites are the hammerhead shark, humpback whale, and octopus, with its hundreds of suckers lovingly detailed on the reverse side.

$11.75 for the octopus and the whale| $12.75 for the shark all from Tcustom

Undercurrent subscription

Despite its old-school design, this nonprofit publication created by divers for divers offers an online site and a newsletter packed with information. Undercurrent has been around since 1975 and includes unbiased reviews and dive-trip reports from around the world, destination guides, a seasonal dive planner, and loads of helpful articles. They’ll also offer a full refund if you don’t like the subscription.

$17.95 for a 6-month subscription

Personalized BCD name tag

We’re enamored by these embroidered BCD name tags from a diver-owned small business. In addition to personalizing the tag with your name, you can choose from 15 different thread colors and one of seven styles. (We particularly like the shark, octopus, and whale-tale designs.) Then you can wrap the tags around any part of your BCD with the Velcro closure.

$19.99 from Northshore Laie Point

LEGO diving yacht/DIY Christmas ornaments

“This awesome luxury diving yacht features a sundeck, removable roof, turning searchlight and storage/sleeping space inside, plus a seafloor scene with seaweed and an opening treasure chest with a gem. This fun toy boat set also includes a dive flag buoy, two LEGO diver minifigures, and swordfish and crab figures.” Not only is this a fun set to display (we stumbled on a similar set in someone’s office), but it makes for fantastic DIY Christmas ornaments. Ours hang from thin ribbons, but you can also tie them on with fishing line so they float in the tree.

$19.99 from LEGO

Ocean lovers mug

“And into the ocean I go, to lose my mind & find my soul” has to be the best diver’s mantra we’ve ever heard. This ceramic mug is dishwasher- and microwave-safe and comes in a variety of colors. Though we originally bought it as a gift, we loved it so much we decided to keep it for ourselves.

$21.95 from Zolo Gifts

Shark bite slippers       

These cozy slippers are not only warm and comfortable, but adorable, because who wouldn’t want a cute shark munching on their ankles?! Though they only come in one size, it’s is fairly generous so the slippers will fit most women’s feet and some men’s.

$23.99 from Cosnew

Mermaid and merman ornaments

Sold in a variety of naughty and nice versions, we’re particularly captivated by these three ornaments—“Navy Soul,” “Fresh Catch,” and “Santa Baby II Mermaid Christmas.” All the mermaid and mermen are hand-painted and include fun accents such as glitter and rhinestones.

$32.99 from December Diamonds

Wrap skirt

This water-shedding, quick-wrap skirt turned into our favorite piece of clothing this year. Sold in three lengths and 16 cute prints, the skirt is easily adjustable with its Velcro tabs, so you can wear it higher or lower on your waist. It doesn’t cling and remains cool and light. It’s also wrinkle-free and takes up little space in a suitcase. But we love most that it’s flattering and dries quickly, making it the perfect post-dive wrap.

$38 short | $42 medium | $49 long all from Rip Skirt Hawaii

Octopus plushie

This octopus plushie is huge, utterly gorgeous, and perfect for snuggling up next to since this octopus can’t swim away. Vivid colors make it particularly striking and we love how its tentacles can wrap around objects and us.

$39.90 from Wednesday Bus

Eco-friendly phone case

Sleek, durable, and plastic-free, these cases help protect your phone and the planet since they’re compostable. We love their limited-edition turtle and whale designs, and, as a bonus, a percentage of the sales go to charities working to protect our oceans.

When you no longer need the phone case, you can place it in your backyard compost or compost bin (assuming your town accepts compostable bioplastics). Otherwise, you can return the case and they’ll recycle it into another generation of products, giving you a 20% discount off your next order.

$42.95 turtle phone case and whale phone case both from Pela

Custom cylinder cover

We’ve tried a variety of cylinder covers and never found one we liked. Neoprene sleeves add buoyancy, and paint, mesh nets, and stickers don’t seem to last, so we were thrilled to discover an alternative that worked. These covers include a waterproof design layer and a separate plastic sleeve coating, which you use to shrink wrap your design onto your cylinder with a hairdryer. They’re easy to apply and don’t impede inspection stickers and hydro-testing stamps. When your cylinder needs to be serviced or inspected, you can cut off the plastic sleeve. Your purchase also comes with a second plastic sleeve so you can refit the design after your cylinder has passed inspection.

The company offers a huge variety of fantastic designs. Two of our favorites (Guinness and Minions) are shown above. The company is based in the U.K. but will ship to the US for £10.98 ($14.45*).

Note: It’s critical that you follow their instructions exactly when applying the design to ensure a long-lasting application.

£34.99 ($46.04*) from Scuba Cool *The conversion rate to US dollars was accurate at the time of writing.

Outdoor mermaid sculpture

This distinctive outdoor sculpture is perfect for any diver’s pool or garden. Neither too large nor too small, this sculpture flaunts a muted verdigris finish, which has the look of aged copper with golden highlights.

$49.99 from Design Toscano

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Shark teeth

It’s exciting to see shark teeth on the sea floor where apex predators have commonly shed them during the course of natural replacement. Divers frequently see teeth in locations such as the Bat Islands in Costa Rica or Sodwana Bay in South Africa. Depending on various factors such as age, diet and seasonal change, as well as the species of shark, teeth may fall out as quickly as one row per 8 to 10 days.

Unfortunately, the shark-tooth trade has been lucrative business for some time. Dealers frequently fetch up to $100 USD per tooth. Sellers can get considerably more for species such as the great white or the extinct megalodon, sometimes up to $100,000 USD for an intact jaw. It is no surprise then that sharks are sometimes killed soley for the purpose of selling their teeth for fashion trends or memorabilia. Perhaps most shocking is that many aquariums that promote shark protection have been known to sell teeth in vast quantities in their gift shops.

Given the precarious state of world shark populations, there is no reason purchase shark teeth and continue to contribute to demand. By all means search the seafloor for these wonderful trinkets, but remember the potential cost of purchasing shark teeth and the critical importance of sharks to the oceans before you buy anything.

Coral jewelry

One of the most pressing marine-conservation issues of our time is the preservation of our coral reefs. Therefore, it seems simple to comprehend that purchasing coral jewelery will undoubtedly contribute to the degradation of this precious ecosystem.

While harvesting coral is not the main contributor to reef destruction — in fact it’s fairly insubstantial compared to bleaching, dynamite fishing and other destructive activities — it seems foolish to purchase jewelery that is obviously harming the environment. Furthermore, coral is a living organism, and therefore the ethics behind its trade is dubious.

Not all corals are threatened, yet highly lucrative species such as red, pink and black corals have plummeted by over 60 percent in the last century due to dredging techniques that destroy large portions of the seafloor.

Seashells

Millions of people have shells in their homes, collected from the shore or purchased in a shop. While attractive, these beautiful ornaments are also an inappropriate souvenir. We must consider that these shells provide homes for many ocean creatures, whether as part of nesting habitat for sea birds, or structural support for seagrass, algae and other microorganisms, or as shelter for crustaceans such as hermit crabs.

While it may seem that there are billions of shells in the sea, a recent study that completed 30 years of research found that the seashells on many European beaches have decreased by 60 percent over the last 30 years.

We cannot prevent everyone from collecting shells, but as divers, we must not contribute to their depletion. In terms of sharks’ teeth, corals and seashells, the best souvenir is a picture.

The post Ocean Souvenirs to Avoid appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

Eco-friendly conversation pieces

These environmentally-friendly leggings from Waterlust look like tiger-shark skin thanks to a process that uses no water and minimizes waste. In addition, they’re made from 14 percent Lycra and 86 percent recycled polyester, which uses 10 post-consumer plastic bottles for each pair of leggings. With a 50+ Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), 4-way stretch, and quick-dry technology, these leggings remain comfortable and protective. They also make a great conversation starter since 10 percent of the profits go to the Shark Research and Conservation Program at the University of Miami. We also love the sailfish leggings pictured in the title photo above, also made from the same eco-friendly material.

A warm dive skin

Nothing’s better than basic black when it’s a warm Lavacore dive skin. Made with their exclusive Polytherm Tri-Laminate, it has “windproof and breathable providing anti-wind chill properties while also drawing moisture away from the body on the surface, ensuring warmth in cold conditions.”

Anti-bacterial inner fleece, UPF 50+ protection, and 4-way stretch ensure both comfort and protection. Lavacore’s Polytherm suits come in four different styles.

A three-piece dive skin suit

We adore the flexibility of these cute sets from Light in the Box, which come with a long-sleeve top, a pair of shorts, and a pair of leggings in either pink and blue or pink and gray. You can wear each as separates or wear all three as an ensemble. Made out of quick-dry, nylon material and rated with 50+ UPF protection, these stylish pieces together form a darling dive skin suit.

Leggings made to be worn anywhere

O’Neill’s Hybrid line touts a “multi-purpose collection created to wear anywhere, made from fabric that is water friendly, fast drying, moisture wicking, and super comfortable.” You can also pair these Hybrid Beaumont leggings with a bikini top made from the same pattern or the high neck top shown above with the multi strap back. 

A colorful, custom dive skin

While their customers rave about the company’s workmanship, it’s the 49 uniquely colorful fabrics you can choose from Running Funky  that will draw all eyes. Made to fit your size and height, you can also customize this fun dive skin, made of heavy-duty 80/20 nylon spandex, with a front or back zipper. Your dive buddy will never have trouble spotting you again in the water.

Famously unique dive skins

If you’ve encountered someone on a boat with a dive skin made to look like a whale shark or one detailed with chain mail (both shown here), you’ve probably seen one of the unique dive skins offered by SlipIns made in the USA for men and women. The skins are made of a combination of nylon, polyester, and spandex rated with 60+ UPF sun protection. Some divers even buy a larger size to wear the skins over their wetsuits to show off the designs. 

A dive skin made from recycled ghost nets

These gorgeous OceanPositive Hydro leggings from Fourth Element are made from recycled ghost nets (i.e., fishing nets that have been lost in the ocean by fishermen, and might have otherwise killed marine life). The 4-way stretch Lycra is made of 78 percent recycled nylon from fishing nets and offers UPF 50+ protection. Further, the company is trying to reduce plastic packaging and suits arrive in bags made from cassava starch. The pattern on the leggings is a “nod back to the garment’s origins depicting merged images of fishing nets and water reflections.” Pair the leggings with the OceanPositive Hydro long-sleeve top as shown. 

Creatively printed leggings

With such a wide range of beautiful and quirky prints from Scuba Diving Addicts, you’ll have a tough time choosing which ones to buy. Made in the USA with a polyester/Lycra blend, the leggings utilize a 4-way stretch material sewn together with a thread color that matches the design. The company’s reasonable prices mean you can buy a few different styles to suit your mood. 

Handmade custom pieces of art

Lovingly handmade by a sister team of divers, these wearable pieces of art from Sewgnar incorporate original fabric designs inspired by marine creatures from flamingo tongue snails to cuthona yamasui nudibranchs (both pictured). Since all items are made to order in the USA, the dive sisters happily customize the garments if a standard size is not ideal for you. Made of 4-way stretch Lycra, the pieces are reasonably priced. You can also add matching scuba socks to your order.

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