How Neoprene Is Stitched

ArticleJanuary 19, 2012

Neoprene was invented by DuPont® in 1930, and neoprene wetsuits, shoes, gloves, and hoods have been keeping boaters warm for years. The manufacturing process for neoprene used in these garments makes millions of tiny gas bubbles in the material that interfere with the transfer of heat through it.

By itself, this neoprene isn’t very rugged, so usually woven fabrics are glued over it for protection. Wetsuits and other neoprene boating apparel work best by fitting snugly, thus minimizing the amount of water that can get inside the garment. And you don’t want water being exchanged in and out because it will carry body heat with it.

So, how the garments are stitched makes a difference in how well they perform. Here are the basic stitching methods used for constructing neoprene boating apparel:

Single-Needle Stitch

This is the simplest type of stitch and is typically only found on thin neoprene gloves. It isn’t waterproof, and it makes a bulge on the inside of the garment. Garments have to be designed to avoid this stitch in pressure-point areas.

Single-needle stich inside of the Guide Glove — Single-needle stitch, showing the inside of the Guide Glove.

Flat-Lock Stitch

In this stitch, the edges of the neoprene are butted or overlapped together, and two or four needles punch all the way through the material to make a flat, interlocking thread pattern that is very strong and comfortable against the skin. The many holes created do allow considerable water penetration. The “mauser” stitch used on some garments is a type of flat-lock stitch.

Flat-lock stitch shown on a shirt — Flat-lock stitch, shown on Youth HydroSilk Shirt.

Blind-Stitch

Here, the edges of the material are first glued together. Then a special sewing machine with a curved needle stitches the seam, with the needle only penetrating the face fabric on one side of the material. This very strong, watertight seam is more expensive and is found on top-quality items. 3 mm thick neoprene is the practical minimum material thickness for this stitch.

Glued blind-stitch on Reactor Rescue Glove. — Glued blind-stitch on the Reactor Rescue Glove.

Seems on Maverick Glove. — Seams on the Maverick Glove, where the stitching is covered with waterproof LiquidSeam sealant.

Other Considerations

Any stitch type can be waterproofed by taping over the seams. The two types of taping are fabric tape and the new, innovative LiquidSeam™ seal. Products like Catalyst Gloves, Wetsocks, Boundary Socks, Sandal Socks and Farmer Bill Wetsuits use fabric tape, while items like Maverick Gloves and Maxim Gloves are LiquidSeam sealed.

Neoprene garments are an important part of boaters’ comfort and safety systems. NRS works hard to keep innovating new technologies and improving neoprene performance.