Why Neoprene is the best material for Baby Swimwear

What is Neoprene?

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber material widely used in wetsuits. Its popularity amongst swimmers, young and old, stems from exceptional insulating qualities and remarkable durability, making it an ideal choice for baby swimwear since Splash About's founding in 2005.

Neoprene's unique cellular structure creates microscopic air bubbles throughout the material, providing natural buoyancy whilst maintaining flexibility across a wide temperature range. This makes it an excellent choice for keeping babies comfortable, warm and safe during swimming sessions.

Benefits of Neoprene for Baby Swimwear

Superior Insulation

Neoprene's primary benefit lies in its exceptional thermal properties. The material regulates your baby's core body temperature by trapping a thin layer of water against the skin, which then warms from body heat. This crucial feature extends pool time, allowing babies to fully enjoy their water experience without becoming cold too quickly.

Naturally Buoyant

The microscopic air bubbles within neoprene make it lighter, more flexible and naturally buoyant compared to other rubber materials. Whilst neoprene provides gentle buoyancy, it is important to note that baby wetsuits are not flotation devices and adult supervision is required at all times when children are in or near water.

Incredibly Durable

Neoprene's natural toughness ranks among its greatest strengths. The material maintains flexibility across varying temperatures whilst resisting damage from chlorine, saltwater, sun and sand. This durability ensures Splash About's neoprene products remain in excellent condition through repeated use, providing outstanding value for money.

Latex-Free and Skin-Safe

Latex can irritate sensitive skin, limiting swimwear choices for many babies. Neoprene provides an excellent alternative for any baby with allergies or delicate skin. Splash About uses incredibly soft neoprene that feels rubber-like and spongy, ensuring your baby's skin stays comfortable during swimming.

Chlorine and Saltwater Resistant

Unlike traditional swimwear fabrics that degrade quickly, neoprene resists chemical damage from chlorinated pools and saltwater, maintaining its shape and protective elasticity through countless swimming sessions.

UPF 50+ Sun Protection

Neoprene naturally provides excellent UV protection, shielding delicate baby skin from harmful sun rays. All Splash About neoprene products offer UPF 50+ protection on the areas that are covered. Remember to apply sun cream to exposed skin on the face, hands and feet.

Neoprene Thickness Guide

Splash About uses two primary neoprene thicknesses in baby swimwear, each designed for specific purposes:

1mm Neoprene

Used in the Happy Nappy™ and Happy Nappy™ Wetsuit, this super-soft thickness provides a comfortable fit without restriction, core body temperature regulation, and integrated faecal leak protection. Perfect for indoor pools and warmer outdoor swimming.

2mm Neoprene

Featured in the Baby Wrap™, this thicker neoprene offers maximum core body warmth with unrestricted arm and leg movement. The easy flat-opening design suits wriggly babies, and its non-slip surface ensures safe handling. Ideal for cooler water and active swimmers.

Neoprene vs Other Swimwear Materials

Whilst several materials feature in swimwear, key differences make neoprene superior for baby thermal protection:

Feature	Neoprene	Polyester	TPU/Fleece
Warmth	Excellent thermal insulation	Minimal warmth	Maximum (fleece-lined)
Durability	Highly resistant to chlorine/salt	Degrades faster	Good durability
Buoyancy	Naturally buoyant	No buoyancy	Slight buoyancy
Sun Protection	UPF 50+	Requires treatment	UPF 50+
Flexibility	Maintains stretch in all temperatures	Can become stiff	Very flexible
Fit	Snug, form-fitting	Loose	Loose, adjustable
Best Use	Cold water, extended sessions	Warm water, brief swims	Coldest water, maximum warmth

Feature

Warmth

Neoprene

Excellent thermal insulation

Polyester

Minimal warmth

TPU/Fleece

Maximum (fleece-lined)

Feature

Durability

Neoprene

Highly resistant to chlorine/salt

Polyester

Degrades faster

TPU/Fleece

Good durability

Feature

Buoyancy

Neoprene

Naturally buoyant

Polyester

No buoyancy

TPU/Fleece

Slight buoyancy

Feature

Sun Protection

Neoprene

UPF 50+

Polyester

Requires treatment

TPU/Fleece

UPF 50+

Feature

Flexibility

Neoprene

Maintains stretch in all temperatures

Polyester

Can become stiff

TPU/Fleece

Very flexible

Feature

Fit

Neoprene

Snug, form-fitting

Polyester

Loose

TPU/Fleece

Loose, adjustable

Feature

Best Use

Neoprene

Cold water, extended sessions

Polyester

Warm water, brief swims

TPU/Fleece

Coldest water, maximum warmth

For babies requiring absolute maximum warmth, consider Splash About's Warm In One™ TPU fleece-lined suits that work like traditional neoprene whilst offering even greater insulation.

Splash About's Neoprene Products

Happy Nappy™ Wetsuit

The award-winning Happy Nappy™ Wetsuit combines warmth with leak protection in one convenient solution. This 2-in-1 design features 1mm super-soft neoprene construction, integrated Happy Nappy™ for faecal leak protection, 3/4 length sleeves leaving hands free to play, and UPF 50+ sun protection. Trusted by 90% of UK swim schools, it's perfect for swimming lessons, beach holidays and pool play.

Learn More

Top tip: The Happy Nappy™ Wetsuit can be worn alone or paired with Nappy Wraps and Liners for double-nappy systems required by some swim schools.

Baby Wrap™

For active, wriggly babies who need core warmth without restriction, the Baby Wrap™ offers the perfect solution. Featuring 2mm neoprene for maximum core temperature control, it opens completely flat for stress-free dressing with adjustable velcro fastenings that accommodate growth. Arms and legs remain free for natural movement, whilst the non-slip surface ensures secure handling. Requires a separate Happy Nappy™ underneath.

Learn More

Happy Nappy™

Whilst not a wetsuit, the original Happy Nappy™ utilises 1mm neoprene for reliable faecal leak protection. The soft neoprene creates specialist waist and thigh ribs that form secure seals without leaving red marks, making it a trusted reusable swim nappy since 2005.

Learn More

Caring for Neoprene Swimwear

Proper care ensures your neoprene products maintain their shape, flexibility and protective qualities through countless swimming sessions.

After Each Swim, rinse immediately with cool or tepid water inside and out to remove chlorine and saltwater. Gently squeeze out water; never wring or twist.
Deep Cleaning: Soak in cool water for 20 minutes with mild soap such as baby shampoo or specialist wetsuit shampoo. Scrub gently with a soft sponge, paying attention to soiled areas. Rinse thoroughly.
Drying: Hang on a reinforced hanger inside-out first, then flip to dry the outside. Keep away from direct sunlight. Store in a cool, dry place once completely dry.
Warning: Never machine-wash neoprene wetsuits. High temperatures will damage the material's flexibility and protective properties. Machine washing soiled nappies is acceptable at 30° with non-biological detergent, though frequent machine washing may reduce product longevity.
Removing Odours: Soak for up to an hour with mild soap, scrub affected areas thoroughly, and ensure complete drying before storage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Neoprene

Is neoprene safe for babies?

Yes. Neoprene is considered safe for babies because it feels soft against delicate skin without chafing, provides thermal insulation for comfortable swimming, is latex-free, and moves with your baby without restriction. All Splash About neoprene products are manufactured to the highest safety standards, with many earning prestigious awards from Mother & Baby Awards, Made for Mums and First Time Mums UK.

Is neoprene expensive?

Splash About's neoprene products offer exceptional value considering years of repeated use, no need for disposable swim nappies, the 2-in-1 wetsuit and nappy combination, and maintained quality through countless sessions. When compared to the ongoing cost of disposable swim nappies and replacing degraded swimwear, neoprene products provide outstanding long-term value.

Is neoprene breathable?

Neoprene is not considered breathable in the traditional sense due to its closed-cell structure. However, this same structure provides crucial benefits for swimming: natural buoyancy, superior insulation, water resistance, and durability. For swimming purposes, neoprene's qualities work advantageously, keeping babies warm whilst allowing complete freedom of movement in water.

Is neoprene windproof?

Yes. Neoprene's resilient structure provides excellent protection against wind, making it ideal for British beach holidays, outdoor pools on breezy days, transition time between the pool and the changing room, and garden paddling pools. Combined with resistance to salt, sand, sun and rain, neoprene offers reliable all-weather protection for year-round swimming enjoyment.

Does neoprene stretch or shrink?

Neoprene excels at retaining its original shape and size when cared for properly. To maintain fit, wash only in cool or tepid water, dry on a sturdy hanger, store away from heat sources, and avoid folding or creasing when storing. With proper care, your Splash About neoprene products will fit consistently throughout their lifespan.

Why Parents Choose Splash About's Neoprene Products

Since 2005, Splash About has pioneered neoprene baby swimwear, earning recognition as the leading manufacturer of specialist swimming products for children. Our commitment to quality, safety and innovation has resulted in:

90% UK swim school endorsement for Happy Nappy™ products
Made for Mums Gold Winner 2024 for Best Swimwear Collection
Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award 2025 for outstanding customer service

First Time Mums UK Best Baby & Children's Swimwear May 2024

Every Splash About neoprene product undergoes rigorous testing and development to ensure it meets the highest standards for baby safety, comfort and performance.

Lesley Beach

Group Managing Director

Lesley leads the award-winning company Splash About, which develops groundbreaking swimming products for babies and children. Under her leadership, Splash About has expanded and refined its innovative range, including the first float jacket and the award-winning Happy Nappy™ products, becoming a world-class supplier to thousands of swim schools, leisure complexes, and parents in over 45 countries.