Meet Mystic’s most planet-friendly wetsuit yet! In this Tech Focus feature, Timon Staal, Mystic’s Lead Wetsuit Designer, takes us inside the Evolve, an innovative suit crafted with renewable, recycled, and responsibly sourced materials, all while delivering high-performance comfort and flexibility. Discover what makes the Evolve a true step forward. Read more here!

Hi Timon, great to meet you! Take us through the Evolve. What makes it Mystic’s most eco-conscious wetsuit yet?

The Evolve is Mystic’s most eco-conscious wetsuit to date, thanks to a brand-new laminate made entirely from lower-impact materials. It features a foam with the highest biobased content on the market, 90% in its base ingredient and 79% USDA-certified, and linings made from recycled and dope-dyed polyester yarns. It’s a major step forward in combining sustainability with high-end performance.

Can you explain what “biobased materials” means in the context of this suit?

Biobased materials are made from renewable resources, ingredients that come from nature and can regenerate over time, like natural rubber or sugarcane. It’s a shift away from conventional foams made from petroleum or limestone, which rely on non-renewable and often polluting extraction methods.

You’ve swapped fossil fuels for ingredients like oyster shells and sugarcane. How do these materials perform in the water?

Surprisingly well. Natural Foam performs on par with premium neoprene when it comes to stretch, warmth, and durability. It’s flexible, soft, and lightweight. Offering a top-tier experience without relying on fossil fuels.

How does natural rubber compare to traditional neoprene in terms of stretch and durability?

Natural rubber foams used to fall short in stretch. That was our biggest concern. But with the Evolve, we’ve developed a material that delivers impressive elasticity and bounce-back, matching high-performance neoprene while offering a lower impact on the planet.

Was there any performance trade-off when going greener?

Developing the new laminate came with challenges, especially bonding the foam and linings while keeping the stretch intact. High-performance sustainable materials are harder to source and often more expensive. But we’re proud of where we landed: a suit that balances performance, sustainability, and accessibility without compromise.

How does the Fox Fleece compare to other inner linings out there?

Our Fox Fleece combines recycled polyester with dope-dyed yarns, which require less water and energy during production. After a softening treatment, it becomes incredibly flexible and comfortable, perfect for trapping warmth while maintaining a soft hand feel.

What kind of zip system does the Evolve use, and why did you choose it?

We use a front-zip design, which is the industry standard for a reason. It balances performance and comfort, works well across different watersports, and suits the majority of riders out there.

What’s one feature on the Evolve that people often overlook, but you think is a must-have?

Our new Aquaflush 2.0 system. It’s an industry first, a one-way drainage feature that allows water to exit the suit, but prevents any from flowing back in. It’s subtle but makes a big difference in how comfortable the suit feels during and after a session.

Is the suit quick to dry? That’s always a big one for riders who get in multiple times a day…

Yes, the dry time is consistent with our other suits. While the Evolve doesn’t use specific quick-dry linings, its low-pile interior fabric absorbs minimal water, helping it dry faster than you’d expect. No need to worry about getting into a soggy suit for your next session.

What’s your favourite thing about riding in the Evolve?

For me, it’s the stretch. That used to be the main downside of natural-ingredient foams; they just didn’t perform. But this one does. It moves with you, feels light in the water, and finally delivers the performance riders expect from a top-end suit.

Amazing, thanks so much, Timon!

Thanks, Jen!

 

Videos

The Evolve Is Out Now | Our Lowest Impact Wetsuit Yet | Mystic
Mystic Tech Talk | The Evolve wetsuit
By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.