Men's R2 Yulex Regulator Front-Zip Full Wetsuit vs Men's Yulex Regulator Lite Long John Wetsuit: which is safer?

These two grade almost identically. Pick on price and preference; neither has a PFAS edge.

Patagonia Men's R2 Yulex Regulator Front-Zip Full Wetsuit

Patagonia

Men's R2 Yulex Regulator Front-Zip Full Wetsuit

PFAS grade

Excellent 90/100

Overall grade

Good 68/100

Verdict

Buy with care

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

Yulex (synthetic rubber), neoprene-free base

Confidence

72%

PossibleFormaldehyde-releasing resins (glues/seams)

LikelyMicroplastics shedding from outer shell

Patagonia Men's Yulex Regulator Lite Long John Wetsuit

Patagonia

Men's Yulex Regulator Lite Long John Wetsuit

PFAS grade

Excellent 90/100

Overall grade

Good 68/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Yulex (synthetic rubber), neoprene-free alternative

Confidence

72%

PossibleFormaldehyde resins in seam tape or elastic trim

PossibleAzo dyes in color application

PossibleAluminum or heavy metal accelerators in rubber vulcanization

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Formaldehyde-releasing resins (glues/seams) and Microplastics shedding from outer shell on the Patagonia and not on the Patagonia.
  • We flag Formaldehyde resins in seam tape or elastic trim, Azo dyes in color application, Aluminum or heavy metal accelerators in rubber vulcanization and Microplastic shedding during use and washing on the Patagonia and not on the Patagonia.
  • The Patagonia is Yulex (synthetic rubber), neoprene-free base where the Patagonia is Yulex (synthetic rubber), neoprene-free alternative, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.

Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More wetsuits, see the full ranking