Born Slippy develops wetsuit with micro-chamber insulation

Born Slippy, a technical watersports brand, has introduced the Aptus 1.0, a made-to-measure wetsuit developed in collaboration with British big-wave surfer Andrew Cotton. The suit uses an engineered micro-chamber insulation structure instead of conventional fleece linings, aiming to improve thermal performance without adding bulk.

It combines Japanese Yamamoto limestone-based neoprene with the insulation construction, which is incorporated into the torso panels to balance warmth, flexibility and fit for cold-water surfing. The micro-chamber structure is designed to retain warmth around the chest and back while avoiding the additional layers associated with traditional thermal linings.

The suit also features glued, blindstitched and triple-taped seams to limit water ingress and improve durability. Another key feature is its individual sizing process: each wetsuit is made to order using 26 body measurements to create a personalised pattern. This approach aims to minimise gaps between the suit and the wearer’s body, as excess space can allow cold water to circulate and reduce insulation effectiveness.