Responsibility without Compromise
At Zone3, performance comes first, but responsibility is part of how we design, build and operate as a business.
We create equipment that’s used in demanding conditions, over long distances and at high intensity. That requires advanced materials, specialist manufacturing and rigorous quality standards. We’re realistic about the impact that brings, and committed to making better choices wherever we can, without compromising the performance athletes rely on.
Responsibility for us isn’t a campaign or a claim. It’s a series of practical decisions, made consistently, across product design, materials, manufacturing and how we run the business.
Designed to Last is Designed Responsibly
The most effective way to reduce impact is to design products that last.
Longevity reduces replacement, waste and unnecessary consumption. That’s why durability, fit and long-term performance are central to our design process, not seasonal trends or short product cycles.
Better performance over time is better responsibility. Always.
Materials: Progress through Performance-led Innovation
Materials innovation continues to evolve, and we actively adopt better options where they meet our standards.
Across a significant proportion of the Zone3 collection, we now use recycled fabrics and alternative material solutions, selected because they meet our performance standards first and foremost. These materials are tested, validated and applied where they deliver the same durability, flexibility and comfort athletes expect.
This includes the increasing use of recycled yarns and fabrics across much of our triwear and swimwear range, chosen for compression, moisture management and longevity, not simply for their origin.
Not every product uses the same materials, and that’s intentional. Performance demands vary, and responsibility only counts when the product still performs exactly as it should.
Performance-led Material Innovation: Yulex® and B-Prene
Some materials represent a more fundamental shift in how performance products are made.
Yulex® natural rubber is used across selected wetsuits and swimwear as a plant-based alternative to traditional neoprene. We adopted it where it delivers the warmth, flexibility and durability required for cold-water use, while reducing reliance on petroleum-based materials. Its use is deliberate, applied where performance is fully maintained.
B-Prene reflects the next stage of wetsuit material development. Introduced in key wetsuit styles, it is designed to match the stretch, buoyancy and resilience athletes expect, while allowing for improved end-of-life impact compared to traditional alternatives. As with all materials we adopt, its use follows extensive testing and validation in real conditions.
These materials aren’t universal solutions, and we don’t treat them as such. They are part of an evolving approach to material choice, guided by performance first and responsibility alongside it.
Measured Progress, not Marketing Promises
We’re careful about what we claim, but confident in the direction we’re moving.
That’s why we’re working towards B Corp certification, as an independent framework to measure and improve our impact across governance, people, community and the environment. It’s not about being “finished”, it’s about accountability, transparency and continual improvement.
We see this as a natural extension of how Zone3 already operates: performance-driven, considered and responsible by design.
Community & Environment
Responsibility also means supporting the environments and communities our sport depends on.
We partner with Surfers Against Sewage, supporting their work through regular beach clean initiatives. These are practical actions, carried out locally, that reflect our connection to open water and the places our athletes train and compete.
It’s not about large statements, it’s about showing up, contributing consistently, and supporting organisations that are making tangible change on the ground.
Manufacturing & Partnerships
Zone3 products are made through specialist manufacturing partners with the expertise required to produce high-performance swim and triathlon equipment.
We work closely with these partners to:
- Improve material efficiency and patterning
- Reduce unnecessary waste in production
- Maintain consistent quality, safety and working standards
Long-term relationships allow us to make incremental improvements that stick, rather than surface-level changes that look good but achieve little.
Packaging, Logistics and Business Practices
Responsibility extends beyond the product itself.
Across the business, we continue to:
- Reduce excess packaging
- Increase the use of recyclable materials
- Improve efficiency across logistics and distribution
We focus on practical changes that reduce impact, rather than relying on offsetting or abstract schemes that don’t address root causes.
Looking Ahead
Responsibility isn’t a destination. It’s a process.
As materials improve, manufacturing methods evolve and better alternatives become available, we’ll continue to adapt, carefully, critically and with athlete experience at the centre of every decision.
Progress matters.
So does honesty.
Designed to perform. Built to last. Developed responsibly.
