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What is the difference between neoprene and scuba foam rubber

Neoprene vs. Scuba Foam Rubber Koozies

Image intended to identify construction differences, not thickness

What is scuba and what is neoprene. The terms have been confused for some time now. Scuba is a term commonly used to describe the foam rubber backing and polyester outer covering on koozies. The thing you may think of when you hear the word scuba is a wetsuit. Neoprene is the material the wetsuit is made from. They are not the same.

When it comes to koozies, cozys, coolies, huggies, etc. etc. the most common material they are made from is scuba foam rubber. Scuba is a more economical material which in turn makes the koozie cost less. There are different types of scuba foam. The product we carry for our can and bottle koozies is approximately a 3.5 mm high density foam rubber. Some products that come from overseas are a much lighter weight scuba (low density, more air, less material) and they are not nearly as durable or insulating. We have used different sources over the years and have settled on a overseas source that consistently offers a higher quality scuba foam.

The neoprene koozies are made from the same material that a wetsuit is made from. It is a more durable, more flexible, better insulating product. The neoprene koozies we offer are 3 mm neoprene. They are also more expensive.

The quick and easy way to determine if a koozie (or other product) is neoprene or scuba foam is by the stitching. When made a scuba foam koozie is typically sewn with a straight stitch on the inside of the product and turned inside out where the stitching doesn't show. When the neoprene product is sewn, it is typically butt edge and sewn with a matching (or contrasting) thread color with a ZIG ZAG stitch on the outside of the product where the stitching is visible.