Is neoprene superior to spandex? Or just different?

[Mermaid Galene]

I've gone through the tailmaking FAQs and threads, and I've learned a lot! One thing I haven't found is why neoprene seems to be considered a step up from spandex. Is it just because neoprene shows less leg outline? Or is it more hydrodynamic than fabric because it absorbs less water? Is it easier to sew or paint than spandex?

I am planning to make myself a second tail soon, and I don't really want silicone at this point. I love my spandex tail. It is quite tight with almost no wrinkles, but still comfortable. I love the variety of fabrics and iridescence you can get with spandex. OTOH, I get the impression that most mers consider neoprene a more professional tail material. I'm just not quite sure why! Can someone enlighten me?

[Echidna]

good question.
I believe it is slightly more hydrodynamic, although in a direct comparison of my spandex tails vs neoprene, I don't really notice a difference.

Neoprene is of course warmer and provides more protection (not sure with the thinner neoprene though, mine is around 2mm), but it has drawbacks as well:
it's much harder to put on and off than a fabric tail, it's difficult to sew, and I generally feel it's heavier and more constricting than fabric.

Maybe it has to do with painting, but I do paint my spandex tails, and they look fine imo.
(I try and put the least amount of paint or accessories on my tails for hygienic reasons;
I'm sure many materials people use for tails, especially paint, were not meant to be put into a chlorinated pool.)

[Mermaid Wesley]

I think it's mostly because it doesn't immediately read as fabric close up. It can be painted nicely and hides bumps and things better. It's also going to last longer :)


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[MerAnthony]

Is neoprene superior to spandex? Or just different? I would say both. I have both spandex an neoprene tails. What Caltuna says is true about keeping you warmer in water but the neoprene doesn't have as much stretch as spandex, but yet it is more durable. Now spandex has tons of colors an patterns to choose from but you are kinda limited to colors for neoprene. But that is why most people paint their neoprene tails. Neoprene can give you a slimmer look than spandex an it is more boyent in water. Mostly but when it comes to spandex or neoprene it is a matter of choice I would say. Hope this helps.

[Echidna]

it is more boyent in water.

ah yes, forgot about that.
that is a huge MINUS for all us uber-buoyant mers who need weight belts :p

one of the reasons why none of my performance tails are neoprene.
(for the sinkers among us, it's the other way around of course)

[Kishiko]

I would say it's longer lasting and helps smooth out leg lines. Spandex tails wear out pretty fast, whereas neoprene will last for years if you're lucky. Also, if you get metallic spandex the coating comes off right away if rubbed, but with neoprene you can use metallic paint that'll last you. Neoprene when painted looks more realistic, eve with the scale pattern spandex because it's just flat color with black outlines. It also helps hide (neoprene) monofin ridges, but spandex sucks flat to every bump and raised area. Hope that helps!

[Mermaid Galene]

Thanks for the input, everybody! It's all helpful. I will probably end up making a streamlined spandex tail and also a neoprene tail. Then I can do a direct comparison, and choose the tail that seems to work best for each gig. It might be nice to have a warmer, neoprene tail for swimming in Lake Superior. OTOH, I like the spandex for land gigs and for gigs where ease of transport and quick in/out are desirable. We plan to tour nationally with our band, Neptune's Keep, and we'll want to do our mermaid/pirate schtick, too, when we tour. So I want my tails to be easily packed and carried.

The one thing about neoprene that puts me off a little is its matte surface. To me that looks less realistic than a shiny spandex. It seems that many mers start with a painted neoprene tail, and then cover it up with sequins in order to get that shimmery quality. Of course, the sequins also add a 3 dimensional kind of realism, so maybe that's as much of a motivator as wanting a shiny tail.

Someday I will probably make a full silicone tail, especially if I can figure out how to put a zipper in it. But for now I just want beauty with convenience! My next step beyond spandex/neoprene will probably be to try a hybrid with silicone scales (I have a really unique design in mind for scales) on neoprene or fabric.

[Fifi Tigg]

What exactly is neoprene? I just want to clarify that I know neoprene to be wetsuit material, is there different variations of this material that would make it feel or look completely different?

[Mermaid Galene]

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber. It can take many forms from liquid all the way up to rock hard solid, depending on what other chemicals are added to it. To achieve rigid neoprene, stiffener chemicals are added to the liquid base. These chemicals are usually added by the maufacturer, so the user doesn't have to worry about it. You just buy whatever form of neoprene suits your purpose. Here's my neoprene supplier:

http://www.spartancompany.com/cl.htm

When I was making puppets I always chose the formula 501. Over the years there's been some fluctuation in the durability of 501, but back in the day, I could throw one of my rigid neoprene puppet heads against the wall and it wouldn't break! Here's another of my puppets:

20722

You can see how smooth the cast is and how nicely it takes detail from a plaster mold.