Shield Steamer from Prolimit with reinforced areas

Downhill wing foiling? Not quite, but when paired with a helmet and protective vest, the Shield Steamer offers maximum protection (light gray = protected areas).

Review: Shield Steamer from Prolimit

Wetsuits for foilers with reinforced areas

For the past year, Prolimit has been offering wetsuits for foilers that feature specially reinforced zones. In the 2025 collection, these suits are neoprene-free. Instead - as with all Prolimit wetsuits - they use Natureprene, a bio-based material derived from rubber trees.

Prolimit offers a 5/4 and a 4/3 version of the Shield Steamer. We tested the 4/3 version of the wetsuit.

What do “reinforced zones” mean? For one thing, there is a reinforced area on the right shoulder that is rubberized on the outside, designed to provide padding when carrying the board on your shoulder with the foil attached. The rubber coating protects the laminated material from abrasion.

The padding is sewn into the inside of the suit and is designed to prevent the front edge of the mast from pressing uncomfortably against the collarbone. The material in this area is approximately twice as thick as in the surrounding area. This reduces the pressure when wearing the foil, much like wearing a neoprene hood underneath. On the water, you don’t feel the partial reinforcement at all.

The Shield Steamer in action during wing foiling

Shoulder pad: The board is easy to carry on the shoulder (top left and bottom right); when surfacing (protective hand position), the forearms are protected (bottom left), as are the knees and shins (top right)

The knees, shins, and the undersides of the forearms are specially reinforced with cut-resistant fabric and feature extra-thick padding. This provides excellent protection during accidental underwater contact with the foil, as well as when holding both arms above your head - a position you should always adopt when surfacing after a fall. The reinforced areas feel sturdy without restricting freedom of movement

When combined with a helmet and a protective vest, you’re well-equipped to handle any accidental contact with the equipment. While this isn’t comparable to the protective gear worn by downhill mountain bikers, for example, it’s actually the most practical protection available for foilers on the water.

The reinforced areas of the wetsuit: rubber coating, lamination, and increased material thickness in different zones

When putting it on and taking it off, you’ll notice that the cuffs on the sleeves and legs don’t stretch as easily as those on regular suits without reinforced areas. Still, it’s easy to get in and out. Similar to neoprene, Natureprene also has a strong odor at first. The material properties when worn are the same: the comfort, mobility, and thermal performance of the Natureprene suit are good

The suit is available as the Shield Steamer Free-X 5/4 GBS for EUR 399, or in the 4/3 version for EUR 369, and is designed for all foil sports. At Prolimit, “Free-X” stands for “front zip,” while “GBS” refers to the seam construction (glued and blind-stitched).

You can find details about the wetsuit and the materials at Prolimit at:

Shield Steamer Free-X 4/3
Shield Steamer Free-X 5/4