Recycled nylon has become the default fabric claim for swimwear brands over the last five years. Most of it is made from reclaimed fishing nets or post-industrial nylon waste, which is genuinely better than virgin nylon in terms of carbon footprint. But the fabric quality varies considerably, and the word 'recycled' on a label tells you almost nothing about how the piece will fit, hold its shape, or last through a season of real use.

What the certifications actually mean

The most common certification you will see is ECONYL, which is a brand name for regenerated nylon made by an Italian company called Aquafil. ECONYL is a real standard with a traceable supply chain. If a brand says their fabric is ECONYL-certified, that is a meaningful claim. If they say 'recycled nylon' without a certification, it may still be good fabric, but you cannot verify the source. At Mind Vault Tech Wave, the swimwear fabric is sourced from a mill outside Bergamo that uses ECONYL yarn. We ask for the certification documentation with every order.

Fabric weight and what it means for fit

Swimwear nylon is measured in grams per square metre. Most swimwear sits between 180 and 230 gsm. Lighter fabrics (under 190 gsm) feel softer and move more freely but offer less support and can become slightly transparent when wet. Heavier fabrics (over 210 gsm) hold their shape better and provide more coverage. The Riviera Bikini Set and the Hayama One-Piece both use a 210 gsm fabric, which is why they hold their structure after a swim without feeling stiff.

Elastane ratio and stretch recovery

Most swimwear nylon is blended with elastane (also called spandex or Lycra) to give it stretch. The typical ratio is 78-80% nylon to 20-22% elastane. A higher elastane content gives more stretch but can degrade faster with repeated chlorine exposure. A lower elastane content is more durable but less forgiving in fit. The 78/22 blend we use is a standard that balances both. After chlorine testing, our fabric retains its stretch recovery at over 90% after fifty wash cycles.

How to care for recycled nylon swimwear

Rinse in cold fresh water after every swim, especially after salt water or chlorine. Do not wring. Lay flat to dry in shade. Machine washing is fine on a delicate cycle in a mesh bag, but hand washing extends the life of the elastane. Do not tumble dry. The heat breaks down the elastane faster than anything else. A piece that is rinsed and dried properly after each use should last three to five seasons without significant degradation.

What to ask before you buy

Ask the brand: what is the fabric weight? What is the elastane ratio? Is the recycled content certified? How was it chlorine-tested? A brand that can answer these questions specifically is one that has thought about the fabric. A brand that says 'premium recycled nylon' without further detail probably cannot answer them. We publish our fabric specifications on every product page because we think that information should be easy to find.

Recycled nylon is a good choice for swimwear when the fabric is well-made and well-specified. The certification, the weight, and the elastane ratio all matter. If you have questions about the fabrics in the current collection, write to us at us.