One reason they add metal to neoprene was for reflective warmth... a problem that is not common for triathletes. Another reason is for color.

So, the reason "metal" (and I use that term very loosely) is being added is so that it reduces drag. I have a 3 plus year old Piel made from that material (I believe it's called SCS coating) and I wouldn't say there is an appreciable and noticeable difference in reducing drag.

Now, if the producers of wetsuits want to do something new.. (I believe DeSoto alluded to doing something radically new with the T1 about a year ago - but, no one seems to know what that is... including me), they would be making a wetsuit of the 3-DIS material.

Basicly, (as best I can tell) it is a neoprene that doesn't feel tight. And yet, it still holds it's bouyance without compression. It uses an iron polymer ("metal?"). I am not sure, but that is probably not what was meant by your original post when you mentioned wetsuit material with "metal". On the otherhand, it could be... in which case, if they used 3-DIS, they would be using a NEW MATERIAL for wetsuits.

FWIW Joe Moya