Neoprene has been used in all sorts of duck hunting and fishing equipment for a variety of reasons. Browning used it in a waterfowl shotgun sling specifically for comfort. As you walk, especially through marshy areas, your body moves up and down. The neoprene pad on this sling will absorb the shock from this motion, allowing the gun to comfortably "bounce" a short distance as you make your way to the boat or blind.