The thermoplastic elastomers in Figure include copolyesters, copolystyrenes, polyurethanes, and others. They often are blends between small amounts of thermoplast and fractions of rubber elastomer and can be extruded. The stiffer ones are mainly based on thermoplastic polyurethane and are primarily used in biomedical applications, for instance, as tubing. The remaining share of TPEs with E < 50 MPa exhibit elastic moduli similar to traditional elastomers, yet the latter span a larger range of fracture energies Γ = 1-100 kJ/m 2 . As such, the portrayed elastomers include natural rubbers (unfilled and filled), perfluoro, nitrile, polysulfide, silicon elastomers, among others. Elastomers have been applied in a myriad of components, such as rubber seals, gaskets, cable sheathing, (cable) insulation, O-rings, complex molds, gloves, car tires, hoses, etc. Most elastomers are hydrophobic, which makes them resistant to water, however, they can be prone to swelling with organic solvents, oils or other petrol-based contaminants. This could open up new opportunities for tough water-born hydrogels, which can reach similar elasticities, elastic moduli, and fracture energies, yet may be more resistant to organic contaminants on account of their hydrophilic nature. In enviroments were traditional elastomer parts have to be replaced on a periodical basis, such hydrophilic tough and elastic hydrogels could be employed for long-term usage if their water content can be retained over time. In an ideal case, such hydrogel-based seals would reject solvents and therefore behave like inert and isolating materials. In line with this, such tough hydrogel coatings could be of interest in environments where it is desired to keep moisture around and contain (high) amounts of water. This could be of interest as coatings for moisture regulating surfaces in construction but also in closed environments, such as storage tanks or containers.