Implementations described and claimed herein provide an implantable lead optimized for an implant environment and methods of manufacturing such implantable leads. The implantable lead includes an insulation layer having one or more transitions along a length of the insulation layer from a proximal end to a distal end. Each of the transitions is a seamless change from a section of the insulation layer having a set of performance characteristics to another section of the insulation layer having a different set of performance characteristics.
