Bought a 3/2 Comp X this winter. This was the first Xcel I've had in years, after using predominately Quiksilver and Oneill suits. First up, the best fitting wetsuit I have had, period. The Oneill and Quik wetsuits didn't come close. More flex and warmth than the Quik, slight more warmth than my last Oneill. Moving forward I think these are the wetsuits for me
Surf n Show Reviews Noel so the infinity is the best you’ve ever used? I’m in Florida and I usually use a O’Neill hyperfreak 3/2 but was looking for a good backup suit under $300
Had my medium 4/3 drylock x for a year and a half now. I fit the medium specs perfectly. living in queenstown new zealand so mainly wakesurfing and once a month surf trip to the coast. Super comfy and super warm. I am always the last to get cold when im surfing with my mates who are wearing other branded suits. However after about 13 months of use (just outside of the warranty) I noticed 5 main junction points where the seems met that were tearing apart. These points were front and back left and right both sides where the chest/back panel meets the shoulder panel. The fifth spot was at the base of my back where the seam weld meets the smoothie. After another 4 moths i noticed the welds around the bum and legs (quads region) area cracking and even opening a small hole. Lastly the stitching around the neck entry has half unthreaded. Bit if a love hate relationship with this suit and considering the price i paid expected it to last a lot longer.
Thanks Noel! I appreciate the fact that you go straight to the source with your product reviews, and don't just rehash their marketing. Another point here is personal tolerance for cold... I live in OBX, NC and wear 4/3 in the mid 40s and 3/2 in mid 50s (varies with weather/wind). Our beach break setup means a lot of paddling to get out and find/catch waves. (note, while we have the same barber, I've got more body fat @ 5'10 175)
I surf drylock boots, comp x gloves and a comp x - 5.5/4.5 full suit and I couldn't ask for more. The first time I wore my new suit, I was too hot. My boots are a year old and if I dry them before a surf they don't even let water in. keep it up Xcel!
I’ve wore a lot of suits. Xcel are by far the best I’ve ever tried. That Drylock is a beast. Wearing the infinity comp spring suit right now and it’s like a second skin. Super flexible. My main winter suit is a 3/2 Revolt X2 TDC. Stayed snug all winter. Drylock would have been too hot on several days.
I am a body surfer/hand planer in Venice, Calif. I have an Xcel 4/3 comp x and it is fantastic ! As a body surfer I need a really good wetsuit because I am submerged in the cold water and my Xcel comp x 4/3 just rocks ! So flexible you feel like a super hero, and really warm. The flexibility along with great warmth i really makes it great for serious body surfers and hand planers.
Solid review again Noel. I have both the 3/2 Comp X and 4/3 Drylock X. Couldn’t be happier wearing both wetsuits. The Comp X is the best fitting suit I’ve owned. The flexibility is unreal and the warmth is good for summer mornings. It’s not warm enough for the winter unless there is a strong swell. The 4/3 Drylock X is the only suit I’ll wear in the winter. At first I felt it was too warm and too heavy but that’s because I was previously wearing the 3/2 Comp X which I couldn’t stay warm in during this flat winter. The Drylock X is definitely my favorite winter wetsuit to date because of how warm it keeps you. My only question is, I wonder if the 3/2 Drylock X would be a better fit if the waves were pumping and not the 4/3. Either way Xcel has the best fitting suits along with the best quality and flexibility. Historically I’ve bought rip curl suits at the outlet now I can’t go back once owning top of the line suits by Xcel. Worth every penny.... the Drylock split toe booties deserve some credit too. I would only recommend a split toe though because I had a difficult time finding a comfortable fit with the round toe.
Drylock X leaks, rashes and is much harder to get in than the drylock. I had 2 drylocks & a comp S/S - hands down warmest suits and leak free seams for nearly 2 seasons. I've worn Rip Curl, QS & O'Neill and Xcel lasted the longest and was the warmest - if not the most flexible. The X however leaked on both panels of the stretchy neoprene - under the arms from day one - both sides and at the seam join and the worst is I get a evil rash on the back shoulder where the 5 seams join under a little reinforcement dot. I literally can wear the suit for one surf, then have to surf a few days in other suits while the skin heals. It’s a joke and not getting better with wear. I can see elsewhere near the dots the tape is already tearing after only about 6 surfs. So I had to buy a 2nd suit to alternate... the X paneling has changed - much more difficult to get in and out of so maybe that’s part of the problem but I suspect it’s just the material used on the dot, or some lumpy seam gluing. So tho the material feels nice, it's lightweight and more sustainably manufactured, I wish I'd bought another drylock instead of the X...
Noel, thanks again - been surfing the Revolt for a year, in a nutshell - not the most durable, yet toasty warm, insanely soooooooft, fits so well I forget I am wearing it. When it's super cold I add a 2mm short john under plus hood and booties. Warm, comfy, not as solid as the old jersey type and the sealing cuffs rip and the ankles rip, can be patched inside with the iron on patches. I catch more waves than my mates with this suit, thumbs up !
Hello Noel, Awesome review with Lance from Xcel. I personally love the Xcel Wetsuits.I have had three already and they are amazing. I live in Central California in the Monterey Bay where the water temps and wind are highly volatile. Water temps vary from 53 degrees up to 60 degrees year round. Having a 4/3 wetsuit with a hood and booties are a must. I personally use the 4/3 Infiniti Comp Wetsuit and the 4/3 TDC Drylock wetsuits and they have been killer for these conditions. They keep me warm throughout the cold conditions and are long lasting with proper clean water cleanses. I have tried other suits and they just don't hold up the same way the Xcel Wetsuits do up here. Super amped on the review, keep wearing Xcel guys!
Comp X look interesting, hemm. Used XCEL DRYLOCK, yes it's really warm. It's little bit heavy. But keep you warm. Great review Noel ! you are the best !
Noel - love the show and your reviews. stoked on what youre doing as ive made many of decisions based on your show! having surfed my whole life and worn just about every suit out there i will only where Xcel suits. fyi...
This years model TDC Comp is super warm super flexible!! Built like last years Dry lock, and cheaper!! Then there is the New Dry Lock...Totally the warmest in its class!! Was way to hot for me. I totally recommend Xcel as a great choice of wetsuit.
Xcel has been the longest lasting wetsuits ive owned, my oldest being the bamboo fibre drylock @ 5-6 years and only just sprung a leak in the crotch. Myself and a few others have found the later model drylock models have had issues with flushing through the over neck panels, the flaps where to shallow, im hoping they have fixed the issue in the new suits. Awesome wetties
Bought 2 Xcels and both let water in after about 5-8 sessions, not so stoked, had to use wetsuit cement to seal the seams again. Never happened to my Ribcurl e-bombs, they only wore out on the shoulders after 2 seasons.
Gunnar Moeller You should talk to the folks at Xcel and have those suits fixed or replaced. I had problems with my Rip Curl suits but they took care of me. I think problems happen but the manufacturers are pretty good about fixing the problems., Thanks for sharing your experiences though we appreciate it.
I swear by the Drylock X a really good suit and super warm as well as durable. I have not tried the comp x although I do have a 2mil shortsleeve full for summer. It's interesting how many of us also like the Rip Curls because these two brands fit me best. I am long torso and have never got on with the other major brands. I also found Rip Curls to fall apart much faster than Excels. Thanks for the review!
I ordered the MS comp based on the video and it was way too small for me. I am 5'8" 160 but the neck and chest were much too tight. Had to sell it and get a medium. If anyone out there is thinking MS I would go medium if your around 160. Excel makes a great wetsuit especially the Infinity 3/2 and 4/3.
iv been in 11c think thats 52 ish in my dry lock under water for hours its effing warm a little more restrictive than my o neil 4/3 movment wise but way warmer
I have had a hooded Xcel infiniti xzip2 since 2009, and am still using it. It is coming apart slightly at the tapes, but is still warm enough, but I have recently cut the neck with my key. 🤦♂️. However 10 years is pretty good going! I did spend 5 years of those years with very light use, but now am looking at getting a new wetsuit of similar quality. I cannot seem to find a Medium Tall in any of the shops in the UK, or online. I would like either the Drylock X or infiniti xzip2, but cannot find one in my size. 😕
i was told that excel was bought by hurley? but have had three generations of excel drylock , last one was flushing and just sucked, that was when some one told me they had been bought. so ventured into o neil psycho cheaper in price and just as warm as my last drylock. it has been three years since my last drylock maybe time to give excel another go. my local spot is jallama lots of wind cold water!!!
XCEL makes great wetsuits and ive worn a ton of em thru years always gonna be compromise between warmth and flexibility, i get cold really easily so ill suffer a bit in stretch.....but hey wetsuits are so good now, my 3/2 way back was more restrictive than any 4/3 of today.....and kudos to xcel. worn many brands over the years but have to say xcel was probably best wetsuit i ever owned......i just got oneill physco one and went back in water today for first time since 05 and i was cold....xcel drylock most likely my next suit!
Thanks for replying. Q.1 Was the wettie completely dry on the inside when you got out? Q.2 Was any part completely dry on the inside? Q.3 If so, which parts? Q.4 Did you have any wipeouts? Q.5 Did you feel any water come through the neck? Q.6 Do you know any wettie that doesn't let ANY water in through the neck in waves bigger than 3'?
1. All was wet when done surfing. 2. No 3. NA 4. I always have wipeouts... did not take water in through the neck. 5. Most full suits I have tested don’t let water in through the neck no matter how big the surf is. Occasionally when I fall strange I will get a water flush down the neck. Didn’t happen with these suits.... not to say it couldn’t but it didn’t while reviewing these suits.
I recently purchased a 2018 Drylock and 2019 Drylock X in MT (i'm 6' 168lb) and the 2018 Drylock is a waaaaaaaaay better fitting and much more comfortable suit. The X, i needed my wife to help me take off the suit. It was so tight fitting, it felt like i was be swallowed by a huge python. Returning the X.
Jody Castro Thanks for posting.... check out the Xcel Infiniti... lighter, and more flexible in the upper body. Still super warm too.... my Favorite 4/3mm to date.
@@surfnshowreviews7777 noel - do you think the drylock (x) is overkill for us here in so cal? was looking at the drylock and just saw your comment above on the infiniti!
Just bought the comp x. Way excited. I have always worn wetsuits that were a lil big and didn’t properly fit. I got a MT and the dudes said it was a perfect text book fit. Felt good once on, but was sort of a process getting on...lil tight at first. They said it would loosen up after a few uses and if I went any size bigger, it might let water in. Is that how all wetsuits are? Are they sort of tight at first? I’m hoping I didn’t get too small a size. I’m 5”11 and 155lbs, so it’s spot on with the sizing chart
Bought a hooded 5/4 drylock for winter sessions 1,5 year ago; fits great and is very flexible. However, after a year the warmth was almost halved. Cause of this was multiple small holes around the seams of the torso/shoulders. Anybody else had problems like these? Been using Xcel for 10 years now but i was really dissapointed with the durability this time around....
Yeah thanks but, unfortunately it was past warranty already. I have fixed it with some neoprene glue though. I also have the X-comp 4/3 btw. Awesome wetsuit indeed :) Hopefully it will last a few seasons!
Another great review Noel, coherent and consistent as always. I’m about to buy an XCEL wetsuit but divided between the Comp X and the Infiniti Ltd. Which one would you recommend in 2021? The Infiniti Ltd seems more advanced but I don’t want to compromise on flexibility. Thanks and keep up the excellent work/surfing!
The Comp X offers way more flexibility but not as warm as the Infiniti. I get cold pretty easy in a 4/3 so wearing the Comp X all winter I would need to wear booties and maybe a hood on Dawn Patrol sessions.
@@surfnshowreviews7777 Thanks Noel. I surf in Portugal mostly during winter, water temperature is not too bad (~50deg) but like you I tend to get cold. I want an all-round durable wetsuit and the Infiniti seems a better investment since it's a more recent suit/technology by XCEL, I presume it's still very flexible and lightweight though not as much as the CompX? My previous wetsuits were Billabong, much cheaper but I always felt constrained movement and coldness, the upgrade is long-overdue! Thanks for the expert tips.
How accurate are Xcel water temperature ratings for their wetsuits? For example would the Comp-X hooded 4.5/3.5 with a rating of 48-55 degree's be adequate in the Pacific Northwest, water temps are typically within that region. Or, would it be better to go with the 5.5/4.5 rated at 40-50 degrees? Also, considering the air temps can be quite a bit lower than the water temps at times, especially during the winter and early mornings.
Lynette Tucker Great question... I would go with the Dry Lock because I hate being cold. I wish I could answer your question intelligently but I have never surfed water colder than 56 degrees.
I use the Comp X 4.5 in Oregon down till about 52 degrees and can be out all day. When it starts dropping to the high 40's I usually can only stay out for 2 hours before I'm cold. I'm about to try a Dry Lock or another brand for the coldest days and see how it gooes.
why doesn't anyone talk about the neck construction. the neck is always the wetties' weakest point for letting water. It doesn't matter how good the material is if the neck lets in water.
Mick Joyce I would have talked about the neck letting water in if it had that problem. I experienced no water flushing in these suits through the neck, arms, or legs. Very warm suits.... especially the Drylock X. If you had problems with yours leaking in the neck area then thanks for posting your experience. Cheer
I have not tried the warmer suits from Rip Curl yet. I am starting up wetsuit reviews again this winter. At the moment my favorite warm suit is by Xcel. It’s the Comp X 4.5/3.5 built in hood. It’s warm and flexible
Do you know if the drylock x is primarily for surfing/scuba, or if it's a great suit for freediving? I talked with the representative at xcel, and they said only the suits with "dive" in the name are best suited for freediving. I plan to use the suit for spearfishing on the reefs in the Bahamas. Unfortunately I bought the thermoflex dive TDC 5/4 and the appropriate size (LT) just doesn't fit me well.
