My Winter Wetsuit – Xcel 6/5mm – For Cold Ice Water
The Xcel 6/5mm Infiniti wetsuit is my cold water surfing wetsuit. While I am not the world’s greatest surfer I do get out there in gnarly conditions and I do know when I am warm. As a Great Lakes paddler/surfer this is an important wetsuit for me.
Xcel is a popular wetsuit brand here in the Great Lakes and for good reason. Great Lake surfers quickly become experts on cold water wetsuits and staying warm in extreme conditions. Xcel makes a fine cold water surfing wetsuit, maybe the best cold water wetsuit available. I haven’t tested them all but I have really worked this Xcel 6/5mm and know how warm it is.
The 6/5 Xcel Infiniti is rated down to 38 degrees. I have taken it down to 32 degrees and stayed warm. Everyone has a different tolerance to cold, I am just offering my experience. This is a mid-range Xcel wetsuit and not the best cold water wetsuit you can buy, but it is a darn good winter wetsuit. Let’s look at the major features that I like.
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Features
100 % UltraStretch neoprene
Made with softer foam and a tighter weave textile this suit is lightweight and comfortable. Plenty of stretch. Mine fits like a second skin and is very flexible and comfortable. For a 6/5mm I am impressed. The used fewer neoprene panels which means fewer seams to let water in. Fewer panels also improves the fit and flexibility.
Sealed and Taped Seams – Less Seams & Better Seams
Maximum water seal and durability with sealed and taped seams. Xcel uses as few seams are possible in this wetsuit. Good quality seams will keep out water and improve durability, but all seams will reduce mobility to some degree.
The hood actually has sealed and taped seams which some might say is overkill but reflects the Xcel attention to detail. The hood is 3mm with a chin guard and visor, plus it’s all smoothskin.
Neck and Ankle Seals that actually keep water out
Important.
Large smoothskin panels on the chest and back. The hood is all smoothskin
Conditions are usually windy here and these large smoothskin panels on the chest, back and hood help stop the wind and repel water. This would be a great SUP wetsuit.
Thermo Dry Celliant inner lining – More heat with less thickness
TDC “smart fiber” is the warmest lining Xcel has ever made. TDC supposedly recycles your bodies own infrared heat. Infrared heat is produced by the sun and even our own bodies. These infrared waves heat objects, not the air. That’s why a mountain climber can stay warm at high altitudes when the sun is shining. The air is cold but the sun’s infrared rays keep mountaineers warm. Xcel got all scientific and that’s good because TDC must work well. This wetsuit is very warm in, literally, the coldest water possible. Ice water.
There are TDC panels on the front torso and back. Using TDC in only these two spots keeps this wetsuit light. For the warmth provided this is lightweight 6/5 wetsuit. These TDC panels are located in about the same place as the smoothskin panels on the outside. This combination of TDC on the inside and smoothskin on the outside is what makes this wetsuit so warm.
*If you go up the Xcel line and want to pay more these suits have TDC lining covering the entire torso and legs. I have never worn one of these higher end wetsuits but they must be incredibly warm.
Chest Zip Entry
Xcel has a great eye for detail. The entire chest zip entry system is well designed with overlapping front and back neck panels. Xcel pioneered the chest zipper entry system. They have it engineered down to a science. While I do have a back zip in a lighter weight wetsuit, for a thicker cold water wetsuit I prefer a chest zip. A chest zip improves shoulder mobility and you don’t have to worry about cold water dripping down your back. There is a magnetic closure that keeps the closed zipper in place.
Fits Well
For a wetsuit to perform as it should it must fit like a second skin. I like my wetsuits snug as possible and I think that’s why they perform well for me. I wear a lycra bodysuit under my wetsuit to help me get in and out easier. You hear surfers say chest entry suits are hard to get in and out of. But these are older wetsuits, the newer generation of chest zips offer a better fit and design. For superior warmth and flexibility in a suit as thick as 6/5mm a chest zip is the way to go.
Reasonable price
Mid range price for the quality. This wetsuit is right in the middle of Xcel’s line. It’s not the best cold water wetsuit you can buy. To buy the top of the line Xcel wetsuit I would have to pay twice as much. Since this wetsuit keeps me plenty warm I feel this was a good value for the money. Shop for sales because there are deals out there.
1 year warranty
So far this wetsuit is holding up great. I think durability is related to how different brands fit on your body. Xcel seems to fit me well. I also make sure to keep my wetsuits out of the sun and hot temperatures. I never leave them in my car in the summer heat. Of course, this is a winter wetsuit. I hand wash it and then hang dry with a wetsuit hanger.
So there it is, my winter cold water surfing wetsuit. I am very happy with this suit. All I want from a wetsuit is warmth and flexibility. This Xcel wetsuit fits the bill just fine. And I have no problem getting in and out. (however I do wear a lycra bodysuit under my wetsuit for that purpose.) Xcel is my favorite wetsuit brand. O’Neill being a close second. They fit me great and are high quality.
| Water Temp (°F) | Wetsuit Thickness | Recommended Wetsuit Type | Seal Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| >72° | Rashguard | ||
| 65 – 75° | 0.5 mm – 2/1 mm | Top / Shorty | |
| 62 – 68° | 2 mm – 3/2 mm | Springsuit / Full Suit | Flatlock |
| 58 – 63° | 3/2 mm – 4/3 mm | Full Suit with Boots | Sealed |
| 52 – 58° | 4/3 mm – 5/4/3 mm | Full Suit with Boots, Gloves and Hood | Sealed and Taped |
| 43 – 52° | 5/4 mm – 5/4/3 mm | Full Suit with Boots, Gloves and Hood | Sealed and Taped |
| 42° and below | 6/5 mm – 6/5/4 mm | Full Suit with Boots, Gloves, Hood and flask of whiskey | Sealed and Taped |
*News from Xcel
I have heard that Xcel has now switched over from regular petrol-based neoprene to limestone neoprene. Limestone neoprene is lighter weight, warmer and doesn’t soak up water. And neoprene made from limestone is more durable. Kudos to Xcel, they seem to be on the cutting edge of wetsuit technology.
