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For scuba divers, there is no better suit than the Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit. Whether recreational, technical, or instructional diving is your thing, this new product line has just the outfit you need. From 3mm suits to 9/7/6mm hooded full suits for men and women, there’s a wetsuit for everyone.
Scuba diving is an excellent hobby for water lovers. Although, it is a hobby that requires a lot of equipment. Hence, having the right gear is one of the most crucial parts of being a scuba diver. If you are in search of a new suit for diving, check out the Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit. These things contain some of the highest quality materials on the market. They’re also super comfortable and built to last. Don’t waste your money on a suit that will expire in three or four years, if you’re going to invest, make it worth your while!
What Exactly Is a Wetsuit?
A wetsuit is a suit explicitly for recreational and professional usage in the water. Divers, surfers, kayakers, water skiers, and more rely on wetsuits for various reasons.
Furthermore, there are several purposes for wetsuits. Their primary goal is to provide warmth and protection from harmful UV rays. They also prevent abrasions from harsh water conditions and debris. Wetsuits also function as a buoyancy supplement.
Wetsuit FAQs
Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions regarding wetsuits.
How tight is a wetsuit supposed to be?
Pretty tight. Wetsuits are supposed to be formfitting. A loose suit allows for pockets of air and water to enter your outfit, which is a big no-no. But don’t worry, once you get in the water, your suit will loosen up quite a bit.
Why are wetsuit zippers on the back?
Initially, all wetsuits had zippers located in the back. Today, you can find wetsuits with front zippers if you shop around. However, most of them are diagonal, not straight up and down. The reason for most wetsuits having zippers in the back is that they allow for superior mobility. Front zippers can pinch your skin as you move around, and they can also cause cuts.
How many years does a wetsuit last?
How long a wetsuit lasts depends on a few different factors, such as the quality of the materials used by the manufacturer who produced it, and how well it’s owner takes care of it. A well-maintained wetsuit can, as a result, last anywhere from four or five years to an entire decade.
Do wetsuits keep you warm in cold water?
A wetsuit isn’t made primarily to keep you warm in cold water. However, if it is well-made, it will keep you much warmer than a poorly made suit. The Neoprene material many high-quality wetsuits are fashioned out of traps your body heat inside of the suit. Hence, the better your outfit is, the more heat trapped inside, and the warmer you will be in cold water.
How Much Does an Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit Cost?
There are many versions of the Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit, as well as a wide variety of sizes. Some are even fully hooded. Hence, depending on which Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit you are interested in purchasing, the cost will vary between roughly $320 to $520.
How We Reviewed
We conducted intensive online research to bring you the most accurate review on Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuits. We looked at the product descriptions from the manufacturer and online retailers, as well as customer reviews and informational videos. Furthermore, we took what we found and put together the best mini-review possible for each product.
Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuits
Xcel is a leading company in the wetsuit industry. Their reputation for the highest quality products is in part the result of their founders’ undying love of the water. Initially founded in 1982 with a focus on surfers, the company has steadily proved itself as one of the best brands around. They have been dedicated to researching and developing innovatively designed products for the last four decades solid. As a result, today, they offer a wide variety of products including everything from tropical to cold-water products, including the Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit product line.
Their suits allow for superior performance and the maximum durability possible. Each outfit consists of a sealed-seam construction that ensures a tailor-made feeling. Even more, these wetsuits are so exceptional they’ve received the title “Wetsuit of the Year” by the Surf Industry Manufacturer’s Association three times.
Let’s take a look at each of the most popular Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuits below.
Men’s 3mm Thermoflex Dive TDC Fullsuit
The 3mm TDC full dive suit has a rating for water temperatures of 66 to 78 degrees. It has a super stretchy neoprene construction for superior comfort and flexibility in the water. All seams are one hundred percent sealed up to keep air and water out. The inside is also lined with fast-drying poly fleece for added warmth and has a full back zipper. The product’s weight is approximately four pounds.
The Men’s Thermoflex Dive TDC Fullsuit has an approximate price of $320 online. It is available on Amazon, Wetsuitwarehouse, and Xcel. A one-year manufacturer’s warranty comes with this product.
Men’s 5/4mm Thermoflex Dive TDC Fullsuit
Most similar to the 3mm TDC full dive suit, the 5/4 full dive suit is slightly thicker. It has all the same high-quality craftsmanship as the 3mm suit and a rating of 50 to 65-degree water. The 5/4 has a low pile infrared print from the neck to the knees of the suit. It also has tonal printed shoulder graphics that help to prevent damage from BC straps. The total weight is about four pounds.
The Men’s Thermoflex Dive TDC Fullsuit 5/4 has an approximate cost of $360 online. It is available on Amazon, Wetsuitwarehouse, and Xcel. A one-year manufacturer’s warranty comes with this product.
Men’s 7/6MM Thermoflex Dive TDC Fullsuit
The 7/6 features the warmest wetsuit lining on the market. It has extra plush thermo dry celliant and a rating of 50 to 65-degree water. The suit’s smart fiber technology converts body heat into infrared energy allowing for better warmth inside. Lightweight and fast drying, this wetsuit promotes superior endurance, recovery, and overall performance. The entire suit weighs only four pounds. It doesn’t get much better than this.
The Men’s 7/6 Thermoflex Dive TDC Fullsuit costs around $450 online. It is available on Amazon, Wetsuitwarehouse, and Xcel. A one-year manufacturer’s warranty comes with this product.
Men’s 9/7/6 Hooded Polar Thermoflex TDC Dive Fullsuit
Another of Xcel’s most popular Thermoflex TDC full dive suits, the Polar 9/7/6 is similar to the 3mm, 5/4 and the 7/6 but it is bit thicker and comes with a hood. It also has a rating for much colder waters, at 46 to 60 degrees. The high pile TDC inner lining of this suit will keep you extra warm while diving, even at night. As with other Xcel Thermoflex wetsuits, it is made of ultra stretch neoprene, allowing for a comfortable and lightweight suit. One significant difference between this suit and the others in the product line is that it has a front zipper for easy access. It also has ankle zippers, an adjustable collar, and DuraFlex knee panels.
The Men’s Hooded Polar Thermoflex TDC Dive Fullsuit has an approximate cost of $520 online. It is available on Amazon, Wetsuitwarehouse, and Xcel. A one-year manufacturer’s warranty comes with this product.
Men’s 2-Piece 3mm Thermoflex Free Diver TDC Suit
This 3mm Thermoflex freediving suit comes into two pieces, a hooded pullover and a pair of long johns. It is one of the most advanced free diver suits on the market, crafted with the same thermo dry celliant as the other Thermoflex TDC products produced by Xcel. The inner lining contains smart fiber technology which enhances the overall performance of the suit. There are no zippers; you simply pull the outfit on and off. The temperature rating for this suit is 66 to 78 degrees.
The Men’s 2-piece 3mm Thermoflex freediving suit costs around $440 online. It is available from the Xcel website. A one-year manufacturer’s warranty comes with this product.
Men’s 2-Piece 5MM Thermoflex Free Diver TDC Suit
`The 7mm Thermoflex freediving suit is the second two-piece freediving suit in the Thermoflex product line. It has a rating of 50 to 65-degree temperatures. Both pieces of the suit consist of one hundred percent thermo dry celliant materials and low pile infrared print lining. Furthermore, the suit is also fully zipperless with smooth hemmed edges for comfortable chafe-free usage.
The Men’s 2-piece 5mm Thermoflex freediving suit costs about $480. It is available on Xcel. A one-year manufacturer’s warranty comes with this product.
Men’s 2-Piece 7mm Thermoflex Free Diver TDC Suit
The third piece in the Thermoflex freediving product line is the two-piece 7mm free diver suit. It has a beavertail hooded pullover and long johns with neck and armholes and consists of ultra stretch neoprene. The suit has a DuraFlex chest pad for extra protection and easier loading for spear guns. It also has all the same great features as the other free diver suits from Xcel.
The Men’s 2-piece 7mm Thermoflex freediving suit costs approximately $530. It is available on Xcel. A one-year manufacturer’s warranty comes with this product.
Women’s 3mm Thermoflex Dive TDC Fullsuit
A favorite suit for women is Xcel’s 3mm TDC full suit. It has a rating of 66 to 78-degree waters and contains high-quality neoprene for max flexibility in the water. Sealed entirely, the seams keep out air and water. A poly fleece lining also acts as an additional layer of warmth and insulation. It comes with a full length back zipper as well as ankle zippers for quick removal.
The Women’s 3mm Thermoflex Dive TDC Fullsuit costs about $300 online. It is available on Amazon and Wetsuitwarehouse. A one-year manufacturer’s warranty comes with this product.
Women’s 5/4 Thermoflex Dive TDC Fullsuit
The 5/4 for women comes with a temperature rating of 66 to 78 degrees. It has back and ankle zippers, protective spine padding, and an adjustable collar over a low cut front neck. Furthermore, additional features include sealed V-shaped ankle flaps, DuraFlex knee panels, and tonal printed shoulders. The 5/4 also consists of the same ultra stretch neoprene as the other wetsuits in the Thermoflex line.
The Women’s Thermoflex Dive TDC Fullsuit 5/4 costs about $360 online. It is available on Amazon, Wetsuitwarehouse, and Xcel. A one-year manufacturer’s warranty comes with this product.
Women’s 8/7/6 Thermoflex Dive TDC Fullsuit
The thickest women’s Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit on the market, this one is rated for temperatures of 46 to 60 degrees. It is made from the same high-quality TDC materials, giving it better flexibility in the water and creating more inner warmth. Glideskin sealed ankles and wrists keep out extra water and air. The fast-drying poly fleece also creates additional heat. It has full-back zippers for quickly getting in and out.
The Women’s Thermoflex Dive TDC Fullsuit has an approximate cost of $440 online. It is available on Amazon, Wetsuitwarehouse, and Xcel. A one-year manufacturer’s warranty comes with this product.
Caring for Your Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit
There are several things you can do to optimize the lifespan of your Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit, such as:
- After each use, rinse your Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit with cold water – avoid hot water as it reduces the neoprenes flexibility
- Hang your Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit to dry in the shade after you’ve rinsed it out – avoid hanging it in the sun as it damages the neoprene
- Avoid folding your Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit once it is dry – leave it hanging in a dark space like a closet
- Never machine wash or dry your Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit in a machine – it may cause rips or holes to occur in the neoprene
- From time to time, rinse your Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit in mild laundry detergent – avoid using bleach
Properly caring for your wetsuit is a big deal. Those who don’t follow the above steps will find that their wetsuit reaches an earlier than expected expiration date.
Our Verdict
Xcel is one of the best wetsuit manufacturers in the world. The advanced thermo dry celliant materials and superior craftsmanship are just a couple of the things that put their Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit product line ahead of the competition.
We give the Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit a full five stars and highly recommend this product to anyone who plans on spending a decent amount of time in the water. Whether surfing, scuba diving, free diving, or spearfishing, Xcel has the perfect suit for you.
Do you own an Xcel Thermoflex Wetsuit? If so, which one? Are you happy with it? Have you found some downside to it? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
