XCEL Hooded: 5.4 Drylock vs. 5.4 XZip2

[fatum9_6]

I´ve been thinking to get in the water in Fall and Springtime around Danmark or the German North Sea, though no plans to go out in ice and snow. Guess I would drop out if it´s dipping below 5 °C /41 ° F.

Since I have an older 4.3 Xcel Infinity Drylock, I´m pretty much sold on Xcel and want to get a 5.4 hooded suit.

The 5.4 XZip 2 seems like a very solid suit, but is lacking the Drylock cuffs and the Airprene insulation. I kind of like the idea of those cuffs since my skinny underarms get flushed quit a bit. On the otherside, I would probably use gloves and boots anyhow (pulled over the sleeves), so the flushing shouldn´t be an issue, or is it still? Does the Airprene make a noticable difference?

Just wondering if its worth to shell out 25% more on the Drylock.

Thanks!

[billie_morini]

my buddy has a new 4/3 drylock XCEL suit. It has the cuffs and he loves them. If you pull gloves over the sleeve ends, then you should be OK (when wearing gloves). I don't like surfing with gloves. Why don't you try some soon? It is an inexpensive experiment and maybe you can even borrow them. This might provide another data point.

[tony g]

I use the Xcel 5/4 XZip2 in Oregon and it is a super warm wetsuit. I have also used the drylock and do not notice much of a difference. The new X-Zip2's also have a black jagged seal on the legs that helps them seal pretty well in the 2010 model or newer.

[tomas]

wanted to ask this exact same question...i mean i guess the drylock /must/ be better in some way but it's a crucial £70 more!

so thanks @tony g for the info

[surf doc]

I have 2 xcel suits, one a 3/2 without drylock, one a 4/3 with drylock. It's tough to really compare the two because they are different thickness, but the drylock seems to make a substantial difference the suit almost never flushes. The 4/3 is ridiculously warm to the point where I can't wear it if the water temp is over 55. If you need the extra warmth, the wetsuit is not the place to cut corners IMO, shell out the bucks and get the best and be comfortable.

[MikeE]

DryLock, most definitely! When it's REALLY cold, keeping that flush out of your suit is PRICELESS!