Rip Curl suits develop pinholes way too fast, literally within a month or two and some right out of the factory. Problem is they try to tape the seams over the fuzzy liner, and the glue doesn't bond well, the liner is too fuzzy/thick. Xcel will last 2 seasons or more and only then slowly develop pinholes but it is not nearly as stretchy. If it fits you well, it is stretchy enough. The xcel is also pretty thick for a 4/3 because they use thick jersey liners. I have had 5/3s that didn't feel as thick so it fits a weird niche.
have both these suits in 3/2. Problem with all suits is they are good for a few weeks (or tops few months). After that they completely change. My flashbomb heatseeker was so tosty at first.. i was amazed and swore i would not buy a different suit. it also dried out quickly when you hanged it. It was so hot i could barely surf in it middle of winter. One season later it just leaks everywhere and stays absolutely soaking wet after drying for 3 days+, on the upside its so poorly insulated now I can use it as a springy :) Only had the xcel drylock a few weeks and so far so good but the zipper leaks suprisingly lot, should have probably gotten the “x” version with better zipper and more fleece..
@@bbrv85 it holds up suprisingly well , probably the longest lasting suit i had. zipper bit leaky but overall the suits has not gotten any worse after daily use for a few months.
@@bbrv85 Sorry Bruno I missed your comment. Yes both my Xcels are still dry in the crouch area. The 2 year old one now leaks a little at either end of the zipper. I think I will stick with Xcel always.
Rip Curl suits develop pinholes way too fast, literally within a month or two and some right out of the factory. Problem is they try to tape the seams over the fuzzy liner, and the glue doesn't bond well, the liner is too fuzzy/thick. Xcel will last 2 seasons or more and only then slowly develop pinholes but it is not nearly as stretchy. If it fits you well, it is stretchy enough. The xcel is also pretty thick for a 4/3 because they use thick jersey liners. I have had 5/3s that didn't feel as thick so it fits a weird niche.
The ripcurl is a great suit .but it rips so easy had it fixted twice so far .nice n warm thought
Ruber chest of the rip curl is the worse desging mistake I ever seen. It gets destroyed after 10 sessions
have both these suits in 3/2. Problem with all suits is they are good for a few weeks (or tops few months). After that they completely change. My flashbomb heatseeker was so tosty at first.. i was amazed and swore i would not buy a different suit. it also dried out quickly when you hanged it. It was so hot i could barely surf in it middle of winter. One season later it just leaks everywhere and stays absolutely soaking wet after drying for 3 days+, on the upside its so poorly insulated now I can use it as a springy :) Only had the xcel drylock a few weeks and so far so good but the zipper leaks suprisingly lot, should have probably gotten the “x” version with better zipper and more fleece..
Any update on your opinion about the xcel wetsuit you got?
@@bbrv85 it holds up suprisingly well , probably the longest lasting suit i had. zipper bit leaky but overall the suits has not gotten any worse after daily use for a few months.
I prefer the Excel . I just bought another 4/3. A bit hard to get off but keeps the water out and seems warmer
@@bbrv85 Sorry Bruno I missed your comment. Yes both my Xcels are still dry in the crouch area. The 2 year old one now leaks a little at either end of the zipper. I think I will stick with Xcel always.
Xcel should do a backzip in the drylock. Chest zip is harder to get on & off, also feels restrictive over the left shoulder.
I agree they are hard to get into but they stay dryer far longer than RipCurl