Xcel

Xcel · Premium cold-water chest-zip steamer

Xcel Drylock 4/3 Review

9.1/ 10 Estimated score

9.1

Estimated from 2 independent sources (no numeric scores published)

Average price$520Range $519.95–$519.95 across 1 retailersSee sources

The Drylock is Xcel's flagship cold-water suit. The 4/3 mm full suit combines Celliant Black thermal lining, a semi-dry chest-zip entry system and drylock wrist and ankle seals aimed squarely at long winter sessions.

View on Xcel

Quick specs

Type: Full wetsuit / steamer
Thickness: 4/3 mm
Entry: Semi-dry chest zip
Lining: Celliant Black thermal lining
Seals: Drylock wrist and ankle seals
Seams: Glued, blindstitched and internally taped

The Surf Atlas, who tested the Drylock across a full northern-hemisphere winter, put the model's purpose bluntly: "The overall aim of the Xcel wetsuits Drylock series is, unequivocally, warmth." Their long-term account of Welsh and Irish sessions in December and January reports rarely being too cold to remove gloves, and unusually long sessions before the cold ended them.

That warmth comes from three things working together — the Celliant Black thermal lining, the internally taped seams and the drylock seals at the wrists and ankles that stop the cuff flush most suits suffer on duck dives. It is a system rather than a single headline feature, which is why the Drylock has survived so many generations.

Pros & cons

Drylock wrist and ankle seals dramatically reduce flushing
Celliant Black lining is one of the warmest linings on the market
Long-running model with a proven cold-water track record
Semi-dry chest zip balances warmth against entry hassle

Premium pricing — The Surf Atlas notes $400-plus price points
Thick thermal lining takes longer to dry than lighter suits
Drylock seals can feel tight until the suit is broken in

How it surfs

Where the Drylock differs from Rip Curl's Flashbomb is drying time. The Flashbomb's flash lining is built specifically to dry between sessions; the Drylock prioritises in-water warmth. If you surf twice a day in winter, that difference matters more than the temperature rating.

Budget honestly. The Surf Atlas flags $400-plus pricing as the trade-off for the technology, which puts the Drylock firmly in the serious-cold-water bracket rather than the everyday-value bracket where the Dawn Patrol sits.

Volume & sizing chart

Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.

Size	Volume	Rider weight	Best for
S to XXL	4/3 mm	Use the official Xcel size chart	All levels
Tall and short fits	MT, LT, MS, LS	Available in the Drylock range	All levels

How it compares

Board	Best at	Wave range	Aggregate score
Rip Curl Flashbomb Fusion 4/3	Fastest-drying premium suit	Cold water	9.4
O'Neill Psycho Tech 4/3	Premium warmth and stretch	Cold water	9.3
Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 4/3	Value cold-water option	Cold water	8.8

Verdict

The Drylock is a warmth-first winter suit and it does that job as well as anything on the market. You pay for it in price and drying time, but for cold, long sessions the seal system and Celliant lining are worth the premium.

Estimated score: 9.1 / 10

Estimated from 2 independent sources — see full list below.

What reviewers around the web are saying

Surfex does not test gear directly. Below are independent retailer and editorial sources. When a source publishes a numeric score, it is normalized to a five-point scale; otherwise the source is listed without a score.

Estimated score

9.1/ 10

9.1

2 sources, none scored

Source	Score	Summary
The Surf Atlas — Xcel Drylock review	No numeric score	"The overall aim of the Xcel Drylock series is, unequivocally, warmth… There was rarely a moment when we were left too cold to be able to pull off the gloves. We were also pleasantly surprised at how long sessions lasted."
Xcel official product page	No numeric score	"The manufacturer listing confirms the current 4/3 mm Drylock full suit, its thermal lining and drylock seal system."

Where to buy & average price

Listed prices come from verified retailer pages. The average price below is an unweighted mean of verified retailer prices — converted to USD (≈) when retailers list in different currencies. Click any retailer to verify the native-currency price.

Average price

$520

$519.95–$519.95 · 1 retailers

Retailer	Price	vs. average
Xcel	$519.95	-$0.05	Visit

Frequently asked questions

How warm is the Xcel Drylock 4/3?+

It is Xcel's flagship winter suit. The Surf Atlas tested it through Welsh and Irish winters and reported rarely being too cold to remove gloves, with unusually long session times.

What makes the Drylock different from cheaper 4/3 suits?+

Celliant Black thermal lining, internally taped seams and drylock wrist and ankle seals that reduce the cuff flushing most suits get on duck dives.

How much does the Xcel Drylock 4/3 cost?+

Xcel lists the 4/3 full suit at $519.95 USD. The Surf Atlas notes the range generally sits at $400-plus.

Drylock or Rip Curl Flashbomb?+

The Drylock prioritises in-water warmth. The Flashbomb prioritises drying speed between sessions. Choose the Flashbomb if you surf twice a day in winter.

What water temperature is a 4/3 Drylock for?+

A 4/3 mm suit is generally used from roughly 9 to 15 °C. Boots, gloves and a hood extend that range considerably.

Does the Drylock come in tall and short fits?+

Yes — the Drylock range includes MT, LT, MS and LS fits alongside standard sizes. Check the official Xcel size chart before ordering.