I live in NJ and surf all winter. I will surf every swell during the work week, and will paddle out in the crap if it's a weekend and I don't have any commitments. I have a wet-suit quiver of both Xcel and Hyperflex, so here's my experience. The hooded Xcel Dryloc is certainly warmer and more water tight than most brands, but it can be restrictive/cumbersome in my opinion.... I would definitely score one if you find one your size on sale . I have an Xcel Infinity 5/4 that feels pretty good in the comfort and weight department, but I can only last until late December or early January until I start getting cold. I will get a full season out of it before I send it back for warranty to get repaired. A lot of the Xcel suits I bought, even the Dryloc, start falling apart, thread pulls, etc, within the first season. I switch to a 6/5/4 Hyperflex Voodoo for the coldest months. It feels just about the same as the Xcel Dryloc to me, but probably not as water tight or warm, however I can pull a 3 or 4 hour session in it before I can't feel my extremities, if the waves are pumping. When it is 4 MIL time, I have the hooded Hyperflex Vyrl which is one of the most comfortable wet-suits I have ever owned. It's cheap, does a great job, very flex-able and lite. My 3 Mils are Xcel's, one is a comp and the other is a Dryloc, both good suits, but I will probably switch to Hyperflex when the time comes. The Xcel suits have a better pull string system for hood and shoulder adjustments than the Hyperflex.Xcel's warranty/repair process is intuitive and seamless. Hyperflex is slightly more involved, but I always get a brand new suit, regardless of the damage, every single time, and for me, living in NJ, shipping is dirt cheap and turnaround is quick. The Vyrl suits start to tear after one season for me, the Voodoo hangs in there a little better. Boots and gloves, regardless of brand, only last a season for me before they start to fall apart and need some attention to squeeze another season out of them, but the Hyperflex stuff seams on par with Xcel, which used to be the best IMO. Regardless, I will only get 2 seasons out of my gear since the warranty will cover it the first year, then i'll hand it over to a friend in need, and get new stuff for another 2 years.
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