Women's winter neoXcel Infinity 6/5 Hoodedim Test - tight and comfortable

Stephan Gölnitz

 · 28.02.2023

Tight seals and good gloves, then even four degrees of water loses its terror.
Photo: Stephan Gölnitz
The Xcel Infinity 6/5 in detail
The "Xcel Infinity" may not be the absolute top model in the Xcel line, but it still wants to compete with the warmest wetsuits from other brands. Can it succeed?

In the men's suit test, the Xcel "Drylock" the most expensive model in the range, which is also available as a women's model and scored top marks for warmth. The "Xcel Infinity" model, also with a solid material thickness of 6/5 millimetres and a thick hood, was available for the women's suit test. The test was carried out last winter, but the model is still in the programme for 2024/2025.

The wetsuit is partially equipped with a particularly soft, warm lining in the core area, and a slightly thicker and flexible "Thermolite IR" lamination has also been used throughout the torso, which is also a pleasant contrast to conventional, "simple" neoprene lamination. All seams are sealed with tape on the inside - also very nice. The seams on the outside are not additionally sealed with rubberised tape. Xcel doesn't cheat when it comes to neoprene thickness, which results in a consistently thick "wall thickness" on the arms and sides of the torso.

You don't need a lady-in-waiting in the dressing room, the Xcel Infinity looks like a real neo when you slip it on compared to a jogger-like Prolimit - but by no means unruly. The legs slide very well through the softly lined tubes and only when taking them off do you need a little more shoulder mobility than with one or two other models. When closed, the freedom of movement is very good, the cut and the neoprene stretchability leave nothing to be desired.

During the test, the bonnet impressed with the most comfortable fit and a particularly smart cut on the chin. The bonnet can be tied tightly and you can still speak easily.

The Xcel Infinity in action on the water

The Xcel not only impressed with its excellent freedom of movement, but also with the best possible waterproofing. On the legs, arms and neck. After an hour of surfing with various washes, the hair was still dry. Air temperatures of just one degree and water of a maximum of 5 degrees were easy to endure while surfing in the Xcel Infinity. The wetsuit is very well equipped against the additional wind chill when windsurfing and wingfoiling with smooth skin neoprene on the chest and back. Water rolls off immediately, which noticeably improves the thermal performance in the wind.

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Winter water in the ice stream immediately exposes any leaks during the wash cycle.Photo: Stephan GölnitzWinter water in the ice stream immediately exposes any leaks during the wash cycle.

Xcel Infinity 6/5 Hooded - the conclusion:

The Xcel Infinity 6/5 Hooded is made of particularly thick neoprene overall and also on the arms, because at Xcel the actual neoprene thickness without coating is decisive, which compensates for the less extensive lining. If you want to get the most out of Xcel, go for the top model "Drylock", but the Infinity also masters the winter perfectly with plenty of comfort, good waterproofing and thick neoprene.

Wearing comfort, sealing, neoprene thickness

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Rating Xcel Infinity 6/5 Hooded Women's Winterneo:

Easy to put on and take off
Thermal insulation
Freedom of movement

Technical data:

  • Test model: Xcel Infinity 6/5 Hooded (size 38/M/8)
  • Thickness: 6/5 mm
  • Available sizes: 2/4/6/6T/8S/8/8T/10S/10/10T/12/14S/14/16S//16/18
  • Price: 509 Euro RRP


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Stephan Gölnitz

Stephan Gölnitz

Deputy Editor in Chief surf

Stephan Gölnitz comes from Bochum and had Holland as his home windsurfing territory for many years before moving to Munich in 1996 for the job of test editor at surf magazine. The materials engineering graduate worked as a surf instructor on the Ijsselmeer during his studies and competed for several seasons for the Essen sailing team in the Surfbundesliga and the Funboard Cup. He completed a traineeship at surf-Magazin in the test department and since then has actively accompanied almost all tests on the boom and for more than 10 years also as a photographer. Stephan has covered many thousands of test kilometers, mainly on Lake Garda and in Langebaan, but also in Egypt and Tobago. He gets his hands on over 100 new sails and boards every year as his company car. Privately, he prefers to surf with a foil on Lake Walchensee or “unfortunately far too rarely” in the waves. SUP is Stephan's second passion, which he pursued for several years at numerous SUP races. Today, he prefers to paddle on river tours with family or friends - even for several days.

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