Onyx Select Semidry Hood 6/5/4 or Xcel Drylock Hood 6/5

[horston]

Has anyone had any experience with warm top models from the ION and Xcel brands? Interested in specific models:
ONYX SELECT SEMIDRY HOOD 6/5/4
https://www.ion-products.com/water/kite ... ood-65-dl/

and XCEL DRYLOCK HOOD 6/5
https://xcelwetsuits.eu/product/6-5-dry ... d-wetsuit/

Which one to choose?

[BudhaNl]

Have an Xcel a bit below that for winter which is great so I'd recommend that.

[Exal]

Which one to choose?

Will always be the one that fits you the best. I tried 6 different brands when I was shopping for a nice winter wetsuit and they all fit differently, especially around the neck or under the armpits is where I noticed the differences. Since you were looking at the Onyx that probably means you have an athletic build, no gut wider shoulders. I am 6'1 with 80kg in good shape and the onyx did fit me well, xcel drylock not hooded was a bit wide around my skinny neck otherwise fine and really warm. Rip Curl and Mystic did fit me the best and I ended with the flashbomb and am really happy with it.

[TheRussian]

I have the Onyx Select 5/4 Frontzip (without the hood) - shoulders are fine as the neoprene is very stretchy
+ve's: v flexible & warm
-ve's : no aqua flush holes (that are on the Mystic legend), no ankle/velco strap hoops (but it comes with ankle straps?!), the neck material is very prone to wear and mine has worn significantly, given it was not used all of last winter - as when its really cold, I use my Rip Curl Flashbomb

[rogue_kiteboarder]

Go with the kiteboarding brand, ya know since they support the sport.

[drone]

XCEL DRYLOCK HOOD 6/5
https://xcelwetsuits.eu/product/6-5-dry ... d-wetsuit/

I have an Xcel hooded for winter, no problems, I recommend. Wide range of size, what kite brands doesn't offer.

[Da Yoda]

Which one to choose?

Will always be the one that fits you the best.

THIS IS THE BEST AND ONLY ANSWER! Try on as many as you can.
I have the Onyx Amp Select and the fit is great for my body, but the arms and legs could be about 1" longer. Unfortunately they don't make "tall" sizes.

[omg]

Cheaper alternative but good quality so far is https://srface.com/
I have Xcel Drylock 5/4 2021 initially bought for the very cold weather before the Srface which I bought as a cheaper option for less cold weather and to save the Drylock. Might be that the Srface will do well for the very cold conditions as well. At least now I have two suits - spoiled
These both suits are basically dry for me, so I can take a slightly bigger size; easier to get on and off (I have long arms making life harder esp. when getting the suit off).

[horston]

He explains very well how to choose the size of a wetsuit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YJDR2rvA-k&t=5s