Xcel Drylock Full 4/3mm Sustainability Report

The wetsuit’s primary material is made from limestone-based neoprene. Although Xcel labels this neoprene as “eco-friendly,” we do not include it in our sustainability criteria because, while it reduces reliance on fossil fuels, it still necessitates energy-intensive mining and processing. Additionally, we could not find any research to confirm if limestone-based neoprene actually has a lower impact than petroleum-based neoprene, a topic debated among wetsuit brands. However, Xcel continues to focus on developing more sustainable materials, such as bio-based and recycled alternatives, as part of its long-term strategy to phase out neoprene by 2026, so the company may produce low-impact wetsuits in the future.

Some wetsuit brands have begun to transition away from petroleum-based neoprene, which relies on non-renewable fossil fuels. Among the alternatives, the lowest-impact option is Yulex, a plant-based rubber derived from Forest Stewardship Council–certified hevea trees, which are a renewable resource. Yulex has an 80% reduced carbon footprint compared to petroleum-based neoprene. Other brands use limestone-based neoprene as an alternative to petroleum-based versions. While it avoids oil extraction and the associated risk of spills, limestone is still a non-renewable resource that requires energy-intensive mining and processing. Some companies claim that limestone-based neoprene has a lower environmental impact than petroleum-based versions, but we have yet to find research or lifecycle assessments to substantiate that claim. As a result, we do not include limestone-based neoprene in our low-impact rubber criterion.

Since Xcel does not label the Xcel Drylock Full 4/3mm as PFAS free, we believe that there is likely PFAS in some of the materials. We reached out to the brand to clarify but did not receive a response.

The materials in a wetsuit often contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) as part of the product’s defense against outside moisture and stains. These synthetic compounds, also known as "forever chemicals,” are found in a range of gear categories, from jackets to footwear. They resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

Xcel uses water-based, solvent-free adhesives in the construction of its wetsuits, including the Drylock. These materials help reduce the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and support safer working conditions during manufacturing.

Some outdoor gear, such as wetsuits and tents, uses adhesives to bond materials together. These adhesives are often solvent based and can contain harmful chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are hazardous to human health and contribute to air pollution during manufacturing and off-gassing. Switching to water-based adhesives significantly reduces VOC emissions, improving air quality and creating a safer environment for workers. Water-based alternatives can still provide strong, durable bonds suitable for technical seam construction, but with a reduced environmental impact.

While Xcel does incorporate recycled materials into many of its fabrics, the Xcel Drylock Full 4/3mm is not labeled as containing any.

Outdoor gear can be made partly or entirely from recycled materials, the most common being nylon, polyester, wool, and down. Some products include a single recycled component or a partially recycled fabric, while others are 100% recycled (generally excluding accessories like zippers, Velcro, toggles, etc.). For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate the amount of recycled materials in a particular product and assign points accordingly.

Xcel uses solution-dyed yarn in its wetsuit materials. By infusing dye pigments into a molten plastic solution to produce colored yarns without the dyeing process, water and energy are greatly conserved.

Solution dyeing is a process in which pigment is added to a synthetic fiber’s raw materials during production instead of after. Compared to traditional methods, solution dyeing reduces water consumption, energy use, and carbon dioxide emissions, and releases fewer chemicals overall. In addition to these environmental benefits, solution-dyed fabrics resist fading because the fiber’s pigment becomes intrinsic to it, rather than being dyed on the surface.

We did not find any evidence of responsible manufacturing practices at Xcel, since there is no publicly available information about its production site or its involvement with groups like Fair Trade or the Fair Labor Association. We reached out to the company for more information, but have not heard back. As a result, the brand does not meet our criteria for responsible manufacturing.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

Specific information regarding Xcel’s packaging practices, such as the use of recycled or reduced packaging materials, is not disclosed. We reached out to the company for more information but did not receive a response.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

Xcel allows its customers to submit Xcel-branded products to its team for repair assessment, regardless of warranty status. If a repair is possible but the product is not under warranty, customers will be charged for the repair service.

Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption. Some brands offer comprehensive repair programs that can fix a wide range of issues, while others have more limited capabilities. If a brand's warranty policy only covers replacement, rather than repair, these programs usually do not meet this criterion.

Xcel recycles as much neoprene waste as possible in its supply chain, noting that it annually repurposes approximately 11,000 pounds of neoprene. The brand also encourages customers to return their old wetsuits for recycling. Xcel will then turn the used wetsuits into sandals, traction pads, and more.

Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation for longer and out of landfills. The most common form is a trade-in program, where consumers can exchange items for store credit, which is then resold. Some brands accept products back for recycling at the end of their life, thereby reducing waste. Occasionally, some do both.

Xcel has not publicly announced detailed carbon reduction targets or released comprehensive emissions tracking data. A few statistics on Xcel’s website mention tracking carbon emissions, but they lack context and are not linked to any sort of time series data. Xcel can strengthen its sustainability efforts by publishing more thorough and up-to-date emissions data, as we see competing brands doing. The brand does not currently meet our criteria for carbon footprint tracking.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

Xcel provides some sustainability updates on its website, including information about material choices, production processes, and environmental initiatives. However, the information is less thorough compared to that from other brands. These resources allow consumers to stay informed about the brand’s ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, although Xcel does not regularly produce an annual impact report with more specific data and progress reports.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.