Stab Magazine | WINTERMISSION 2.0: XCEL

Episode 3 of EAST with Harry Bryant is LIVE, presented by Kona Big Wave and Vans.

54 Views

WINTERMISSION 2.0: XCEL

Validated by SIMA, approved by the Wintermission cast. 

style // May 11, 2019
Words by Stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

If you’re looking for credibility outside of our eclectic Wintermission cast, why not lean on the The Surf Industry Manufacturer’s Association (or SIMA) to validate your purchasing behaviour?

You see, last year SIMA awarded Xcel’s Comp X the prestigious title of Wetsuit of the Year. Nowadays with the overwhelming amount of groovy tech in the suit scene, to top this list speaks volumes. 

If you don’t care too much for feedback coming from people who may or may not actually surf well (they probably do), allow us to hand the mic to Mitch Crews, who spent the most time with Xcel’s flagship performance suit during our field test.

20190307 IMG 9377

A passionate popper.

20190308 IMG 0096

It’s got a magnet, and we like that.

“This one for me was pretty amazing,” he reflected in the backyard of our South Coast Airbnb, the suit still damp from the morning’s session. 

“It’s quite affordable. I like how light it is. It’s not super heavy, it’s nice to have a light wetsuit especially in contests. All in all, the Xcel is a bit of a badass wetsuit. In fact, Xcel always seems to make pretty awesome suits.”

Once again Xcel’s Nanoprene Lite Japanese Limestone technology has produced a suit that’s light, elastic and warm enough to fend off a moderate amount of chill. 

The Hawaiian manufacturers recently updated the panelling structure to enhance the fit of this suit, meaning the thing hugs tightly and feels even more comfortable than its predecessors.

You can shop it here. 

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

AI Surf Forecasting Has Arrived… Is It Any Good?

And what does it mean for Surfline?

Oct 9, 2026

The Top Five Stab Films You’ve (Maybe) Never Heard Of

A look through the archives.

Oct 9, 2026

Want To Win One Of Harry Bryant’s EAST Boards?

We’re giving away 10 pink and blue boards to Stab Premium members.

Oct 9, 2026

SEOTY: Australia’s #1 QS Surfer vs. The Sydney Pipeline

Whether it's the original Banzai or a knock-off, Kobi Clements is not afraid.

Oct 7, 2026

How Ashton Pickle Won Harry Bryant’s EAST, Presented By Kona Big Wave

What actually happened last weekend in NYC?

Oct 6, 2026

How Tom Curren Accidentally Baptized Japan’s Most Fabled Big Wave Spot

And why Kelly Slater missed out on naming rights.

Oct 5, 2026

DEFECT: In Conversation | StabMic Ep. 33

Dane Reynolds, Hunter Martinez, and Jake Kelley watch DEFECT and offer up its secrets.

Oct 5, 2026

Watch: EAST Starring Harry Bryant, The Grand Finale

Five (or six) shapers, four (or five) boards, and a very unusual end to the…

Oct 2, 2026

Surfing’s 2026 Q3 Report: Dead Cat Bounce, Live Cocaine Bump

Legacy stocks and IPOs on the rise.

Oct 1, 2026

SEOTY: Ryan Huckabee’s Limbs Require Forensic Study After ‘Huck 2’

+ Albee Layer interviews Huck on the reality of Maui’s "air wind" and Jaws vs.…

Sep 28, 2026

The Day Greg Long Drowned | StabMic Ep. 32

"I look back on that as the single most important moment of my life.”

Sep 28, 2026

Watch FUDO— Steko’s Bold, Referential & Intentionally Divisive 2026 Film of the Year Nominee

Andino and Vanderwork push surf film aesthetic away from 1999 and toward 2009 in 'Fudo'.

Sep 25, 2026

Stab High Presented By Monster Energy Is Heading To China

The biggest air section in the game. Live from Riyue Bay, Hainan, November 13th and…

Sep 25, 2026

“She Reminds Me of Slater and Andy At The Peak Of Their Powers”

Erin Brooks is undefeated in her last 14 CT heats. Coach Jake Paterson has seen…

Sep 25, 2026

How Ben Gravy Conquered Ferry Surfing’s Everest

"If you're there on the perfect conditions, it would barrel for a solid 90 to…

Sep 23, 2026

Watch: You Vs The World’s Busiest Lineup For $5k

Sun Bum's impromptu surf contest hits Snapper Rocks

Sep 22, 2026

Yes, Former Just Released Another Film — 3 Weeks After “Defect”— And It’s A++

'The Illusion of Control' is a 17-minute Cloudbreak tour exploring real Fijian surfers and the…

Sep 22, 2026

Why Miguel Pupo Is Peaking At 34

The Lowers winner is within 3,000 points of world #1 — it's not a coincidence.

Sep 22, 2026
Advertisement