From the moment you put it on, TDC transforms your body into a renewable source of warmth, while improving your ability to achieve peak performance.
“Xcel has been a product driven brand since we hand-made our first wetsuit in 1982. TDC represents a huge leap forward in our continued commitment to designing wetsuits as complete systems that use proven technologies to deliver real-world benefits.” – Lance Varon, Xcel Design Director
TDC, Thermo Dry Celliant, is a unique wetsuit lining with mineral-enhanced, naturally-hydrophobic smart fibers that are activated by your body heat.
TDC is a responsive textile that recycles your body heat – that would otherwise be wasted – into beneficial infrared energy. This infrared energy provides a huge boost in warmth, and delivers a wide range of overall performance benefits.
Rigorously tested in and out of the water, TDC is Xcel’s warmest wetsuit lining ever in over 30 years of Xcel product development, and redefines what we can achieve in terms of wetsuit warmth and performance.
“With many strong products in the marketplace today, Xcel set out to deliver a technically superior innovation that would stand out from alternatives – and that could, most importantly, be scientifically proven to perform. Careful R&D led us to Celliant, an established and proven technology yet one that has never been seen before in wetsuits.”
“After partnering with Celliant, we set out to determine whether TDC would be effective as an in-the-water lining. We conducted rigorous tests in both controlled environments and real-world surf sessions.”
“The results of TDC’s extensive testing far exceeded our expectations. Comparing TDC to other materials, we can literally see and measure the significant increase in warmth. And the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the many product testers – most of whom weren’t told they would be wearing TDC – only served to reinforce our scientific conclusions.” – Lance Varon
TDC is driven by Celliant’s patented, proprietary mineral blend embedded in TDC smart fiber cores. These active minerals are naturally occurring and thermo-reactive (heat activated). They have been carefully selected for their ability to convert body heat into infrared energy, and to then redirect that energy back into your skin and muscle.
TDC begins to work from the moment it is worn against your skin. It does not require a minimum body heat or baseline activity level to be activated; and it remains continuously effective over time (see “How Is TDC Made?” below).
Infrared energy is known to have many positive effects on the body.
“TDC’s infrared energy is a medically proven vasodilator. This means that infrared energy improves circulation and increases tissue oxygen (TCPO2) levels, which in turn are proven to increase warmth and stamina, fend off fatigue, and quicken recovery times in everyone from non-athletes to professionals alike.”
“The cold air and/or water conditions that necessitate a wetsuit are the same conditions in which you’ll benefit from improved circulation and greater tissue oxygen. So for surfers, this means quick and easy access to these performance benefits, simply by putting on their wetsuit.” – David Horinek, Celliant Inventor
TDC’s key benefit is its unparalleled warmth. It also delivers increased endurance, faster recovery, and enhanced overall athletic performance.
TDC is also a lightweight, all-way stretch material, with an exceptionally quick drying time thanks to the naturally hydrophobic (water repellent) properties of its mineral-enhanced smart fibers.
“Because TDC is so versatile, we now have the potential to develop products that use less foam and are even more lightweight, while still delivering unparalleled warmth and built-in hydrophobic properties. It’s a truly revolutionary breakthrough with exciting future applications.” – Lance Varon
TDC’s unique manufacturing process begins with the Celliant mineral blend being ground into a fine powder of particles that are 100 times thinner than a human hair. This powder is then processed into masterbatch (resin) and embedded into the cores of staple fibers. Finally, these fibers are spun into Celliant yarn to create the final TDC smart fiber lining.
Because TDC’s active ingredients (Celliant minerals) are embedded at the smart fiber cores, TDC technology will never wear off or wash out, so its benefits last for the lifetime of your wetsuit.
TDC is available exclusively in Xcel’s Fall 2014 Drylock, Revolt, and Infiniti fullsuit series; and in Xcel’s full line of Fall 2014 Drylock accessories.
A diamond-patterned, high pile TDC lining in the front and back torso ensures core warmth in the Drylock and Revolt series. The infrared print TDC is a lower pile for maximum stretch, and is found in the Drylock upper and lower body, Revolt lower body, Infiniti front and back torso, and all Drylock accessories.
No, TDC does not require any special attention. Like all Xcel wetsuits, you can help maximize natural product life by treating your wetsuit with care.
A variety of Xcel TDC test wetsuits – from 3/2mm to hooded 5/4mm – were sent out into some of the most extreme conditions. The overwhelming consensus was a noticeably warmer overall surf, being comfortable staying out longer even while wearing thinner than usual boots or gloves, and less cramping due to cold.
As with any wetsuit, your individual experience and comfort level will vary based on personal preferences and environmental conditions.
In addition to in-the-water trials by Xcel’s athletes and R&D teams, TDC was also shown to increase tissue oxygen levels by an average of 13% – nearly twice the average required to be certified as an effective Celliant® application.
Celliant’s effectiveness has also been demonstrated in numerous independent clinical studies and third-party clinical trials.
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