The Evolution of Comfort and Sustainability in Dive Wear
Fourth Element has long been known for blending performance with purpose, and the new Xenos ARC Wetsuits mark a major leap forward in that philosophy. Designed for liveaboard diving, multiple dives per day, and comfort between dives, the Xenos ARC combines effortless donning with exceptional thermal performance - and it’s built using one of the most sustainable neoprene alternatives on the planet.
Whether you choose the 3mm, 5mm, or 7mm version, each Xenos ARC suit adapts to your body like a second skin, offering warmth, stretch, and durability - while massively reducing environmental impact.
What’s New in the Fourth Element Xenos ARC Wetsuit?
From Neoprene to Ocena®: The Sustainable Revolution
At the heart of the Xenos ARC is Ocena®, a revolutionary composite made from natural rubber and recycled car tyres. This innovative material resists long-term compression and provides incredible flexibility and comfort, all while cutting down energy use in production by up to 90% compared to traditional neoprene.
It’s USDA-certified 82% bio-based, sourced from FSC-approved plantations, and even uses oyster shell by-products to create calcium oxide — replacing environmentally harmful limestone mining.
Simply put, the Xenos ARC doesn’t just perform better underwater — it’s changing how wetsuits are made.
Xenos ARC vs Original Xenos: What’s the Difference?
The original Fourth Element Xenos wetsuit was already a diver favourite for its easy entry and comfort. The new Xenos ARC takes that foundation and re-engineers it from the ground up, introducing new materials, better insulation, and a more eco-friendly design.
| Feature | Xenos ARC | Original Xenos |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Ocena® (natural rubber + recycled tyres) | Limestone-based neoprene |
| Eco Credentials | 82% bio-based + recycled linings | Limited recycled content |
| Thermal Performance | Thermoflex core + triple-glued seams | Standard lining |
| Seals | Hydrolock / Glideskin / Silicone ankle seals | Standard seals |
| Compression Resistance | Excellent long-term recovery | Moderate |
| Ease of Donning | Fast-dry linings, smooth entry | Quick donning |
| Packaging | Plastic-free, recyclable sleeve | Standard packaging |
The result? The Xenos ARC feels lighter, warmer, and more flexible — and is built to last longer while leaving a much smaller environmental footprint.
Effortless Donning and All-Day Comfort
Every diver knows the struggle of pulling on a wetsuit between dives — especially when it’s damp. The Xenos ARC solves that problem with fast-dry, low-friction linings in the arms and legs, making it a breeze to slip in and out of, even between repetitive dives.
The cut-away heel notch also makes donning and doffing smoother, while the Thermoflex torso lining locks in warmth during surface intervals.
With triple-glued and blind-stitched seams and a smoothskin zipper pad, the Xenos ARC ensures minimal water ingress, keeping you warmer for longer, dive after dive.
Eco Engineering That Performs
Sustainable From Start to Finish
- Ocena® construction – natural rubber + recycled car tyres
- 85% natural rubber with 82% bio-based content
- Recycled linings – 42% polyester, 8% elastane, 50% nylon
- Water-based glues instead of solvent adhesives
- Plastic-free packaging – recyclable paper sleeve
- FSC-approved plantations and carbon-fixing rubber sourcing
Even the calcium oxide used in the material comes from oyster shell by-products instead of limestone mining — reducing both food waste and destructive land use.
Performance Tailored to Each Thickness
The go-to choice for warm-water diving and liveaboard trips, the 3mm model offers easy donning and lightweight flexibility with a Hydrolock wrist seal and Glideskin neck seal to prevent flushing.
Ideal for temperate waters, the 5mm adds extra insulation with the same effortless donning system and a Hydrolock wrist seal for reliable comfort across multiple dives.
Built for cooler conditions, the 7mm suit features double wrist seals for glove integration and internal silicone ankle seals for maximum warmth retention. It’s the perfect companion for cold-water dives where staying warm makes all the difference.
Features at a Glance
- Made with Ocena® – a composite of natural rubber and recycled car tires – resists long term compression
- Lined with Recycled Polyester (42%), recycled elastane (8%) and Nylon (50%)
- Triple glued and blindstitched, watertight seams
- Thermoflex thermal lining on torso for warmth
- Hydrolock wrist seal on 3mm and 5mm
- Double wrist seal for glove integration on 7mm
- Internal silicone ankle seals
- Glideskin neck seal
- Smoothskin zipper pad to minimise water ingress
- Abrasion-resistant knee pads
- Cut away back heel notch for ease of donning and doffing
What Makes the Xenos ARC OceanPositive™
At the heart of the Xenos ARC lies Ocena®, a revolutionary material made from USDA-certified 82% bio-based content. This isn’t just a greener alternative to neoprene – it’s a complete rethinking of how wetsuits are made. By combining natural rubber with recycled car tyres, Fourth Element has created a material that not only performs under pressure but does so with minimal environmental impact.
The rubber used in the Xenos ARC is sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved plantations, where rubber trees are grown and harvested in a way that’s actively carbon-fixing, helping offset emissions instead of adding to them. During production, recycled car tyres are added to the raw rubber to improve UV resistance and durability, keeping the suit softer and more flexible for longer. This innovative technique also results in an impressive 90% energy reduction compared to traditional fossil-fuel-based neoprene manufacturing.
Sustainability doesn’t stop there. The Calcium Oxide used in Ocena®’s formulation is derived from oyster shell by-products, turning what would otherwise be food waste into a valuable raw material. This avoids the need for environmentally damaging limestone mining, further reducing the suit’s ecological footprint.
Inside, the Global Recycled Standard (GRS)-certified linings are made from recycled polyester, ensuring less plastic waste ends up in our oceans. Every Xenos ARC is laminated using water-based glues instead of chemical solvents, and even the packaging has been designed with sustainability in mind — no single-use plastics, just a fully recyclable paper sleeve.
Together, these innovations make the Xenos ARC not just a wetsuit, but a statement – proof that divers can choose top-tier performance without compromising the planet.
Real Diver Feedback
The Xenos ARC has been independently tested by divers in the UK, Mexico and Australia, receiving rave reviews from both cold and warm-water environments:
“Way warmer than I was expecting.”
“I can’t believe that this can feel so good to dive in, but it does! Please may I keep it?”
“Felt better than a ‘normal’ wetsuit.”
So comfortable, you might just forget you’re wearing it.
FAQs
Q: How does the Xenos ARC differ from traditional neoprene wetsuits?
A: The Xenos ARC uses Ocena® natural rubber, not neoprene. It’s made from renewable and recycled materials, offers better compression resistance, and reduces energy use in production by 90%.
Q: Is the Xenos ARC suitable for cold-water diving?
A: Yes! The 7mm version includes double wrist seals, silicone ankle seals, and Thermoflex insulation, making it ideal for cooler waters.
Q: Can I use it for liveaboard trips or multiple dives per day?
A: Absolutely. It was engineered for liveaboards and repetitive diving, with fast-dry linings and easy donning between dives.
Q: What makes it OceanPositive™?
A: The combination of natural rubber, recycled linings, water-based adhesives, and plastic-free packaging makes the Xenos ARC one of the most sustainable wetsuits available.
Q: How does it compare to the previous Xenos model?
A: The Xenos ARC features new eco materials, improved thermal performance, more advanced seals, and superior compression resistance — all while drastically reducing environmental impact.
Developed for performance - Designed with purpose
Finally in stock!
The Fourth Element Xenos ARC wetsuits prove that high-performance dive gear and sustainability can coexist — without compromise.
Now available in 3mm, 5mm and 7mm thicknesses – explore the full Fourth Element Xenos ARC range at Mike's Dive Store.
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