Review: Fourth Element Xenos ARC 5mm Wetsuit — Plant-Based Rubber Challenges Neoprene
Fourth Element's Xenos ARC replaces traditional petroleum-derived neoprene with Ocena, a plant-based natural rubber, delivering exceptional stretch and comfort for liveaboard and multi-dive schedules.
Fourth Element, the Cornwall-based dive equipment brand known for its commitment to sustainability, has released the Xenos ARC wetsuit — a 5mm suit built around Ocena, a plant-based natural rubber compound that steps away from conventional neoprene.
Traditional neoprene is derived from petroleum and carries a meaningful environmental footprint both in production and at end-of-life. Ocena replaces the synthetic polymer with a bio-based rubber that significantly reduces the suit's lifecycle impact without compromising insulation or durability. This positioning has become a differentiating factor as more divers look to reduce the environmental cost of their gear.
Performance on Long Dive Days
The Xenos ARC's standout characteristic in real-world use is its flexibility. Natural rubber compounds typically offer superior stretch compared to synthetic neoprene, and the ARC makes this obvious in the water. Arm reach and shoulder rotation feel unrestricted — a genuine advantage for freedivers and scuba divers alike who clock up multiple dives per day on liveaboard trips.
The 5mm thickness is well-suited to temperate water diving in the 18–24°C range, providing adequate thermal protection across back-to-back dive days without the overheating risk of thicker suits in warmer conditions.
Sustainability Credentials
Fourth Element has built the Xenos ARC to complement its broader eco-conscious approach, which includes using recycled materials across many of its product lines. The Ocena material reduces reliance on petroleum-based inputs, and the brand has addressed longevity with construction details designed to outlast standard neoprene suits under heavy use.
For divers who spend extended time aboard liveaboards in destinations such as the Coral Triangle, Red Sea, or Pacific Island groups, the combination of comfort, flexibility, and reduced environmental impact makes the Xenos ARC worth serious consideration as a primary wetsuit.