Candice LandauLast Updated on April 24, 2024 by Candice Landau
This post was originally published on Eugene Skin Diver’s Facebook page.
I have been diving a BARE drysuit for three years and have never once regretted purchasing it as my primary means of exposure protection. Like any new diver, when I initially walked into the dive shop to buy a drysuit, I wanted to balance affordability and quality. Eugene Skin Divers was great. They showed me all of the available options and inquired into the type of diving I intended to do in the future. Back then I didn’t know I’d be interested in science diving, becoming a dive professional, or even technical diving, I just knew that I intended to do a lot of cold water diving. I wanted something that would hold up.
At the end of the day I left the shop having spent more than I intended but having made a purchase I am still to this day happy with. I bought the BARE XCS2 Drysuit, a suit I have done almost 400 dives in. There are so many things I love about this drysuit that it’s hard to know where to begin.
Firstly, the thermal properties. It is made of crushed neoprene and keeps me toasty warm! For someone like me – prone to getting cold quickly – this is a lifesaver. Even Clear Lake’s 38-degree waters take 45 minutes to sink in. I still have the neoprene neck seal on my suit as I like the warmth it offers. Others prefer something tighter but I don’t find I have any problems with water entering the suit if I tuck my hood into the built-in collar on the suit.
The second thing I love about this drysuit is the plastic zipper. It’s easy to use, hard to break, and the envy of almost every drysuit diver with a metal zipper, no matter how expensive their suit! Don’t take my word – wait for the comments when you’re buddy helps you suit up.
Durability is the other property that makes me a big fan of this suit and once again, something I’d have a hard time compromising on now. When I bought my suit I had no idea I’d be scrambling over jetty rocks. In 3 years I am still astonished that I have not once had to take the suit in to have a tear or puncture repaired. I have also never had to replace my dump valves or the inflator button on my chest.
For any of you wondering: I bought my drysuit off the rack. I did not have any custom changes made, though I know John could just about turn it into a ballgown if I asked. The only thing I’ve had done to the suit is had dry gloves added and had two velcro BARE pockets glued on.
If you’re looking for something tough, that will keep you warm in cold water, and that looks sexier than most suits (yes, it does!), join me on the BARE side!
