Bare Wetsuits — In Your Element Since 1972
Bare Sports began in a small workshop in British Columbia in the early 1970s, built by people who dove and who understood that the wetsuits available at the time could do better. Over fifty years of refining that original instinct, Bare has grown into one of the most respected wetsuit brands in the world — but the DNA has stayed consistent: Fit, Craftsmanship, and Innovation.
What separates Bare from most wetsuit manufacturers is that their wetsuits are designed by people who dive in them. Their all-female Evoke design team designed the women's range around women's actual movement patterns underwater. Their cave diving collaborators shaped the materials choices in the technical suits. Their anatomical BAREfit patterns — with bias-cut fabrics, articulated arms and legs, and complex 3D shaping — are the result of understanding that a wetsuit worn poorly, no matter how technically advanced, doesn't keep you warm. Bare also offers one of the widest size ranges in diving, with men's and women's models available in regular and tall cuts, extended sizes, and specialist fits.
At DiveCatalog.com, we carry the full current Bare wetsuit lineup across all thicknesses: the Reactive series (with Graphene OMNIRED, the most thermally advanced), the Velocity Ultra range (Progressive Full-Stretch neoprene with OMNIRED), the Revel and Elate multi-sport suits, kids and youth suits, and the complete accessories range including gloves, hoods, boots, and vests. DiveCatalog.com is an authorized Bare Sports dealer.
Bare's Key Wetsuit Technologies
OMNIRED Infrared Technology
OMNIRED is Bare's flagship thermal innovation — a fabric treatment containing 13 thermo-reactive minerals embedded in the material. These minerals convert outbound body heat into infrared energy and reflect it back to the body, helping maintain optimal core temperature. This process has been independently tested and validated, and is FDA-determined to conserve body heat and accelerate thermal recovery. Beyond warmth, the infrared energy stimulates circulation, which can improve stamina and endurance during long dives. OMNIRED is available across Bare's wetsuits, accessories, and Exowear thermal layering range.
Graphene OMNIRED
The Reactive series takes OMNIRED further by combining it with graphene — a single-atom-thick layer of carbon, the world's thinnest and strongest heat-conducting material. Graphene's natural heat-capturing characteristics warm up faster than conventional neoprene and hold that heat longer, both in and out of the water. The combination of graphene's conductivity and OMNIRED's infrared reflection produces what Bare calls their warmest wetsuit technology.
Progressive Full-Stretch Neoprene
Used in the Velocity Ultra range, Progressive Full-Stretch is Bare's premium neoprene construction. Standard neoprene stretches predominantly in two directions (lengthwise and widthwise). Progressive Full-Stretch construction uses neoprene oriented to stretch in multiple directions simultaneously, providing exceptional freedom of movement that standard neoprene cannot match — particularly important across the shoulders, knees, and elbows during dynamic underwater movement.
BAREfit Anatomical Patterns
Fit is Bare's first pillar because they believe thermal performance is impossible without it. A loose wetsuit allows continuous water flushing — cold water constantly entering and leaving the suit — which defeats thermal insulation regardless of material quality. BAREfit patterns use complex anatomical shaping with articulated arms and legs that follow the natural bent position of a diver rather than the standing position a flat-cut suit assumes. Bias-cut fabrics are oriented to maximize inherent stretch. The result is a suit that conforms to the body in the water rather than working against it.
Limestone-Based Neoprene and Eco Construction
Bare uses limestone-based neoprene foam (calcium carbonate rather than petroleum) across their range. Water-based adhesives replace solvent-based glues during production — equally strong, but without chemical emissions. Dope-dyed fabrics reduce water consumption during dyeing by over 10% compared to traditional wet-processing methods. These choices reduce environmental impact without affecting suit performance.
The Bare Wetsuit Range
Reactive — The Most Thermally Advanced Bare Wetsuit
The Reactive series is Bare's premium technical wetsuit range, built around Graphene OMNIRED — the combination of graphene heat conduction and OMNIRED infrared mineral technology. Available in 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm for men, and 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm for women (the women's models are branded Reactive). The 7mm Reactive is Bare's warmest wetsuit. Each Reactive suit uses Progressive Full-Stretch construction for maximum freedom of movement, BAREfit anatomical patterns, and No-Stitch Technology on key seam areas for a watertight finish. The premium option for divers who push into cold or challenging conditions and want every thermal advantage possible.
Velocity Ultra — Performance Full-Stretch with OMNIRED
The Velocity Ultra is Bare's performance tier — Progressive Full-Stretch neoprene with OMNIRED infrared technology at a step below the Reactive's Graphene upgrade. Available in 3mm, 5mm, 7mm, and an 8/7mm Semi-Dry configuration for both men and women. The Semi-Dry version adds a chest zip water dam and fitted hood with silicone mask grip to minimize water entry in the coldest conditions short of drysuit territory. An excellent choice for regular cold-to-temperate water divers who want genuine performance without the Reactive's premium.
Revel and Elate — Multi-Sport Full-Stretch
The Revel (men's) and Elate (women's) are Bare's versatile multi-sport suits — designed for scuba, snorkeling, paddlesports, and general watersports use. Available in 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm. These use full-stretch neoprene without the OMNIRED upgrade, and are priced as the accessible entry into the Bare lineup. An excellent choice for warmer water, new divers building their first kit, or recreational divers who want a reliable everyday suit without the premium of the Velocity or Reactive tiers. Kids' versions are available in the Manta series for youth (8–16) and Dolphin/Tadpole/Guppy for toddlers (2–6).
Shorties and Specialty
Bare offers 2mm shorty suits for warm tropical water where thermal protection is minimal and flexibility and packability are paramount — the Revel Shorty (men's) and Elate Shorty (women's). Hooded vests with OMNIRED technology are also available as standalone thermal layering pieces or as undergarment additions to extend the warmth of a full suit.
Wetsuit Thickness Guide
| Water Temperature |
Recommended Thickness |
Notes |
| Above 27°C / 80°F |
2mm shorty or skin |
Primarily UV and stinger protection |
| 24–27°C / 75–80°F |
3mm full |
Warm tropical; light thermal protection |
| 18–24°C / 65–75°F |
5mm full |
Temperate; standard California warm-season choice |
| 13–18°C / 55–65°F |
7mm full or 8/7mm semi-dry |
Cold temperate; California winter, Pacific Northwest, UK, New England |
| Below 13°C / 55°F |
8/7mm semi-dry or drysuit |
Cold water; consider Bare drysuit range for extended dives |
Men's vs. Women's Bare Wetsuits
Bare offers true gender-specific suits throughout the range — not resized men's suits, but suits designed from the pattern stage for women's proportions. Women's suits feature shorter torso lengths, narrower shoulders, wider hips relative to waist, and in many cases higher-cut legs. Bare's all-female design team (responsible for the Evoke and Nixie lines) designed these suits with women's underwater movement patterns as the design brief, not as an afterthought. If you are a woman who has previously found wetsuits uncomfortable or poorly fitting, Bare's women's range is worth trying.
Why Buy Bare Wetsuits from DiveCatalog.com?
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Authorized Bare Sports dealer — full manufacturer warranty on all suits
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Complete size range available — regular, tall, and extended sizes across men's and women's lines
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Expert sizing advice — our team can help you navigate Bare's sizing charts
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Full accessories range — gloves, hoods, boots, and vests to complete your thermal system
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Fast shipping — in-stock suits ship within one business day
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Easy returns — if sizing isn't right, exchanges are straightforward
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Rewards program — earn points on every purchase
Frequently Asked Questions — Bare Wetsuits
What is OMNIRED technology and how does it work?
OMNIRED contains 13 thermo-reactive minerals embedded in the fabric. These minerals convert body heat that would normally radiate outward into infrared energy, which they reflect back to the body. This process has been independently tested and is FDA-determined to conserve body heat and improve circulation. The practical effect is that OMNIRED suits keep you warmer than comparable non-OMNIRED suits at the same thickness.
What is the difference between OMNIRED and Graphene OMNIRED?
Standard OMNIRED uses mineral-based infrared reflection. Graphene OMNIRED (used in the Reactive series) adds a graphene layer — the world's thinnest and most heat-conductive material — which actively captures and conducts heat faster than neoprene alone, and holds it longer. The Reactive suits are Bare's warmest option.
What is Progressive Full-Stretch neoprene?
Standard neoprene stretches mainly in two directions. Progressive Full-Stretch neoprene is constructed so the material stretches more uniformly in multiple directions simultaneously, providing superior freedom of movement — particularly noticeable across the shoulders and knees. Used in the Velocity Ultra and Reactive series.
What thickness wetsuit should I buy for California diving?
Southern California averages 65–68°F (18–20°C) at depth, making a 5mm suit appropriate for most divers. Northern California and Monterey run cooler — 54–58°F (12–14°C) — where a 7mm or Semi-Dry is more appropriate. Many California divers add an OMNIRED hooded vest for core warmth on colder days. Contact us for a specific recommendation based on where you dive.
Are there Bare wetsuits for kids?
Yes. Bare offers the Manta series for youth ages 8–16, and the Dolphin (1mm), Tadpole (2mm), and Guppy (3mm) suits for toddlers ages 2–6. All use age-appropriate neoprene construction with UV protection and easy-entry designs.
How should I size a Bare wetsuit?
Bare provides detailed sizing charts based on height, weight, chest, waist, and hip measurements. A properly fitting wetsuit should feel snug with no loose areas or bagging — loose areas allow water flushing that eliminates thermal protection regardless of thickness. If between sizes, size down. Bare offers a two-week fit guarantee on most suits; contact us for details.
What is the Semi-Dry configuration in the Velocity Ultra 8/7mm?
The Semi-Dry version adds a chest-entry dry zipper and an internal water dam that significantly limits water entry. Combined with wrist and ankle seals, this creates a near-drysuit water exclusion while maintaining the flexibility of a wetsuit. Suitable for temperatures down to around 10°C / 50°F for most divers.
Bare builds wetsuits for people who actually dive — in the surf, in the cold, in the currents, and everywhere else. Browse the full collection above and reach out if you'd like help finding the right suit for your conditions.
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