Fit Is Everything

Bare Velocity fullsuit
I'm a big fan of those tropical-weight neoprene fullsuits. They allow almost total freedom of movement and exposure protection. They are so comfortable, in fact, that I'll sometimes choose one rather than a thicker suit, even when the water temperature is a bit cooler.
 
There comes a point, however, when more insulation is a must. I have been spoiled by the thinner stuff and now expect a lot more flex and comfort from my 3 mm suits.
 
This is why I appreciated Bare's Velocity fullsuit. It provides 3 mm of full-body coverage, but it feels almost as good as those really thin tropical suits.
 
Flexible, forgiving materials account for part of this comfort level, but what really sets Bare products apart is their construction. In an age of computer-modeled patterns, this Vancouver-based manufacturer prides itself on investing considerable human time and talent into sculpting realistic three-dimensional patterns that not only fit properly, but also move and flex in all the right places, and incorporate all the details that matter. These include the Glideskin wrist and ankle gaskets that reduce water movement, Hydrostretch panels under the arms, lumbar-stretch panel, an extra heavy zipper for longevity, and durable yet supple kneepads.
      
A comfortable fit is assured by Bare's wide range of standard sizes which include mens "tall" and "short" sizes, and womens "tall" and "plus" sizes in most styles.

Bare Velocity fullsuit
IMPRESSIONS: A 3 mm that wears like a tropical suit. KEY FEATURES: 3 mm NS2 or Bareskin body; Glideskin wrist and ankle gaskets, 2 mm adjustable Glideskin collar; Lumbare-X-Tender panel, preformed knees with Durashield padding; and 100 percent flat-seam construction. MSRP: $149, www.bare-wetsuits.com