Brutally Honest Gear Review: BARE Guardian Tech Neoprene Drysuit

After a year and a half diving this suit, it's time to tell you guys how it went - you can check out the manufacturer page for this suit here. This one replaced my beloved Waterproof EX2 that met a sadly unfortunate (if slightly hilarious) end. As this was my first neoprene drysuit I'd ever owned, I was totally taking a leap of faith. I'd had bad experiences with BARE in the past with material delaminating, seams not holding up (there was a joke where they were referred to as BAREly dry). Since being acquired by Huish Outdoors, straight up - that has definitely changed, no concerns about quality any more.

And, the usual disclaimers - no, I am not being paid to write this review. No, I am not sponsored by Huish or Bare. No, I don't get any money from this. This is for you, my darling students, because sometimes I get tired of repeating myself when people ask how I like my suit! It doesn't mean I don't want to chat with you. I REALLY do. I love you all. Anyhoo....

Overall Impression: This suit is pretty dope.

This is easily the comfiest suit I've owned. I'm pretty happy with the fact that I'm BAREly (see what I did there?) wearing any undergarments underneath it. I'm shorter, I have huge tracts of land and a small waist, and I have a hell of a time fitting some gear. This suit fits like a hot damn. It looks like a top and bottom, and is shockingly flattering for a drysuit (well, as flattering as drysuits get).

The Guardian Tech is the ladies' version, if you're looking for the dude version (which I can only assume is just as grand, if a little less curvy), you want the BARE Sentry Tech Dry.

First Things First: Modifications from the base model

Right off the hop there were a whopping two changes I made when I ordered the suit from the base model. Travis Stewart (the Huish rep for our area) is the absolute best at answering questions, for the record. Thanks Travis!

Here's a handy chart of the only two things I changed vs left alone:

Standard Feature: Sab's High-Maintenance Modification:

-Neoprene wrist seals -Ultima dry rings with silicone wrist seals

-Permanent Tech Boots -Neoprene socks (I like separate boots, OK!? So judgy!)

The rest of the suit seemed pretty spot on for what I needed!

Durability and Overall Function

I'll preface this by saying that my gear does see heavy use with how much I dive and teach. I use it in lake and ocean diving, as well as in rivers and the odd canyoning escapade. So far, the material has held up incredibly well. Tiny bit of wear on the knees (to be expected), but it's more discoloration (this was the canyoning usage, not the diving usage). I've had to add a little bit of glue to the seam tape used on the top edge of the neoprene neck seal, and a little to the tape on one of the neoprene socks, but there have been no leaks. This thing is tough (which is good, because I really can't have nice things).

Canyoning: It's rough on gear. BARE Guardian Tech Drysuit on the far right (Orange Helmet)

Valves function as advertised. They're valves. The pockets are grand - I mean that literally - they're quite spacious, they expand, and there's a secret velcro pocket behind the main flap pocket, which was a treat to find! They happen to be the PERFECT size for slates when I teach. It's like the pockets have pockets. All pockets have bungees in them (in blue, so you can actually see them) to clip off backup masks and other goodies. SO handy.

The neoprene on this suit is 2mm Yamamoto High Density Neoprene, with a protective Kanako outer layer. Because the neoprene is compressed, I found that I needed roughtly the same amount of weight with this setup as I was wearing with my trilam (including undergarments). This was a pleasant surprise, as neoprene suits are historically more buoyant. For reference, with the warmest undies noted below, steel backplate/wing and single steel Faber HP80, I wear 16lbs with this setup. I wore the same with my trilam and the undergarments that went along with it.

Donning/Doffing and Gearing Up

So, neoprene neck seals are HILAROUS to put on when they're brand new. The neck seal on this one is a 2mm smoothskin neoprene seal, so it has some stretch for sure, and is quite warm considering how thin it is. Pushing your head through isn't bad, and I've never had any issues folding it incorrectly (it even sealed properly when I had half my hair stuck in there).

The telescoping torso is the highlight of this thing for me. The way the torso is done - no crotch straps, just a stitched fold - makes it so easy to settle in place, and makes putting this thing on way easier. It also makes it easier for short ladies like me to find a suit that doesn't have an extra 8" of leg length. The suspenders (which ALSO have a pocket!) take up that extra material with no issues. Diagonal front zip makes it easy to get in and out without help.

Taking the suit off is hysterical when the neck seal is still brand new. If you have lots of hair, I'd recommend folding the neckseal outward a few inches to give you some grip and not rip your hair out. After a few giggles, it's not bad. But we have some great pictures of a few of us who have tried my suit stuck in it momentarily!

Comfort and Warmth

A buddy trying my suit. Dat booty!

The important part - this thing is incredibly comfy. It might actually be more comfortable than some of my wetsuits. For regular late-spring thru fall diving, I've been just wearing base layers underneath it (wicking tights and t-shirt, and BARE Ultra-Warmth Base Layers - Top and Bottom for ease of bathroom breaks). That's it. That's been good for water temperatures between 10C/50F and 16C/61F. Anything warmer than that, and I'm just t-shirt and tights. Colder (around 3C/37F) I tried out this BARE SB Mid Layer Full on top of the Ultra-Warmth layers (it's a single layer fuzzy fleece pajama-like thing, and it's SO cozy). With the neoprene socks I wear a pair of the fuzzy T-Max socks you can get from Mark's. As for boots - because SOMETHING has to not match - I like the Hollis Canvas Overboot. I tried out the BARE boots, and just didn't like them as much as the Hollis boots. But that's just me.

Sizing for Reference

I'm 5'2", 135lbs, Chest - 39", Waist - 29", Hips - 38". I wear a size small. I also have lifting quads, and this suit accommodates those really well.

The fit is pretty excellent. There is room in the small for a taller person without an issue thanks to the torso (see the booty picture above, that lady is about 5'6"). It first felt a little snug wiggling it over my hips, but that's because this suit ACTUALLY has a waist! It's got curves! It turns out BARE's current pattern-makers designing the ladies suits are - wait for it - ladies. The arms are a tiny bit long for me (again, 5'2"), but not so long as to be an impediment. Once my gloves are on and my computer is in place it's not an issue.

If you're a human furnace (as in - you're always too warm) you may not like this suit, as it does add a level of warmth - you may want a trilam instead. If you're a human popsicle, you'd likely love this suit. This one is a bit lighter than most neoprene suits, but it is heavier than a trilam, so may be a bit harder to travel with if weight is a concern. I've traveled with mine (only to the West Coast, thanks COVID), and I'm just really good at packing, so I haven't had any issues. I was still able to get my bag in just under the weight limit with all my gear and this suit in there.

If you want to know anything else about this suit, feel free to drop me a line via the contact page!