Bare Progressive Stretch

[MedicDoug]

I have been diving comfortably, in my somewhat old (11 years) 3/2 mm wetsuit, until recently I started getting cold. So, I figured I would buy a suit with the latest and greatest new technology. Haven't bought a 3/2 in awhile. So, I opted for the affordable Bare 3/2 Velocity Progressive Stretch. It feels great but, I have heard in passing these new "stretch" suits are not as warm due to their stretch characteristics. I am not as much concerned about the stretch and somfort as the warmth. I am concerned about the warmth of this new suit. Any Bare reps or 3/2 experts out there like to comment (I know Henderson is the best just don't think I wanna spend that price). I plan on diving warm Key Largo waters with this suit. And of course some NE dry-suit stuff.

 

[spectrum]

I have a Bare Velocity 5/4 (2004). The Progressive line they now have is an extension of the same concept. The point is that they are using a variety of materials to provide comfort without making the whole suit out of the supper flexible/stretchable/crushable stuff.

It's a compromise design as you suspect and the diving you describe dosen't seem like it will have you out on the edge. IMO a hyperstretch will bias you far into the comfort aspect at the sacrifice of more warmth.

If 3/2 was the right choice to begin with I wouldn't give it another thought.

Pete

 

[MedicDoug]

Fo some reason I thought the wet-suit would be the easiest purchase, but now I do not know if I bought the right one and probably will not know unitl I dive with it some warm water.

 

[CompuDude]

If your previous suit was 11 years old, your new suit will be immensely warm by comparison, if only because the neoprene is new and has not been repeatedly compressed over years of diving.

OTOH, if it's only been used for surfing and has not been compressed at depth much, the difference won't be as large.

 

[Scuba Jerm]

I agree with CompuDude. The 11 year old suit will fail in comparison to the new 3/2 suit. Anyway a 3/2 suit is for warmer water, if you are truely concerned about the cold, buy the 3/2 suit and layer it with a 3mm vest for your core. You'll be plenty warm, and it won't break your bank.