Torn between Hollis and Bare Semi-Dry Suits, thoughts?

[ontdiver]

Fit it key in this exercise - particularly around points of potential water ingress. As such you need to try on a few suits, and ideally test them out in the water. If you don't get it right you may find yourself among the many unhappy souls that are frustrated with their purchase and feel they have no alternative but to buy a pricey dry suit. Temp, depth, and environment (wrecks, drifts, zebra mussels, etc) and budget are several other considerations that can not be ignored as well.

In any event, a couple of guys I dive with have the Hollis Neo Tek and are very pleased with overall performance. And I also know a couple of guys who rave about their Henderson Aqualoc and Fourth Element suits.

Good luck.

 

[scottwilson1]

I'm in need of a warmer suit and these two seem to fit the bill, I'm just not sure which to get. What are your guy's thoughts assuming price is the same for both?


Bare: Bare 8/7mm Men's Velocity Semi-Dry Hooded Full Suit


Hollis: Hollis Neo Tek Men's Semidry 8/7/6mm Suit

I have the Hollis LOVE it - very easy to get into , keeps me warm in 40F + below that gets chilly - pockets are amazing - it is very strechy material so maybe get a size lower then you would normally
i thought mine would be snug with sizing chart they have but no could have gone down a size

 

[spectrum]

Thoughts? My first one was don't say "torn" and drysuit" in the same sentence.

 

[HamTrainChickenLaser]

I would say fit and comfort are more important than features. A little too tight or a little too loose or little bit of chafing will make a bigger difference that the type of stitch used. The utility pockets look useful, though.

For a guy in northern Ohio who wants to dive quarries here but is losing weight, this sounds like a dealbreaker if neither too big nor too small are tolerable. But do you mean so tight that it hurts or my circulation is cut off? LOL. Or buy one that is tight with the knowledge that it will fit well "soon enough"?? It could be a year before I am at my ideal weight.

 

[rjack321]

I'm in need of a warmer suit and these two seem to fit the bill, I'm just not sure which to get. What are your guy's thoughts assuming price is the same for both?

​

Bare: Bare 8/7mm Men's Velocity Semi-Dry Hooded Full Suit


Hollis: Hollis Neo Tek Men's Semidry 8/7/6mm Suit

I have the Hollis. It works for long (3-4hr) dives in Mexico caves.

I works for very short (~30mins) dives in actual cold water (45-50F), as long as they are fairly shallow <60ft. Below 60ft there is too much compression and its cold. At least for me it needs a 3mm vest underneath to be reasonable in the torso insulation

 

[HamTrainChickenLaser]

I have the Hollis. It works for long (3-4hr) dives in Mexico caves.

I works for very short (~30mins) dives in actual cold water (45-50F), as long as they are fairly shallow <60ft. Below 60ft there is too much compression and its cold.

Did you ever try on a Bare or was there something about it that seemed like it wasn't for you?

 

[rjack321]

Did you ever try on a Bare or was there something about it that seemed like it wasn't for you?

I've never tried the Bare, I have zero basis to compare. I only dive wet in extremis. And semi-dry is very much a wet dive

 

[BoltSnap]

I have the Hollis. It works for long (3-4hr) dives in Mexico caves.

I works for very short (~30mins) dives in actual cold water (45-50F), as long as they are fairly shallow <60ft. Below 60ft there is too much compression and its cold. At least for me it needs a 3mm vest underneath to be reasonable in the torso insulation

You are talking about the 7/8mm version or the 3/4mm version?

 

[rjack321]

You are talking about the 7/8mm version or the 3/4mm version?

The 8mm torso version is what I have. Its super nice for long dives (3hrs) in Mexican caves. It's fairly soft and compressible so >60ft is noticeably colder. I occasionally use it in actual cold water (Canadian caves) when a drysuit won't work. It's cold.