Bare Reactive II 7mm Wetsuit Review
Was my first wetsuit and served me well for cold quarry dives, though it was sometimes too warm in summer. It fits perfectly and is extremely warm, but I no longer use it often now that I dive in a drysuit. I keep it as a backup, but I wouldn’t pay the premium for the Reactive line again.
Overall Score: 7.8 / 10 (Strong)
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Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely warm for local cold water dives | Too warm for summer quarry use |
| Excellent fit and seal with XLT sizing | High price for what it offers |
| Still usable as a drysuit backup | Bulky and slower to dry than thinner suits |
Why I Chose Bare Reactive II 7mm
This was the first wetsuit I ever bought. I wanted something that would keep me warm in Midwest quarry diving, and the 7mm Reactive II line was marketed as one of the top thermal options Bare offered. Since I already knew Bare's XLT sizing worked for me, I felt confident in the fit. It did its job well, but over time I found it to be overkill for summer dives and eventually shifted to a drysuit for colder dives instead.
Performance in the Water
- Fit: As with all my Bare suits, the XLT size fits me perfectly. Great seal, no flushing, and solid mobility for a thick wetsuit.
- Warmth: It’s a very warm suit. Sometimes too warm. But it was never insufficient, even on long bottom times in the quarry.
- Usage Shift: I don’t dive it much anymore. The 5mm and drysuit now cover the range better. I keep this as a backup for drysuit diving days.
- Bulk: Like most 7mm suits, it’s thick and slow to dry. It’s not something I enjoy packing or wearing in the summer.
Verdict
For its original purpose, this suit worked well. It kept me warm and got me through my early cold water dives without issue. But the price premium for the Reactive II line wasn’t really worth it, in hindsight. I wouldn’t pay extra for this version again, but I still keep it around as a just-in-case backup.
Would I buy it again? No. Not at full price. I’d look for a lower-cost 7mm option or go straight to a drysuit.
Deep Dive into the Score
Scoring System: Each category is scored out of 10 and weighted by importance. This model is used consistently across all gear reviews for transparency.
| Category | Score (0–10) | Weight | Weighted Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Function & Performance | 9 | 30% | 2.7 |
| Ease of Use | 7 | 20% | 1.4 |
| Versatility | 6 | 15% | 0.9 |
| Durability & Build Quality | 9 | 15% | 1.35 |
| Value | 6 | 10% | 0.6 |
| Brand Trust & Transparency | 8 | 10% | 0.8 |
| Total | 7.75 | ||
Rounded Display Score: 7.8
Deep Dive Score Explanations
- Function & Performance – 9: In terms of thermal protection and sealing, it delivers. But it’s heavy and situational.
- Ease of Use – 7: Thicker neoprene makes donning and drying more of a chore than thinner suits.
- Versatility – 6: Great for one range of temperatures, but overkill or unneeded outside of that narrow band.
- Durability & Build Quality – 9: No breakdowns or seam failures after years of use and storage.
- Value – 6: High cost for benefits that didn’t justify the Reactive II premium in the long run.
- Brand Trust & Transparency – 8: Bare’s sizing and reliability remain consistent across their suits.