First impressions of the BARE Velocity Ultra 2.0 Semi-Dry
First impression: This is a serious wetsuit. The BARE Velocity Ultra 2.0 looks sleek but substantial. The integrated hood and torso feel heavily insulated, thanks to the Omnired Infrared lining. The front-entry zipper is a standout feature here, giving the suit a modern look and an immediate usability advantage over back-zip competitors.
The interior of the suit is lined with a nylon fabric that makes a noticeable difference when getting in and out of it. You don’t get the typical fight of trying to force your feet through tight openings while the neoprene grips and resists. Instead, the nylon lining allows the suit to slide on more easily.
Another detail that stands out is how the suit feels when it’s already wet. Unlike most neoprene wetsuits that deliver a cold shock on second dives, the Velocity Ultra 2.0’s interior retains a sense of warmth.
That added comfort makes a big difference when hopping back in the water for your next dive. It also reduces the resistance you typically experience when putting on a thick wetsuit, making gearing up smoother and faster—a lot of the same comfort you get with the Hollis Neotek.
This suit feels lighter, easier to move in, and more anatomically correct. It sets a high bar for divers seeking performance without the stiffness of traditional semi-dry wetsuits.
Test & performance: cold-water diving
We tested the Velocity Ultra 2.0 in cold water ranging from 50–57 F (10–14 C) over multiple dives. The suit performed exceptionally well at keeping out cold water.
The Omnired lining in the torso and hood stood out immediately. It offered warmth for our tester beyond typical neoprene interiors, even when other divers were shivering between dives. Water movement inside the suit was almost nonexistent, thanks to Skin-2-Seal wrist and ankle seals and the 2 mm internal pullover bib.
The front-entry zipper allowed us to get in and out quickly without assistance, and despite initial stiffness, it loosened up by the third dive. The spine/kidney padding made tank mounting more comfortable, especially when using a backplate and wing.
Durability & Build Quality
The Velocity Ultra 2.0 feels like a rugged suit. Seams are glued and blind-stitched with BARE’s Secure-lock construction, and high-wear areas like the knees are reinforced with PROTEKT material. After over a dozen dives, the suit still showed no signs of excessive wear.
Ease of Use, Comfort & Performance
The Velocity Ultra 2.0 strikes an impressive balance between comfort, functionality, and ease of use. From the moment you suit up, the updated design elements start to show their value. The anatomical cut and full-stretch neoprene make the suit surprisingly easy to move in for its thickness. The front-entry zipper allows you to gear up and zip in without help.
One of the most appreciated upgrades in the 2.0 version is the addition of a thigh cargo pocket. It’s large enough to stash a backup light, slate, or even wetnotes and features a secure Velcro flap with a built-in D-ring. It’s a subtle but incredibly useful improvement that adds real practicality to the suit.
Underwater, the Velocity Ultra 2.0 performs as confidently as it wears on land. The integrated hood seals comfortably around the face without feeling tight, and the Skin-2-Seal wrist and ankle seals do an excellent job minimizing water intrusion. The suit remains flexible and comfortable even after prolonged dives, and we experienced zero flushing even during descents, kicks, or repositioning.
The internal 2 mm bib layer adds another layer of warmth and reduces cold water exposure to the chest. Combined with the Omnired lining, the suit delivers sustained warmth and comfort throughout cold-water dives in the 50–57 F (10–14 C) range.
Whether on the first or second dive of the day, it offers a noticeably warmer experience than standard neoprene suits. The hood fits snugly without choking, and there was no flushing, even during descents or playing around. Sealing performance is still top-tier for a semi-dry.
BARE Velocity Ultra 2.0 vs. Hollis Neotek v2 and others
How does this suit stack up against some of its competitors?
Original Velocity Ultra (1.0): Construction, neoprene thickness, and Omnired panel placement remain the same. The 2.0 refreshes the look with water‑anime sleeve graphics and, on the 8/7 mm model, adds a handy thigh cargo pocket with Velcro flap and D‑ring.
Hollis Neotek v2: This semi-dry is priced almost the same and also offers a front‑zip. The Neotek’s thicker, compression‑resistant neoprene and integrated neck dam keep water out but make the suit heavier and less flexible. Its plush inner lining makes donning easy once unzipped, yet overall mobility still favors the lighter, stretchier Velocity Ultra 2.0.
Apeks ThermiQ ADV: Offers superb warmth, a quick‑dry lining, and a back zip. The Velocity Ultra is easier to get into, provides a wider size range, and feels less restrictive underwater. Warmth and feel in the water are very similar.
Price/Quality Ratio
At $679.95, the BARE Velocity Ultra 2.0 sits right in the middle of its closest competitors. The Hollis Neotek v2 is slightly cheaper at $629.95, while the Apeks ThermiQ ADV comes in at $749.
While the BARE isn’t the most budget-friendly, it offers a standout blend of flexibility, sealing performance, and features like the front-entry zipper and thigh pocket—making it a solid value for cold-water divers looking for usability without compromise.
Given the quality of construction, excellent thermal retention, and well-thought-out features, it offers strong value for money.
Do we recommend the BARE Velocity Ultra 2.0 Semi-Dry?
Yes. For divers who want top-tier warmth and comfort in a flexible semi-dry design, the Velocity Ultra 2.0 delivers. It’s especially well-suited for divers in the 50–57 F (10–14 C) range who want an easier alternative to drysuits without giving up thermal protection.
While not as modular as some might prefer, the excellent fit, performance, and features make this one of the best semi-dry wetsuits available today.
Specs & Features
| Material | Progressive full-stretch neoprene |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 8mm torso/7mm on arms and legs |
| Zip | Front-entry cross-chest YKK AquaSeal plastic dry zipper |
| Seams | Double-glued with secure-lock seams |
| Seals | Skin-2-Seal at wrists and ankles |
| Lining | Omnired Infrared Technology (torso and hood) |
| Hood | Integrated, with Omnired lining |
| Internal Layer | 2 mm neoprene pullover bib |
| Padding | 10 mm spine and kidney pad |
| Fit Design | Anatomically correct 3D pattern |
| Sizes | Fifteen options, including short and tall |
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