Bare Evoke - Review 2023

What You Need to Know About the BARE Revel and Elate Wetsuits

A solid wetsuit that was among the best actually got some much improved new features. Between the Omni-Red lining, the graphene neoprene and the skin-to-skin seals, the Evoke is an amazingly warm and comfortable wetsuit.

Water intrusion is minimized while heat transference distributes warmth around in the suit to make a balanced body buffer.

The placement of the seams and the addition of zippers at ankles, wrists and neck make movement and functionality with a BCD an impressive bit of design and effect.

This is a suit designed for doing longer dives–with booties and gloves optional–at temperatures between 45 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the thickness of the suit.

It’s not a cheap suit. On the contrary, it’s a suit that’ll provide the wearer with an appreciation for top-quality scuba equipment.

Material

BARE has used a proprietary blend of layered high-stretch neoprene with high pile/low pile lining for an extremely flexible and comfortable fit. The graphene neoprene has become more sustainable sourced and continues the success of previous suits, including the Elate and Revel.

The company touts their “anatomically correct” 3D fitting (more on that below) as the process for putting these materials into the Evoke.

The whole concept of the Omni-Red technology revolves around using “wasted” body heat to equally distribute it around inside the suit, saving energy and extending bottom time.

There’s a smooth lining and the cuffs and ankle seals are hemmed with soft neoprene for secure seals and a pretty nice glide-on experience. Combined with the extra-long zipper at the back, donning and doffing the suit is a breeze.

At the knees and elbows, there’s a NeoTek padding that feels like complex stitching on the outside while super soft on the inside.

Anatomically Correct 3D Pattern

Basing their form on the functionality–especially maneuverability–of sports clothes and yoga attire, the Evoke proves that a unisex suit just doesn’t do it every time. The body-hugging, super stretch of the material gives room where needed and contracts accordingly too. In our experience, and in our opinion, it provides a quite flattering effect on the body.

The Revel and Elate have been designed using a new anatomically correct pattern which gives the suits a three-dimensional fit throughout. This is especially true for the area around the neck and shoulders where it helps to reduce pressure.

Combine this 3D design with the neoprene/laminate blend material, and you get a body-hugging wetsuit that’s very comfortable to wear.

Collar Design

Many wetsuit collars are uncomfortable, especially if they’re bulky or press against the neck or chin. This is particularly irksome at the surface before and after a dive. BARE added a zipper to improve comfort and to make pre-diving and intervals just a little bit more pleasant. It’s a noticeable improvement that reflects input from divers and research from their own stable of female designers.

You close the collar using the velcro tab, and there’s a smooth-skin lining on the inside for additional comfort. There’s also an integrated suitsaver that prevents the velcro tab from getting snagged on the wetsuit.

With the soft, flexible and elastic neoprene seal, water intrusion is minimal.

Knee pads

The knees and elbows are noticeably tougher on the exterior of the suit. The patches seem thicker, yet they are also seemingly more flexible. When bending that extra flexibility is a clear bonus for simple yet awkward movements.

Although they’re so slim-line, the knee pads are extremely hard-wearing and didn’t seem to sustain any wear and tear at all after multiple dives from boats and different shore terrains.

Seals and Seams

The seams are double glued with a blind stitch. At no point in testing, does the suit show any signs of degradation that would hint at breaking down any time soon. At the ankle and wrist, BARE uses what they call Skin 2 Seal enclosures that really do seem to hold water out quite effectively.

That’s not to say water stays out, but it keeps it from constantly and quickly flowing in with the cold.

Zipper

These wetsuits are fitted with a heavy-duty, extra-long back zipper. BARE has extended the length of the zipper slightly which makes it much easier to get the suit on and off again. The zipper strap is also sufficiently long so you don’t have to curse your lack of arm length or flexibility too much.

The inner flap at the back zipper also slows the rate of water penetration, allowing your body to regulate the inner-suit temperature a little easier.

While the back zipper is a PK zipper, the ankle and wrist zips are the more well-known, quality YKK.

Conclusion

BARE has improved upon this much-love wetsuit. The Evoke is a worthy wetsuit for female divers that want comfort and durability delivered by providing warmth and flexibility.

Everything about this suit demonstrates an attention to detail gleaned from experience. BARE claims that an all female design team is responsible for this product. The way it accommodates body shape without resistance while retaining flexibility speaks to the success of its “anatomically correct 3D fitting” technique.

The Omni Red, Graphene construction that keeps body heat from escaping while distributing it around the inside of the suit is a success enjoyed by wearers of BARE’s other suits. So, it’s a tried and tested and true technology that sports some clever improvements.

All in all, for cold water diving, it’s hard to see where women scuba divers would go wrong with this one. Certainly not for warmth and comfort. Though we didn’t mention it, we also think it’s a good looking suit that only compliments the wearer.