BARE Blackwing

BARE Blackwing

Features

The Blackwing is a back-buoyancy BC with a traditional double bladder air cell. The internal polyurethane bladder is covered with 1000 denier nylon for durability. Elastic straps keep the wing contained for a slim profile and minimal drag. Like the Blackjack, the Blackwing sports multiple pockets, mounting grommets and D-rings ready for everything from a deco bottle to a DPV, plus additional quick-release buckles on each side for extra cargo. A quick-dump integrated weight system and rear trim pockets balance out the load.

Performance

A wide adjustment range in the chest, shoulders and waist, plus a fully padded backpack makes for a snug, comfy fit. The chest area is uncluttered, but freedom has its cost; the weight pouches are positioned pretty far back on the rig, so it's near impossible to load ballast while wearing the BC. However, the large T handles on the weight pouches are easy to grab and hold onto when it comes time to ditch. The cargo pockets are also located slightly back, so the zipper closures can be hard to find. The upside to this design is an unencumbered chest area that feels quite liberating during a dive. The power inflator is old-style and a bit large, which can be awkward in small hands, but buttons are responsive making pinpoint buoyancy control an easy task.

Bottom Line

This was our least favorite BC of the Bare line. It's not a bad BC, it offers lots of lift and accommodations for some serious temperate water diving, it's just, well, uninspired. To attract attention in today's competitive BC market, it takes more than just getting the job done.