For those of us who have been surfing for a long time, the modern wetsuits are so much warmer and comfortable, that all these wetsuits seem great. Most companies are making good quality suits. The technology has come a long way. Couple of things to keep in mind.
1) You get what you pay for. Most companies have budget models and top-end
2) What is important in a surf wetsuit may not be as important in a kite suit and vice versa.
If you ever paddled out in a head high cold day, two things happen. One, your arms and shoulders feel on fire and you would gladly sacrifice some warmth for lightness and flexibility. Two, as you paddle through a wave depending on the neck and zipper design water flushes you.
So the movement has been to make suits more flexible, and that comes at a cost to you. In the past years this has been done with more flexible and better neoprenes, and I will tell you compared to the old days they are far more flexible. So it looks like O'neil is using what they call Technobutter 2, and that is more expensive than the ones without it in their lineup.
http://www.surfersvillage.com/content/w ... nobutter-2
The other thing that makes suits stiff is in the traditional stitching. Historically seams were stitched, and there is little give in the stitched areas. So the movement has been to reduces the number of panels that require stitching, and "weld" the seams instead of traditional stitches. These welds provide more stretch. The weld and type of weld is a cost difference among those suits in the lineup.
To avoid flushing a lot of companies have done different things including adding barriers and different zipper designs. For surfers the front zip is popular because as you dive through a wave the back zips can flush far easier. However, this is not a big problem for kiters and these suits can be much harder to put on. That is another difference between those suits.
Surf suits need to be more durable than kite suits. You are laying or sitting on a board. To be more durable they are lined with nylon over the neoprene. Although this provides durability it holds water. As wind blows across the suit the water evaporates taking energy, and making you colder. This is why wind sport wetsuits are often smooth skin, to dry faster. You will see some differences in the amount of smooth skin.
Another difference to consider is that in kiting you are standing most of the time and water pools around the legs ("elephant legs"). Wind sport suits usually have a way to drain, surf suits will not.
So the differences in these suits is the type of neoprene, type of seams, zipper design, internal lining. It looks to me that some of them are, model improvements of previous years. The Psychofreak looks like a superfreak with the new Technobutter and welded seams instead of glued and blindstiched.
So if it is a pure kiting wetsuit, you may not have to get the top end most flexible suit to be satisfied. It is not as important as kiting. You may want to look at the faster drying suit (more smoothskin) which is more important for windsports than surfing. You may want a traditional back zip because the ease of getting in out overshadows any flushing problems (unless you are still body dragging a lot). Also these are all surf specific suits, so you may or may not experience "elephant legs". Some people add a whole at the ankles if this is a problem.
One of the biggest things is fit. That is one of the big reasons there is a lot of personal preferences because some companies fit a certain body type better. Like running shoes. That has been another big advancement in suits with precision cuts and premolding of panels. There are some brands that fit me like a glove, where others I seem to be between sizes or are baggie in areas or too tight in areas. To tight is uncomfortable, and baggie is cold. So before picking a brand, see if they fit well.
So try to avoid the adjectives, but here are their descriptions. Bottom line you can sort by cost. The most expensive will have the better neoprene, stitching, zippers, and linings. You just got to determine, how much you need.
PSYCHOFREAK 4.5/3.5MM
NEW TECHNOBUTTER 2: O’Neill’s exclusive and improved evolution of our original TechnoButter, the world’s most advanced neoprene. TECHNOBUTTER 2 offers the same lightweight quick-drying performance, but now it’s more durable with improved velcro resistance.
Features:
1 Double Super Seal Neck
2 Double SuperSeam Weld (Watertight Stitchless Technology)
3 Technobutter-Air & Technobutter Neoprene
4 Super Minimal Seam Design
5 Super Seal Cuffs
6 Krypto Knee Padz
7 External Key Pocket with Loop
8 Plasma Wrist and Ankle Seals
9 Patented Z.E.N. Zip Closure System with Drainhole
10 Contortionist Seamless Shoulder
11 Strategic Seamless Paddle Zones
12 LSD: Lumbar Seamless Design
SUPERFREAK 4/3MM
The insane SuperFreak. Now warmer than ever, the SuperFreak is built with FluidFlex™ Firewall in the Front Chest and Back. The SuperFreak keeps the water out and keeps you warm like no other wetsuit ever offered at this price level. The Superfreak is also available in hooded and Women’s models. More freaks of nature from your friends at O’Neill.
The O'Neill SuperFreak features:
· 100% UltraFlex DS
· F.U.Z.E Closure System
· Minimal Seam Design
· Glued and Blindstitch Seam Construction (GBS)
· Critically taped seam junctions
· Double Super Seal Neck
· Krypto Kneepad
· New Super Glide Zipper
· New Integrated External Key Pocket (on thigh)
· Strategic Seamless paddle zones
PYROTECH 4/3MM
O’Neill’s Pyrotech Series combines our exclusive TechnoButter neoprene with Technobutter-Air Firewall insulation, Single Fluid Seam Weld and a F.U.Z.E Closure Sytem. Lighter, warmer, more insulating and quick drying with improved ease of entry. Pyrotech is the latest advancement in cold water wetsuit technology from the leaders in innovation for over 60 years.
The O'Neill PyroTech FEATURES:
1 Double Super Seal Neck
2 F.U.Z.E. Front Upper Zip Entry with Code Red Zip and Drainholes
3 Single Fluid Seam Weld (Watertight Technology)
4 Technobutter & Technobutter-Air Firewall Neoprene
5 Super Seal Cuffs
6 Krypto Knee Padz
7 External Key Pocket with Loop
8 Plasma Wrist and Ankle Seals
9 LSD - Lumbar Seamless Design
PSYCHO 3 4/3MM
The Psycho 3 features the new exclusive TechnoButter 2 which is the most durable, lightweight, quick drying neoprene on the market and now with added velcro resistance. Technobutter 2-Air Firewall in the Chest and back and Double Super Seam Weld will keep you warm and loose. The Psycho 3 evolution from Area 52 continues to be an industry leader and keeps you performing at the top of your game.
The O'Neill Psycho 3 Features:
1 Double Super Seal Neck
2 Double SuperSeam Weld (Watertight Stitchless Technology)
3 Technobutter 2 Neoprene
4 Technobutter 2-Air Firewall Neoprene
5 Super Seal Cuffs
6 Krypto Knee Padz
7 External Key Pocket with Loop
8 Plasma Wrist and Ankle Seals
9 Patented Z.E.N. Zip Closure System with Drainhole
10 Contortionist Seamless Shoulder
11 Strategic Seamless Paddle Zones