Women's winter neo: O'Neill Psycho Tech 6/4 in the test - robust and maximally waterproof!
Stephan Gölnitz
· 22.02.2023
When you pick up the O'Neill Psycho Tech 6/4, you can feel the high-quality, dense, firm material. This applies to the outside and the entire inner lining. It doesn't quite have the "fluffy factor" of Soöruz's thickest lining, but it feels comfortable against the skin and completely lines the entire wetsuit - you won't find a square centimetre of classic, simple black inner lining. The entire torso and bonnet are lined for extra thermal insulation. All seams are rubberised on the outside or inside for maximum sealing and protection. The rubberised seams on the outside are also neatly taped on the inside with elasticated tape. Smooth-skin material on the chest and lower back reduces wind chill by allowing water to roll off immediately.
This suit has been optimised for use in the water and not in the changing room - but you can feel this when you put it on. Although the material offers really good elasticity - once it's on - it doesn't stretch quite as much as some others when you put it on - and the rather small access hatch is also optimised for tightness, not for slipping in quickly. The same goes for the cuffs at the hands and feet. It took a little longer for our tester (165 cm/58 kg) to slip into the size 38 wetsuit, but then it fit perfectly and like a glove: A little tighter, just the way surfers like it, but without cutting off the muscles in the arms. The hood, which also has a very snug fit, is fitted with a sufficiently long ruff, allowing good freedom of movement for the head and sealing the face very well all round.
If a wetsuit fits as tightly and snugly as the O'Neill and is so well sealed, then it can't really get cold on the water. At least not because of "water damage". And the wetsuit delivers 100 per cent of what the fitting promises. Freezing? Not a chance. What is also surprising about the O'Neill is the freedom of movement it offers: during action on the water, the wetsuit is not stretched by 100 per cent in places as it is when getting dressed, and the suit meets these practical requirements in use with good stretch and very good freedom of movement from the feet to the neck. Although it is not quite as cosy and soft as a Soöruz or Prolimit, it keeps all the bulkheads closed to the maximum even under really pressurised water. Where the softer Prolimit can sometimes get a brief refreshment at the bottom of the leg, the O'Neill stays tightly sealed. If you surf in cold water, this wetsuit will keep you warm and dry!
O'Neill Psycho Tech 6/4 - the conclusion:
The O'Neill Psycho Tech 6/4 is a very warm and comfortable winter suit - once you're in it. With top features and particularly solid-looking materials. The wetsuit is slightly tighter than most other brands with the same size specification. Note: The test was carried out last winter, but the wetsuit is still in the programme!
Very dense. Warm continuous lining throughout the wetsuit, looks particularly solid.
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Not very comfortable to put on and take off.
Review O'Neill Psycho Tech 6/4 Women's Winterneo:
Technical data:
- Test model: O'Neill Psycho Tech, size US 8 (EU 38)
- Thickness: 6/4mm
- Available sizes: 4/6/6T/8/8T/10/10T/12
- Price: 479 Euro
