Short answer: the Mystic Star is the suit to buy if you want a full-featured kiting and winging wetsuit without paying for premium neoprene. Mystic builds it from MX2 stretch neoprene with Fox fleece in the chest and back, glued-and-blind-stitched seams with junction taping, and the Aquaflush drain system. As of this post the men's 2025 back-zip runs $276 (3/2) to $300 (5/3), the front-zip $312 to $324. The Majestic, Mystic's top suit, is $528 in a 4/3. The Star gives up stretch, not features.
What you get for the money
Mystic's own spec sheets, line by line. The Star has been in the range for more than a decade; the 2025 version was redesigned in 3D and picked up Aquaflush.
| Star 2025 (back-zip) | Star 2025 (front-zip) | Majestic 2026 (front-zip) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neoprene | MX2 | MX2 | Yamamoto 40 panels, Channel flex |
| Lining | Fox fleece, chest and back | Fox fleece, chest, back and upper leg (5/3) | Fox Fleece Ultra |
| Seams | GBS with junction taping | GBS with junction taping | GBS, FusionFlex, seamless waist |
| Entry | YKK back-zip, overhead backup shield, Glideskin double neck | Front-zip, Aquabarrier | Front-zip |
| Water management | Aquaflush | Aquaflush | Aquaflush 2.0 |
| Knees | Hex-tech kneepads | Hex-tech kneepads | Back knee emboss |
| Men's price, as of this post | $276 (3/2), $288 (4/3), $300 (5/3) | $312 (4/3), $324 (5/3) | $517 (3/2), $528 (4/3), $539 (5/3) |
Read the table top to bottom and the pattern is clear: the Star and the Majestic share the drain system, the sealed seams and the fleece idea. What the extra $230 buys is Yamamoto neoprene, which Mystic uses for stretch and lighter weight, plus the seamless waist and the Ultra fleece. Owners of the Majestic describe it as a suit that does not feel as thick as its rating. Nobody says that about the Star.
Which thickness
Thickness follows water temperature, not air temperature. These are the bands our gear advisor uses, the same ones printed on the wetsuit size page:
| Water temperature | Suit | Star to buy |
|---|---|---|
| 75°F and up | shorty, top or boardshorts | Star Shortarm 3/2, $264 |
| 65–75°F | 3/2 | Star 3/2 back-zip, $276 |
| 58–65°F | 4/3 | Star 4/3 back-zip, $288 |
| 50–58°F | 5/3 with boots and hood | Star 5/3 back-zip, $300 |
| below 50°F | 5/3 or 6/5 double front-zip, 5–7 mm boots, hood, gloves | Star 5/3 front-zip, $324, with boots and hood; or step up to the Majestic 5/4 |
Kiting and winging sit you in the wind, out of the water, for most of a session, so a cold, windy day on warm water still calls for the next step up. If you ride Florida, the Gulf or the Carolinas, the 3/2 covers most of the year and the 4/3 covers the cold months. The Northeast, the Great Lakes and the Pacific are 4/3 and 5/3 country.
Back-zip or front-zip
The back-zip Star costs $24 less in the same thickness and is easier to get into on your own. Mystic puts an overhead backup shield behind the zip to block water coming in at the neck. The front-zip Star has no zip across the back, so less water enters when you crash, and its 5/3 adds Fox fleece to the upper legs. If you ride cold water and fall a lot, which describes everyone learning, the front-zip earns its $24. If you ride a 3/2 in warm water, the back-zip is the sensible one.
Size: measure, do not guess
Mystic's men's chart has thirteen sizes because it adds Tall (ST, MT, LT, XLT) and Short-wide (MS, LS) cuts to the usual letters. Chest and height decide it:
| Size | Height | Chest | Waist |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 5'7"–5'9" (170–175 cm) | 35"–37" (89–94 cm) | 29"–31" |
| M | 5'9"–5'11" (176–182 cm) | 37"–39" (94–99 cm) | 31"–33" |
| MT | 6'1"–6'3" (185–191 cm) | 37"–39" (94–99 cm) | 31"–33" |
| L | 5'11"–6'2" (182–188 cm) | 39"–41" (99–104 cm) | 33"–35" |
| LT | 6'2"–6'5" (189–195 cm) | 39"–41" (99–104 cm) | 33"–35" |
| XL | 6'1"–6'4" (186–196 cm) | 41"–44" (104–111 cm) | 35"–38" |
The full chart, XS to XXXL and the women's chart, is on the size page. Riders who own several Mystic lines report that the entry suits are cut a little roomier than the Majestic, that the neoprene relaxes after five to ten sessions, and that the Tall sizes are the reason lean, tall riders end up in Mystic at all. Buy snug. We do true size exchanges on unworn suits, so a wrong guess costs you a week, not the suit.
Honest limit: there is no independent review of the Star in our data. What is above is Mystic's spec, Mystic's chart, and the fit patterns riders report across the Mystic range. MX2 is Mystic's entry neoprene; it is warm and durable, but a Star 5/3 will feel like a 5/3, and a rider who wants to forget they are wearing a suit should read the Majestic review. Stock is thin in some sizes: as of this post the men's 4/3 back-zip has S, M, MT, L, LS and XL, the 5/3 back-zip has S to XXL, and the women's 2025 line is down to a handful of sizes. If your size is not there, our gear advisor will tell you what is.
FAQ
Is the Mystic Star warm enough for kiting?
In the right thickness, yes. Mystic lines the chest and back with Fox fleece and seals the seams, which is what keeps a kiter warm standing in the wind. Use the water-temperature table above and go one step thicker if your days are windy and cold.
Star or Majestic?
The Star has the same drain system and sealed seams for about half the price. The Majestic adds Yamamoto neoprene for stretch and warmth per millimetre. If you ride twice a week in cold water, the Majestic is worth it. If you ride a few months a year, buy the Star and spend the difference on boots and a hood.
Does the Star come in women's and kids' sizes?
Yes. The women's 2025 Star comes in 3/2, 4/3 and 5/3 back-zip and double front-zip ($264 to $312 as of this post), and the junior and kids' 3/2 flatlock Stars are $132 to $156.