Here is a brief description of tallis types in a nutshell.
The Prime AA is the basic "lighter-weight" 100% wool Tallis. It is made of
fine Israeli wool and manufactured in Israel, to the slightly more modern
style of stripes and side fringes.
The Tallis Hameshubach is the "Deluxe" version of the Prime AA Tallis but is
a bit heavier. It has added stain-resistant treatment, and some finer minor
enhancements.
Both the Prima AA and the Tallis Hameshubach come with a white-on-white
"leaf" pattern atara (neck band).
Both the Prima AA and the Tallis Hameshubach come with single-tied side
fringes.
Both the Prima AA and the Tallis Hameshubach come with no lining and no side
bands, and come standard with "meyuchad" (very basic but kosher) tzitzis.
These standard tzitzis are 100% kosher, but are machine made strings, hand
tied onto the garment.
Some Optional upgrades are as follows:
Cotton partial lining $8 (Almost every tallis purchased by
individuals is purchased with this lining. It comes with no lining because many are purchased for synagogue tallis racks where they do not use linings.
)
Side bands $8 (Also very popular)
Middle band $8
Avodas Yad Thin $8 (deluxe genuine hand-made strings)
Avodas Yad THICK $12 (deluxe genuine hand-made strings, but much
heavier. Highly recommended on larger talleisim.)
The cotton lining serves the following purposes:
Cotton against your neck and/or face is much more comfortable than wool.
Cotton partial lining absorbs body oils keeping them off the wool of the
tallis. It is easy to change the lining after a few years.
Cotton partial lining adds much strength to the tallis and stabilizes
the wool, thereby increasing the Tallis's lifespan.
The Side Bands are pieces of cotton that "extend" from the partial lining to
the corners pieces. Like the lining, these strips are sewn on the inside of
the tallis. This add much strength to the tallis and stabilizes it also.
Most men have a tendency to hold onto their tallis's front edge, and
sometimes unknowingly hanging the weight of their arms and hands from the
tallis front edge. These side bands prevent this weight from pulling the
wool apart.
The middle band is touted by some as helping with a first-fold protection.
It is sewn onto the outside of the tallis. I make no such claims, but just
say that the middle band is a nice "decorative" effect.
The Echt Turkish Tallis (Echt meaning "genuine") is the heaviest-weight
Tallis of all. It is made of Genuine Turkish wool, and manufactured in
Israel in the Original Turkish stripe pattern with the original double side
fringe style. This is the heaviest wool tallis, and it by far the favorite
tallis in most Chassidic groups. The Echt Turkish tallis comes with
double-knotted side fringes, where two groups of strings and knotted
together, leaving a long amount free, then the resulting free ends and again
knotted to an adjacent group. This ends up a richer, and fancier side
fringe. This is the traditional Turkish side fringes.
The KMO Turkish Tallis (kmo meaning "similar to") is a compromise. It is
made of Israeli wool, but manufactured in Israel with the Turkish stripe
pattern. It is made heavier than any of the other Israeli Talleisim except
the Echt Turkish. While it is lighter in weight than the Echt Turkish, it
is heavier than all the other Talleisim. It is a heavier than the regular
Tallis Hameshubach, but lighter than the Echt Turkish. The KMO Turkish
Tallis does NOT have the traditional Turkish side fringes.
Both the Echt Turkish and the KMO Turkish tallis come with NO ATARA at all.
This is because many people who purchase the Turkish-style talleisim
purchase the silver ataras, and there is no need for them to pay for the
included cloth atara. A cloth atara, similar to the Prime AA, can be added
for $12
The "Echt Turkish Tallis HaMeshubach" has the stain-resistant treatment, and
other minor upgrades and adds $20 to the cost of the Echt Turkish tallis.
Both the Echt Turkish and the KMO Turkish talleisim come automatically with
lining and side bands included. Middle band can still be added, etc.