So I had a look today at the Dakine boardshort harness, it looks very cool, but with all things that seem like a "gimmick" what's the catch? Why don't I ever see others using them, don't want to purchase and then there's some massive flaw with them.
No gimmick's or flaws mate. There are quite a few threads on SB regarding the Nitro shorts and overall, not too many negative comments.
Bought a pair myself about 4 months ago and am extremely happy with them. They do sit a bit lower than other seat harnesses, and of course a waist harness, but once you get used to that they are fine. They are much more comfortable than my old Dakine Fusion harness. I do have a waist harness as well, but find I use the shorts more.
Like Gilly said. Love mine, a recent purchase, but much harder to ride toeside because the hook is locked in the centre. I've then brought a dynabar and am very happy with the package, but it cost quite a bit, so I'd just make sure you are happy it suits your riding style.
Have been using Nitro shorts for 7 years now, on the second pair, much prefer to a waist harness. But you do need a Dynabar sliding hook otherwise toe side and walking up the beach are harder than a waist harness.
Not sure if the quality has improved lately but, I have had two pairs and there only lasted one season:( loved the fit/comfort etc but, for the money I want at least two seasons out of a harness.
Not sure if the quality has improved lately but, I have had two pairs and there only lasted one season:( loved the fit/comfort etc but, for the money I want at least two seasons out of a harness.
Select to expand quoteKatz said..
Like Gilly said. Love mine, a recent purchase, but much harder to ride toeside because the hook is locked in the centre. I've then brought a dynabar and am very happy with the package, but it cost quite a bit, so I'd just make sure you are happy it suits your riding style.
I'll add to this comment - I too have a Dynabar on mine and it works perfect - NO PAIN, NO riding up, great for wave riding, toeside etc - no complaints.
I still have my waist harness - Pat Love Quest - and it is very good, but I use it less and less. I bought the Nitrous a few years back due to some back pain and literally it disappeared overnight. My first pair lasted 4 seasons and it is still going after a couple of minor repairs due to a slide on an Oyster bed 
. I am now on my second pair and second season, still looks new but the legs have started to fade a tiny bit.. possibly because I use it almost daily 
Cannot fault it mate. But buy the Dynabar, the latest versions are awesome, I have V2 on the old one and V7 on this one - never had any problems.
Cheers
I had some, very comfy and had the slider bar too. great combo.
and if your into wakestyle it gives you a reason to wear your board shorts over your wetsuit
Cannot say enough about Dakine shorts. Comfort. Comfort. Comfort.
Just.
Buy.
Them.
Hey Juddy,
Who stocks them in Perth? I need a new harness and these sound like the go.
Select to expand quoteseafever17 said...
Hey Juddy,
Who stocks them in Perth? I need a new harness and these sound like the go.
I got mine from KSS. Give Phil a call
I bought a pair in Feb 2013 and loved the comfort and non ride up qualities. I used them 2 months, then the season ended. I've used them since this season started (about 2 months) and the lower spreader bar sinch straps are both worn heavily. I doubt they will last till the end of this season. Although I've owned them for a 10 month duration they have only had 4 months of real use. Coincidentally I am taking them back tomorrow to see if they can be replaced on warranty. Dakine don't warrant normal wear and tear but 4 months is obviously not long enough for any harness' lifetime. My question is what would be the minimum lifespan I should expect from this item? I will be interested in Dakines' reply.
Ok ....picked a pair up today from KSS. In the face of strangely conflicting info on longevity I will flog crap out of them and see how they hold up.
I have been using these for about 8 years, the longest they have lasted is about 3 years . The shortest time is about 2 months.
Dakine kindly replaced them twice within a year with the last pair lasting the longest. They are very confortable, but I believe it is the toeside riding that exerts all the pressure onto the lowest spreader bar strap, and this in time weakens the stitching which eventually fails. I think that if these were combined with a Dynabar sliding hook this may fix the problem. You really do forget that you have these on though they are great shorts.
I should point out that I live by the sea, and am quite often out 7 days a week 3-4 hours at a time, so that could explain the short life expectancy that I have experienced.
I took my Nitrous short back to the retailer and they took pics and sent them off to Dakine. Dakine authorised them to be sent to them for 'warranty inspection'. I hope this means they will just replace them. Any way I bought a 'Dakine Pivoting Spreader Bar' to use on my (other) Nitrous shorts. The hook pivots up when the kite goes high which stops the spreader bar and pad from rotating up. I tried it today and it works perfectly. The pad stayed flat and I forgot I even had the new type of spreader bar on until I got on the beach. The only thing that I did notice was the increased comfort and easier boosting. Awesome!
The problem I had previously was heavy/premature wear on the lower spreader bar straps. This was because the spreader bar would end up facing up rather than staying flat putting excessive pressure on the lower straps. I bought the pivoting spreader bar to address this problem which it did perfectly and the other benefits were an unforseen bonus.
I had the same problem with the spreader bar
switched to a dyna bar for that reason
also the sizing of the shorts is bizaare
34 I couldn't get my legs into, 36 are like massively too big, I can never get them tight enough and they come half way down my shins
Great for up wind power.
Not as much support for the back.
I tend to alternate from nitro shorts to waist, (to give my back a rest) but 80% of the time in the nitro shorts.
Dyna bar is the go if toe side, especially in the surf. Bit more freedom.
Have had 2 seasons so far, and still going strong.
Beware, if you use the standard bar, and forget the red locking rubber clip on the bar, it will detach, and you'll end up flying the kite with the bar @ 90 degrees to you. Strange sensation.
Been using Nitro Shorts for 4 years. Very happy. Just adding to all the good stuff above. If' your arms are short, like mine, it makes the reach to your trim strap that much easier since the bar sits much lower than a waist harness.
Select to expand quotetheDoctor said..
I had the same problem with the spreader bar
switched to a dyna bar for that reason
also the sizing of the shorts is bizaare
34 I couldn't get my legs into, 36 are like massively too big, I can never get them tight enough and they come half way down my shins
i didn't realise you kited dr, first kiting related reply I've ever seen from you.
thought you just posted trash on the forums???
lol.
He just hangs out in the carpark in a lab coat with huge shorts half way down his shins.
" hey everyone! That's the Doctor!"
it's called a trench coat and I'm only at the beach carpark because they moved me on from out front of the primary school...
+1 for Dynobar and Nitro short
1st pair I bought of friend in Hawaii ( where they are very popular ) about 7 years ago. Replaced about 3years ago, though still have original.
I mainly play in the surf and find combination great ( don't unhook )
Reason I originally bought originally, was kiting at Backyards on Ohau on double overhead waves with waste harness. Went flying down the face of a monster and slipped off back of board. As I hit water, waist harness acted like sea anchor and jammed up into my chest. This cracked my sturnum ! It was rather painful...
Grant
