Just wondering what the views are on whether the format/design of the harness can increase the risk of back injury?
I've been using a Dakine Fusion (seat) - great harness, but somewhat restrictive.
Heard great things about the Dakine Nitrous (shorts) but wondering if the lack of padding at the back might increase the risk of injuring your back?
If you have a bad lower back,stick to the seat harness.
As for waiste or short harness causing more back injuries.....good question
Never been into seat harnesses but due to short arms and large depower kites I decided to try some nitrous boardies. Today was my first session and they certainly provide a better arm reach however they feel a bit strange after 20+ years of waist and chest harnesses.
They aren't as comfortable as my Dakine impact vest as they don't have a lot of padding but sitting at home now there is none of the lower back pain I usually get after kiting.
Will have to have a few more sessions to give a definitive opinion.
ive had bad lower back problems for years and my mystic waist harness doesn't hurt my back at all
I had back surgery around 2000.
I started off with a waist harness and then switched to a fusion (the waist harness was not a good one and rode up a lot).
The Fusion is great harness but after one session I had to stop using it, as it was creating upward force on my spine and therfore causing pain.
Now I have a Pro Limit waist harness, which is great.
The thing I like about a waist harness (apart from the lack of back pain) is the ability to slide it around to the side when riding toeside (Gybing) on a directional board.
I have been in the same boat - starting on a cheap waist that stopped me from breathing as it rode up so high - 
then to a dakine fusion which was really good and I still use it in overpowered conditions - tried some other quality waist harnesses which were ok but still not great and then I got a pair of the LF Boardshort Harness and they absolutely rock - a real mix between seat and waist with little to no restriction when going toeside or anything like that... their only downfall is I am technically wearing boardies over my wetsuit come winter time 
