Rider: Advanced
Style: Bit of everything
Weather: 16-25knts
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: shop
My Comments:
I have been riding the new 2011 ION Apex Harness for the last week and im super impressed by the Apex.
I ride a small size.
In general we have got a lot of riders that have had problems with harnesses rubbing and being uncomfortable after long kiting sessions (3+ hours) especially in strong winds with a lot of boosting where the harness has most tension and impact on your body (waist/lower back/hips/ribs).
The Apex fits my waist perfectly! The power belt is strong and got big velcro bits on it and it feels really nice when you put it on.
The harness lines up nicely between my lat muscles, my rib cage and hip bones and still gives enough room for movement.
The harness has an overall light feel, almost like your not wearing a harness at all.
Inside the back of the harness they've put a 3D foam that lays straight into the lower back muscles and gives my lower back a lof of support which is great because i dont get a sore back after long hours riding. It feels like the harness sucks into my lower back. They call the inside of harness X-Spine/Cross link construction meaning that harness gives you max support with high wearing comfort. Works for me.
The harness doesnt move at all when riding hard and is still comfy when fully tightened on, no umcomfortable pressure points.
The soft edges (hip protectors/ neoprene foamy bits) round off the overall comfort of the harness.
The Spreader bar is big and closes up nicely on both sides when tightening up. It has two straps running from top and bottom of harness into the spreader bar which puts a consistent tension and pull around your waist when you tighten it.
No pivotal movement of the spreader bar. Hook has a good shape and is not too long - i personally dont like big hooks because they shift the pressure point further away from you. The Clip system to lock spreader bar in is easy to use but has plastic bits to push the lock down - hope they will not break after a while or if misused.
Graphic design is clean and no plastic bits.
Hey Waxy,
Here's a pic of the silver one, also in black and red. The harny is actually a 3D shape to begin with in that it is curved in position before you put it on. It really is a very nice harney and doesn't move.
These would be ideal for most riders but not for those who want a harness to slide and rotate around your body ie hooked in surf riding.
Cheers,
DM
I have the 2010 ion apex. After 1 years use it is still in brand new condition. I think it is really comfortable, but still has support where you need it. It hardly moves at all. I am very happy with my purchase.
AKSonline :
Hi Flying high,
A good harness for surf riding whilst remaining hooked in needs to be able to swivel or rotate slightly around your body to align with the kite direction, as the pull from the kite should be coming from your hip, not your navel area.
The Flying Objects "Felix" is what I have been using, and even the flight control will work and also the ION Hummer should be pretty good too. Any harness that is heavily 3D formed and uses a tight constriction style of comfortable fit will be more difficult to rotate.
It can be done with these type of harnesses also but it just takes extra effort to align the harny with the kite to prevent the torsional effect of the kite.
Hope this explains it.
Regards,
DM
super comfortable!!
