Rider: intermediate,
Style: Freeriding, Surf,
Hi,
So, my current harness is a cabrinha waist - it's ok, but at times it rides up too much on my chest, so what are people using or wanting to buy, and why?
Anyone got a great harness review?
Cheers
I've had a few waist harness, you try them on in the shop they feel great, you go out riding after 10 mins the up under your armpits even though you've tightened them up so y can't breathe, of all the ones I've had id say the mystic warriors are the best, but maybe a bit too good if y into waves, as some like a bit of rotation in the harness for wave riding, body shape would also play a big part
I really like the Naish Kevin Langree model harness - bought it a few months ago, feels pretty solid, bar doesn't ride up, pad is good, def a big improvement on my 3 year old Dakine Pyro!!!
Yeh you have to try them out, they all have different designs. Me, I have a belief they all ride up, even if eventually.
Seat harness with a dyna bar for me, not back aches, pulls from where it should. But that's old man eppo talking of course.
I prefer waist harness but i don't have a great build for them (small chest).
my solution was the north transformer. Its a waist harness with leg straps to hold it down. its worked very well so far.
I find a good impact vest gets rid of the riding up harness. If i take a huge fall the impact vest rides up a bit but it's not as bad as a harness around the armpits. The vest also distributes the load of the harness which makes a longer session more comfortable
Cauncy,
I ride a mystic warrior too, fit it with a dynabar or homemade slider, you'll never look back.
Mike
I,v had Mystic Warrior & Ion Hummer,s and now using the Dakine Renegade.
All three are great in the surf but I like the extra features you have on the Renegade.
Mystic warrior 2
Super commfy
Comes witha knife as well which is handy for protection against pirates.
Only problem it doesnt rotate so well for riding toe side
you dont buy a pair of shoes based on forum reveiws do u? You go to shop and try on..
Here is the deal..
Go to local shop
Try on harnesses to get right size
Swing off chickenloop attached to shop wall.
Pick harness that feels really comfortable
Ignore ones that dig into ribs in first few seconds or feels uncomfortable straight away.
win win win..
this has been our most liked harness after demoing some of the the new 2013 harnesses to a heap of guys on the beach.http://intheloopkiteboarding.myshopify.com/products/ion-apex-gold-edition
People really like the feel and fit of the memory foam. Had a guy who broke his back motocross and it hurt his back to kite with his old harness. He tried an Apex Select and reckons he cant kite with pain in his lower back.
Couple of mates back home swear by the Mystic Code-1:http://www.kitepower.com.au/mystic-code-1.html
Im going to pop by KP to try it out for comfort. I get lower back pain after big sessions, and I'm pretty sure it down to a 4 year old Mystic Warrior harness.
Also want to try that Ion harness with the memory foam - sounds like its designed with people-that-suffer-lower-back-pain in mind.
The only real way to find out if a harness is right for you is by trying it out kiting.
unfortunatly not many shops have Demo harneses so trying before you buy is not easy.
i suggest:
1. ask ppl of a similar size you know at your local if you can have a quick go with thier harness, most would be more than happy to help out.
2. ask the kite schools at your local area if you can try out one of the School harneses.
3. if you cant try them out on the water then spend plenty of time hanging off the rope in the shop.
remember the the harness/spreader bar is not going to ride up when being pulled at 90 degrees to your body so when trying them out make sure to hang off the rope with the force acting upward on the hook as if you were flying the kite over head.
if the harness/bar rides up here then it will more than likly ride up when you jump or body drag.
+1 for the Mystic Warrior III. Used mine three times now, coming off an old North styler. The Warrior is very comfortable, and gives great back support. I normally had lower back pain after a session, but nothing for last three sessions.
Agree that it might not be the best for toe side, as it grips tightly.
