Hi guys, I know this question has been asked already but I am going to buy a new harness and I got a suggestion from the local dealer. I have now a waste harness and back problems (general pain due to my flabby body ...) and he suggested me a seat harness.
I am still learning on a 145L with a 5.5 Ezzy and I am wondering if the seat harness will be too hard for me now. I am not in the straps yet but I now use the harness on 15 knots.
I saw the NP and the Dakine, what is the best in term of durability and comfort based on your experience?
It often comes down to personal preference, we are all shaped differently and harnesse shapes vary as well. In my case I get better support for my sore back from a waist harness. The best bet is to try it, most shops should have a hook in point set up.
I tried a Neil Pryde wave recently and liked the fit because it seemed to support the arch of my back nicely. My partner has a Dakine and loves it but they are a bad shape for my body.
The Seat harness will be a little harder to hook in and out off. It's just a matter of adjusting to it and also adjust your lines and stance a little
Go to as many shops as you can and try them all on, the shops should have something you can hang of to feel what it's kinda like when sailing.
Don't be afraid to try kite harness's either
I have a tendency to back problems and use a seat harness with no issues. I haven't tried a waist harness.
If you are still uphauling you will get a sore back regardless of what harness you use.
Using a downhaul winch or ratchet operated mast extension also helps reduce back strain.
There is a "slight" difference in body shapes for you two 
I think he already has a kite harness from previous posts but the bar needs to be changed for safety reasons
)
I have been sailing since 1984 and used Chest, Waist and Seat harnesses. I used to find I had slight lower back pain with the waist harness but my Prolimit seat with that lumbar support offers pretty good support never have any pain or ailments. I have always found that with freeride / slalom that you can generate a lot more power using a seat harness.
Try as many harnesses as you can and spend at least 1/2hr in them hanging of the hook. Having fractured my back before ,having the right harness is the most important piece of gear. I found the Pro Limit comfortable but not very strong. Ripped two in catapults. Most Dakine don,t fit except their race seats, which i have found very good and the NP seats look good too. Try a sliding bar too which might help you reduce the pressure on the back
Don't wear a harness if you aren't into the straps...Unless you like being thrown overboard by wind gusts
I see just a lot of different opinions.
I am using Beginner to Winner DVD and he clearly shows this sequence:
1) Harness
2) Footstraps
3) Plan
Anyway, I am thinking of going to my windsurf dealer and try a seat harness. I like a lot the Dakine XL, it seems to have a lot of protection for your back.
I too have worn chest, waist and seat harnesses. They all have their benefits except the chest ones which gave me my bad back in the first place, thank goodness they died a natural death in the early '80s.
Due to my rotund shape my waist harnesses rises (especially if I get a dunking) even when I tighten it up till I nearly can't breath, so I ended buying a Prolimit combination waist and seat. The seat part allows it to stay down. The hook height is between both styles which and not too low which I like, easy to hook in and out of but not as quick to get out off as a waist. But I've got used to that. Being a combination you do use your arse to weigh the sail down which is a relief and allows you to take weight off your feet/board, great for acceleration. Because of this combi style the back padding height is comfy to lean back onto. Other brands do their versions too.
Have a look at this style of harness, it might suit you too.
But work on getting into those straps soon! You'll find you will be able to stay out longer, accelerate faster and use less energy. If you think the harness was great wait till you use the straps in combination!
I can't wait to hear how you go.
It depend what creates your back pain. Is it impact, like playing volley ball and at the end of the games...back can't handle it anymore. If it's the case..seat harness is not for you since you sit in the thing and each chop bump will bang your "disc".
If it's flexion...like arch your back..like lower back pain because of your morphology..lower back a bit too inside...maybe better with seat harness or learn to use at least 28 inches + harness lines with waist.... My shorter line was kaving me back problem, my arm was extend..so when someone was telling me that 30inches lines was a min i couldn't figure it out... I than realized when I tested 30" lines for a week..that I was arching my back to have a straight arm...so correct that...sail more upwright...go upwind easier...not surprise by gust...and no more back pain!
cheers and good luck!
I am sure the problem is the second one.
I do not have issues while windsurfing, last week I had a session from 9 am to almost 1 pm with some stops; I would say I got 3 full hours in total.
Sunday I had some pain in the lower back, nothing to worry about but bending my back wasn't a pleasure for the entire Sunday.
I am planning to get a couple of lessons next month when I will have few bucks in my wallet, I just got the Ezzy mast this month so pretty out of money for lessons right now.
I find that I need to try a harness on the water (as opposed to in the shop) before I know for sure whether it's ok for my back or not. My last 2 shop-bought harnesses turned out to be no good and I had to sell them secondhand, so I won't buy new again.
If you get a used harness, the seller can let you try it out before buying. And it's cheaper!
Not sure I'll be so lucky.
I will bother some Kiters on the beach just to give a shot at their harness.
if your back problems are persistant, like mine, then back stretching can make a massive difference to your flexibilty and movement...
im young and fit but still stretch it out when i get home at night
