Power Kite Forum

Buying a harness

iheartpie - 9-9-2011 at 09:26 AM

Hi guys,

I'm looking to order a harness this evening, but even after a little research need a little help.

I'm looking at going for something like: http://www.powerkiteshop.com/accessories/scrublandboardwaist...

As it's a good price and does what I need it to. I'm going to be picking up a board soon but I'm interested in a harness mostly to ease the strain on my arms which is limiting my fun time so want to pick one up asap.

I'll be using handles, probably for a while so from what I understand I'll need a strop line too.

Now, the help bit. I've been informed that quick-release is the way to go which seems sensible; I wouldn't have needed it yet, but I've also not needed my kite killers yet but wouldn't go out without them. With this setup where does the quickrelease come in? Is it on the strop or the harness?

Advice welcome!

Thanks.

iheartpie - 9-9-2011 at 12:58 PM

bump?

indigo_wolf - 9-9-2011 at 02:06 PM

Expensive route is the Holt Allen Block and a Wichard Shackle. See the 9th post (by bbrex) in this thread.

Another option is something like a tophat release as shown here.

Bobalooie recently said that what he does is:
"I larkshead one end of my strop to one handle, and slip the loop over the top of the other one, so if I let go, it slips right off the harness. "

ATB,
Sam

iheartpie - 11-9-2011 at 04:57 AM

Hi,

cheers for the info. I'd seen the Wichard method around, but they seem to cost £50 - £60 which adds quite a lot of cost to a £4.99 strop :p In fact it'd make the strop cost more in total than the harness :p

I came across the Ozone strop that has a quick release system built in. But I've only found it on ONE store and it's 'no longer available'. Is there nothing else around like: http://www.powerkiteshop.com/accessories/ozoneharnesslineqr.... ?

Seems like a gap in the market if not …

Thanks again.

cheezycheese - 11-9-2011 at 05:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by iheartpie
Hi,

cheers for the info. I'd seen the Wichard method around, but they seem to cost £50 - £60 which adds quite a lot of cost to a £4.99 strop :p In fact it'd make the strop cost more in total than the harness :p


Still cheaper than a visit to the E.R. :rolleyes:

iheartpie - 11-9-2011 at 05:07 AM

I'm in the UK, so a trip to the E.R is free ;D

I'll only be using it with a 3.3m blade anywho, it's more to take the strain off my arms than anything - however I appreciate with the right gust that could still spell trouble. If I'm using kite killers can't I just let go and yank my arms back anyway? Either way I'll still be attached to the brake lines. Maybe I'm being too hopeful.

Any info on any strops that might exist somewhere with the QR built in would be appreciated, can't believe there's only one that doesn't exist anymore…

ragden - 12-9-2011 at 04:54 AM

Only thing about harnesses is they are a very very personal feel. What one person likes, another may not. If you can try it on, I would highly recommend it. Would be a shame if you spent money on it, and found out later that it was rather uncomfortable...

iheartpie - 12-9-2011 at 10:52 AM

Hi ragden,

Fear not I totally get that. I'm just going down the cheap and cheerful route for now, I'll definitely be looking to upgrade if necessary, but keeping the costs down for now which is mostly what decided this purchase for me.