Power Kite Forum - harnesses, whats the difference?

harnesses, whats the difference?

Trbo323 - 30-9-2011 at 01:34 PM

so im going to have a apex 3 7.5m on the way shortly and was looking into harnesses

then 10 min later realized i have no idea what to look for in a harness, im seeing seat and waist harnesses everywhere and i think i understand the difference but is one used for liky buggying and another for ATBs or how does it work?

this will be a first harness im just looking for some input to what to look for, what to stay away from, any specific models i should check out and if buying used is a ok idea or should it be avoided?

B-Roc - 30-9-2011 at 02:39 PM

How are you built? If you are slender and there is not a huge difference between the width of your chest and stomach, I'd go with a seat harness. I'm slender and can't use a waist harness as it rides up to my ribs and then becomes too uncomfortable.

I love my seat harness (dakine fusion) but it puts the pull point of the kite lower down which takes some getting used to but once you do its no problem (I board and ski).

Mystic harnesses seem to be pretty popular.

These are really the kind of thing that are way better to try before you buy but if you can't you can't. They can be tricky because the sizes are sometimes odd. For instance, I have a 31" waiste but use a large Dakine which I think is sized for 32 - 34 or 34-36 but I find it very comfortable although it is one if not two sizes too big according to dakine.

They aslso feel differenet under load then when they are just on.

Trbo323 - 30-9-2011 at 05:37 PM

ya i was wondering about the sizing as well, like i didnt know if they sized those while keeping in mind that people will have things like, o idk, pants on or if they were a actual measurement of the size of just the harness

are there any pros or cons to having a higher or lower pull point or is it just personal preference?

also, used harnesses? good bad? end of the world?

Kamikuza - 30-9-2011 at 05:47 PM

Ocean Rodeo Session II ... waist or seat, you choose. I've yet to fit mine without it feeling like torture device though : embarrassed:

Buy new - it's not like they're expensive ... if you nab an end of season special.

Seat harnesses - easier on the lower back (related to good stance), easier to swing your legs up when jumping :D but look like diapers and restrict movement. I also notice that toe-side is harder to ride and getting perfect stance is tougher because of how low the tow-point is ... a question of leverage.

indigo_wolf - 30-9-2011 at 05:48 PM

Sizing varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.... sometime a lot. Luckily most sizes are within a range so it's generally not a problem unless you are on the cusp of a size range. In that case, sometimes, the best thing to do is to talk to customer support or to someone that has the exact harness you are interested in.

A higher tow point can make it easier for you to get pulled over on a landboard until you get used to it.

Used harnesses are like anything else.... it depends on who the previous owner was. I got a used harness and it was in brandy newish condition.

ATB,
Sam

Trbo323 - 30-9-2011 at 10:12 PM

k, o and im 160 and 5'10, gosh i really dont know which way to go on this

Kamikuza - 1-10-2011 at 08:14 AM

Which way to go? Go to a store and try some on. Borrow someone's and use it for a bit. Bite the bullet and buy one that seems to fit nice

Trbo323 - 1-10-2011 at 10:35 AM

well nearest store that i know of is a 5 hour drive. and as im just getting into the sport i dont know anyone yet, so ya

carltb - 1-10-2011 at 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamikuza
Which way to go? Go to a store and try some on. Borrow someone's and use it for a bit.:wee: BITE THE BULLET:wee: and buy one that seems to fit nice

NO THANK YOU!!

bigkid - 1-10-2011 at 10:57 AM

Turbo,
when I come over to fly with you I will bring a few different harnesses to let you try out and see what the difference are. Should be a good day at the park.

indigo_wolf - 1-10-2011 at 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigkid
Turbo,
when I come over to fly with you I will bring a few different harnesses to let you try out and see what the difference are. Should be a good day at the park.

Now, that's service!!

ATB,
Sam

shaggs2riches - 1-10-2011 at 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by carltb

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamikuza
Which way to go? Go to a store and try some on. Borrow someone's and use it for a bit.:wee: BITE THE BULLET:wee: and buy one that seems to fit nice

NO THANK YOU!!

Very confused???? Did I miss something ????

greasehopper - 1-10-2011 at 11:40 AM

Even "I" got that one,,, Carl the Bullet...

indigo_wolf - 1-10-2011 at 12:38 PM

Every once in a while, it's good to check whether the studio audience is still paying attention :lol:

ATB,
Sam

shaggs2riches - 1-10-2011 at 01:13 PM

ummmmm I blame lack of coffee on that one lol:embarrased: :lol:

Trbo323 - 1-10-2011 at 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigkid
Turbo,
when I come over to fly with you I will bring a few different harnesses to let you try out and see what the difference are. Should be a good day at the park.

that would be awesome, ill hold off on getting one then but set some money aside for it

Kamikuza - 1-10-2011 at 06:06 PM

How about fondle the bullet then? :lol:

Yeah, shops ... we have them local but they don't stock any size over L in the country. And the distributer won't order in. Good service, eh?

Feyd - 1-10-2011 at 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamikuza
How about fondle the bullet then? :lol:

Yeah, shops ... we have them local but they don't stock any size over L in the country. And the distributer won't order in. Good service, eh?

I don't want to see Kami fondle the Bullet.:shocked2:

And they don't want to stock anything bigger than large for that one in a million XXXL wearing that comes in. :smilegrin:

indigo_wolf - 1-10-2011 at 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Feyd
I don't want to see Kami fondle the Bullet.:shocked2:

Nooooooooooo!!!! That would be like a horror story.

Quote:

Originally posted by Feyd
And they don't want to stock anything bigger than large for that one in a million XXXL wearing that comes in. :smilegrin:

Not stocking it is one thing, not willing to order it is just flat out bogus.

ATB,
Sam

Kamikuza - 1-10-2011 at 08:49 PM

:lol:

you never know, I might be a great fondle show. Don't knock it till you tried it :D

Yeah that's what I thought too Sam. Typical Japanese customer service - I considered myself lucky that I got a reply at all. 90% of inquires get no answers here.