Power Kite Forum

Seat harness

3shot - 28-3-2014 at 05:44 PM

Ready to take the plunge I guess....
Physically attaching myself to a kite. My wife is having a fit LOL.
Something about 7 days straight of buggy riding will kick my butt a JIBE. I have PopEye arms but 7 days will prolly kill me.

I will be using a BigKid AQR so that will help my harness newbness.

So. Looking for a seat harness. Any old beaters laying in the shed? Anyone??
Doesn't have to be the most beautiful thing in the world. Just functional and with the plain hook spreader. I wear a size 36" waist, but a little room for winter gear would be nice too. Spreader pads preferred. A PL Divine would be great, but I'm not too picky for a first harness. Figured I'd swing for the fences with a used Divine. I may like the harness thing, I may not, so I'm trying not to break the bank on my first one. Trying to stay clear of the nut crushers though. Would only be used for the buggy.
Thanks.

riffclown - 28-3-2014 at 07:38 PM

You can use my flexifoil FB bar for the trip if you'd like as well.

BEC - 29-3-2014 at 05:28 AM

3shot....Your going to like the harness thing....It's not even about the arms....it's more about the leverage you get back out of the kite's power...You will also be able to tac upwind at a much harder angle because of one...

I started out with a fusion...(these are sized a bit smaller then stated). I have a LG and its a perfect size if you are only going to have one...(good in the summer with shorts on and I have room in winter with snowpants)....I am a little guy....These harnesses have some major lumbar support built in and I haven't had any issues, quality wise with mine. Great for static flying and standing but not the most comfortable to buggy in. Like I said, I'm a little guy so I had a very hard time getting the lumbar support to bend while sitting in the buggy. You may not. Other members have them, buggy in them and love them...

Then I purchased a PL Divine harness (these run huge, I have a small and need an XS)...Night and Day difference when sitting down in the buggy...The Divine is not a nut cruncher and movement is 100% better, however I don't like this one when I'm out with downhill skis on the lakes...

You should hold off a bit until you go to JIBE...There will be more guys there your size that I'm sure will let you try them on a bit before you commit. You may also get some people to bring the extra ones (they are selling) for you and if you like how it feels then buy it there. I wish I had the opportunity to "TRY" before I purchased.

Just take all the opinions from others and try to make the best guess for you, as this is a very personal thing...Bodies are all different, peoples' style of kiting are different, buggy, land board, skis, ??, the type of kite you're flying will all play a part in "WHY" they like theirs the best.

one more thing...make sure the one you pick will be able to accommodate both a bar set up and/or handles for FB so you have that option for later on...

3shot - 29-3-2014 at 06:06 AM

Thanks for the post BEC! Lots of peeps love their PL Divine. Yeah, that's a lot of loot though :(

BEC - 29-3-2014 at 09:52 AM

Not really....I scored on my fusion for like 100.00 at the time and then shipping....years later I got a nice deal on my Divine for about 130.00..Equipment like this last forever if you take care of it so investment is well worth it...the only problem you run into is purchasing and then not liking it....so....if you have the opportunity to try before you buy then....that should be your route...JIBE and/or WildWood....

Quote: Originally posted by 3shot  
Thanks for the post BEC! Lots of peeps love their PL Divine. Yeah, that's a lot of loot though :(

3shot - 29-3-2014 at 04:18 PM

Certainly someone has something laying in the back of the closet???

soliver - 29-3-2014 at 04:39 PM

Good luck with the harness hunt, Jason... I'm still not used to mine, but I try to use it when I have the patience for it. Good choice on the BK QR system.

3shot - 29-3-2014 at 04:56 PM

Spencer. Didn't you purchase the Divine? Here is where I am with the whole harness thing:

I would never use it for my janky inland winds AQR or not. I would never use it for my cracker box field that I ride in. It's either PopEye it, or pack it up. Would only harness up for extended beach runs at VA beach, and events like WBB and JIBE where I know my arms will become Jell-O. Especially day after day of extended rides. I am a FB pilot. Good or bad, that's where I'm at in this time of the sport. Maybe one day depower, but not in the near future. So, being JIBE and WBB only happen a few times a year, I want to maximize my seat time to the fullest. I just can't see that happening flying FB hour after hour, day after day without a harness. Of course, I may be wrong but a harness seems the only option for prolonged wing time. The BK AQR IS going to happen. I was just trying to reserve the bulk of the funds for that. I may just have to bite the bullet and pick up a Divine. I've only read good things about it. I figure if it works for everyone else, it "should" work just fine for me. Again, I could still be wrong. The upside is, I would have a quality investment like BEC said. If I picked up a Joe Mill second hand one, then turned around and upgraded (like all of us seem to do) I will have then spent even more money at that point.
Hmm..... decisions-decisions. Try before you buy is always the best choice for any purchase. However, I'd hate to get down to Jibe, try one, like it, need one, then not have one :puzzled:.

The harness does have some degree of terror to me and my wife. Not going to lie about that. So many injuries and deaths out there from being locked to a kite. However, it seams the harness is almost a required item for long periods of traction. I guess it must be accepted, educated, and mastered like anything else in any other sport. I know this started as a "wanted" add, but I am still open to suggestions and thoughts like BEC and soliver gave me. The whole harness thing seems the biggest step in my kiting journey. Maybe I'm just over cautious. Dunno. Certainly all of you have been faced with this fear before taking the harness plunge. You guys have always steered me in the right direction from day one. :thumbup:

flyguy0101 - 29-3-2014 at 06:05 PM

Jason never say never about when using a harness I was a Popeye for a while now I never fly without clipping in. Just more control and weight placement. Pl divine is only way to go in buggy and I use radical when standing
Scott

flyguy0101 - 29-3-2014 at 06:11 PM

Just decided to read your last post :D. No reason to be afraid especially with the aqr and you are comfortable just flying. You would never realistic.y be able to fly the 8m without it wrists are just not strong enough to turn that beast. In clean beach winds the harness allows for a drink while rolling down the beach:thumbup:

Feyd - 29-3-2014 at 06:22 PM

We may have a harness to let go. What size?

3shot - 29-3-2014 at 06:35 PM

Scott, Thank you for encouragement bud. It means a lot! Still wishing you a speedy recovery :cool:

Feyd, I wear size 36" pants, but would like a little room for winter gear if needed. What kind of harness "might" you have? U2U me if need be ;)

Feyd - 30-3-2014 at 05:36 AM

U2U sent.

BEC - 30-3-2014 at 06:02 AM

I think Scott is still going to JIBE with his family....I work in an establishment that can ship things for pretty cheap. Although it is only a large I would be willing to ship my size L to you, you could try it out (DaKine Fusion).....maybe Flyguy0101 would let you try his older PL Divine out, as he is not using it....Then you could give it back to Scott who could then return it to me by WBB....(probably won't even touch that one while I'm there).....

Then if you come to WBB you would have 3 weeks to purchase one that you liked and tried for yourself....If you are only going to have 1 then I would anti up for the Divine....you can static, ski, and buggy with it....but if buggy is your main thing then this choice will be best suited as far as design and comfortableness (if that is even a word)....

3shot - 30-3-2014 at 06:37 AM

Wow. Thank you for the generous offer Bruce! Truly a mark of people's character here in the PKF!!!:thumbup::cool:
Looks like I just might pick up a Divine. Pretty unanimous on the comfort and design it seems. My wife feels a "little" better after watching both of Jeff's AQR vids. I know it's not the be all-end all prevention to injury, but it definitely put the odds back in my favor if used and maintained correctly IMO :D






Again, sorry for the thread drifts here
:embarrased:

soliver - 30-3-2014 at 08:59 AM

I have a PL Divine harness with the BK AQR set up. I'm kinda like you said and only use it in certain conditions. I have found recently when I try to use it at home in my "cracker box" I end up getting frustrated with it and have a crummy session. I decided to leave it put away last go and had the best session I've had in a long while. It definitely saves you from Popeye arms, but when you have wind like mine with so many lulls, it can get really frustrating. Not advocating against it, I would like to get more proficient with it, but my limited buggy time makes me want to save myself from frustration and just enjoy what limited time I have.

As far as harnesses go, I like my Divine, but I bought it about 10 lbs ago and the straps seem SUPER short. I wear a 34 or 36 and I bought the Small (which is what was recommended) I added some length of strap to one side, but it only makes it harder to pass through the buckles and whatnots. But as far as comfort goes, it's great!... Trying to lose some weight to help myself out but it's going slow. I think the fit issues have more to my gut than anything else.

I would recommend just buying a new one. I've read others say you're generally better off that way, knowing exactly what your getting, how it should fit etc, etc.

Just my 2 pennies.

3shot - 30-3-2014 at 09:28 AM

I agree Spencer. My local spot is just to small with janky winds most of the time to add a harness and QR to the frustration. I just He-Man those days LOL.

3shot - 30-3-2014 at 06:27 PM

Just went ahead and ordered the Divine. Thank you for all the input everyone!

BEC - 31-3-2014 at 03:29 PM

I too live in a place with gusty winds and the harness sometimes allows you to play on those days without your arms getting ripped out of their sockets....With that said you do need to be comfortable using it...this will come in time...I harness in on small spaces (soccer field) with my wide axle

You will love the Divine but never having a nut cruncher you won't fully appreciate how comfortable this one is.....

Don't worry...Experience + harness + helmet = Lots "O" fun. You'll see once you have a couple JIBE/WBB events under your belt...Always around to chat too about kites, gusty wind conditions etc.


Quote: Originally posted by 3shot  
Just went ahead and ordered the Divine. Thank you for all the input everyone!

3shot - 31-3-2014 at 05:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BEC  
I too live in a place with gusty winds and the harness sometimes allows you to play on those days without your arms getting ripped out of their sockets....With that said you do need to be comfortable using it...this will come in time...I harness in on small spaces (soccer field) with my wide axle

You will love the Divine but never having a nut cruncher you won't fully appreciate how comfortable this one is.....

Don't worry...Experience + harness + helmet = Lots "O" fun. You'll see once you have a couple JIBE/WBB events under your belt...Always around to chat too about kites, gusty wind conditions etc.


Quote: Originally posted by 3shot  
Just went ahead and ordered the Divine. Thank you for all the input everyone!


I have two full body climbing harnesses that I use to hand tree stands for hunting in the fall. I know all about "crunchers". I come out of the woods singing 3 octaves higher. lol

Same here bro, I'm around to talk about anything too. Kiting is just one of too many hobbies I have. :evil: :evil: :evil:

3shot - 31-3-2014 at 05:48 PM

Mods, any chance I can get this thread moved to the kite accessories page? Better fit there now. I will edit the title once it's moved. I would like to continue my learning experience and share with others. This wanted thread turned into something different now.

Thanks for any help.

3shot - 3-4-2014 at 04:31 PM

Got my Divine in today :o

Super comfy. Not like I can compare it to anything else though. LOL.

ZERO pinch, bind, or nut crunch while seated. Think I'm gonna like this rig :thumbup:

3shot - 4-4-2014 at 02:54 PM

Thank you for moving my post here PKF!