propylene22 - 16-8-2014 at 07:18 PM
I know this harness might not exist but I would like to pick up a harness for all aspects of kiteboarding (i.e. land, snow, water). I've have mostly
used until this point an ozone snowkiting harness the climbing harness kind. I've also used a HQ waist harness. I much prefer the positioning of the
harness at the waist. It allows the bar to be much closer to my arms and I can lean out against the pull of the kite more easily. The only problem is
that the HQ slides up like mad. Can anyone recommend a waist harness that will stay put? Seems like mystic is the brand of choice, any thoughts on
this?
Feyd - 19-8-2014 at 08:27 AM
Your options are in a way a bit limited. We use the Ozone SB as our primary school harness because it's comfortable and easy to move around in and
most of the time a student isn't looking for the highest performance harness in a lesson. We want them comfortable.
For more high performance use almost everyone here in northern New England that I know is in a seat harness on snow. Lower center of gravity at
speed, solid interface, no creep. Downside is for jumping it puts things in an uncomfortable tow point for a lot of people. Most of the waist
harness users I know locally use them because it's what they have and they ride in the summer as well. Some waist harnesses work better than others.
The Mystic seems to do well from what I'm told if you crank it on right, Dakines as well. The hard part in the winter is that your layers allow the
harness to ride up unless it's really almost too tight.
The compromised is a custom set up. If you're near anyone that does climbing gear repair or fab it's simple enough to get leg loops sewed into a
waist harness and get the best of both worlds. We have a few places here in town that can do that work but I'm pretty much set on my Fusion seat
harness for 90% of the riding I do.
Don't know if that helps you our not. :P
elnica - 19-8-2014 at 11:57 AM
On land you don't edge as much as on water and the kite tends to be higher in the window more often than on water while riding. This means my waist
harness (mystic shadow) rides up all the time when I'm on land (I hate it) but is great on water. I use a dakine fusion seat harness for land kiting.
Maybe a waist harness with removable straps? or a custom (molded to your back) engine waist harness would stay put.
https://shop.ride-engine.com/harnesses/
Proletariat - 19-8-2014 at 01:59 PM
Out of curiosity, what's the problem with a seat harness on water? Just that it might pull you in uncomfortable places? I haven't had that problem
with my LiquidForce.
elnica - 20-8-2014 at 02:31 PM
For me it was the walking around part. I did a lot of walking upwind when learning and the seat harness made it very tiring. I bought a waist harness
and my legs were free, so much better. It is also smaller/easier to travel with. I never used a seat harness after that on water so not sure what the
difference is when your actually riding upwind and trying tricks.
Just gotta try them and see which one you like better. If you have a bad back go with a seat harness, if you like to have your legs free for tricks
and stuff or will be doing lots of walking, go with a waist harness. It also depends on your build... if you have a V shaped torso or a beer shaped
one, it determines how much a waist harness will ride up on you.
carltb - 20-8-2014 at 03:20 PM
a lot of th European snow kiter use a combination harness. they use a waist harness and a climbing harness and using this set up they can adjust the
tow point. you use the waist harness as normal, then hook the climbing harness to the spreader bar to stop is riding up.
propylene22 - 25-8-2014 at 01:02 AM
Thanks for the feedback all. I am fairly tall 6'4" and I'm mostly torso so the seat style harnesses put my tow point much to low. I find that I can't
lean out properly and have to bend my knees and squat. Perhaps I will follow up on the custom leg loops or custom molded. Thanks.
Cheddarhead - 26-8-2014 at 02:50 PM
What's the sizing like on the Mystic Fusion? True to chart sizing or does it wear small? I assume you wear it over your ski pants like the Ozone
Access? Larger size needed because of this?
pbc - 26-8-2014 at 07:15 PM
I use a modified climbing harness. The mod keeps the attachment point--a carabiner--very low and makes walking so easy I oftem forget I am wearing
the harness.
To make the mod I cut out the load loop, removed the center section of the waist with a single strap and buckle. I then severed the connect from the
leg loops to the load loop. I added a piece of 5mm amsteel as a link between the leg loops. It's just loped through both leg loops and tied. I then
clip a 'biner around this Amsteel loop and the waist. My chickenloop clips onto the 'biner.
This is the best setup I have ever used. The connect between the legs slides back and forth through the 'biner with every stride. It allows a
tremendous freedom of movement.
I suppose I should find a picture. Sewing skills are required, but it was very much worth it.
Philip
propylene22 - 6-9-2014 at 09:19 PM
Interestingly most of the problems I have are with the attachment point being to low..
shaggs2riches - 7-9-2014 at 04:40 PM
I switch between Ozone XC snowkite harness, and Hadlow Pro Limit harness. I honestly like waist better, but when it's really cold I can't get it on
over the extra layers of clothing. I have never tried putting it on under my gear. The biggest problem with my snowkite harness, it the straps coming
loose quite often. The biggest benefit of the snowkite harness is that the attachment is lower, making the trim easier for me to reach, and no riding
up. The waist harness limits my mid section bending, making it tough to lock in my snowboard bindings (I need to do some yoga one day. Lol)