jadog - 24-11-2014 at 10:43 AM
I currently have a waist harness and have found it to be a bit uncomfortable. Maybe someday when I've advanced enough to actually take it to it's
fullest potential, I'll have a different thought.
For now, I'm trying to determine if I should buy a PL Devine harness or a Dakine Fusion. My main use will be boarding (snowboarding
in winter landboarding in summer), but I will also be using to buggy as well. And will I need to have one for Summer and a second larger one sized to
fit over my bulky snow clothing in the winter? Or are you guys wearing yours underneath somehow?
FrontRangeJeff - 24-11-2014 at 11:00 AM
Hey Jadog,
My wife has a devine for buggying and I have and use both a waist (Pyro) and a Seat (Fusion)....so I'm familiar with all.
My two cents - I'd recommend a Fusion whole heartedly. My fusion is one size larger then my pyro so that I can wear Hill Billy butt padded shorts
under it while land boarding and or snow pants for snow kiting without any problem....I'd say I could have probably gotten away with my normal size
though. That said Even being a size bigger then normal I can and do still use the seat sometimes kiteboarding in the summer for sessions where I'm
feeling lazy; quite a bit of flexibility either side.
The devine is ideal for buggying (which is all my wife does) and I bet it would be fine for landboarding or snow but I prefer the Fusion - I like
having some back support when on the snow or land board.
If you anticipate buggying way more then landboarding or snow kiting it would shift the recommendation more to Devine so you aren't sitting against a
more rigid harness...but if buggy is occasional like it is for me I'd say Fusion in my experiences
Hope that helps - I realize this is probably just the exact pros/cons you've already come to
.
jadog - 24-11-2014 at 11:33 AM
That's exactly what I was looking for. What size is your harness and waist? Trying to figure out what size I should get. Also, can you recommend any
year of the Fusion over another? In other words, is the 2014 model of Fusion any better than a 2010 model, etc.
FrontRangeJeff - 24-11-2014 at 02:21 PM
I vary quite a bit based on season - anywhere between a 33" waist in early spring to around a 31.5" in mid summer if I'm riding a lot. All along the
spectrum I am fine in my medium Pyro or large Fusion. For instance I can wear 5 mil wetsuit and be my fat weight in late spring and enjoy kiteboarding
with the Pyro... but I can also use my large Fusion kiteboarding in summer (just board shorts) at minimum chubbery....I'm pretty cinched down on the
large regardless of use unless I have a big coat on or something.
Basically there is enough adjustment for me that either works...the large really is big.. I'd say Dakine's sizing chart is pretty much spot on.
As for years - I have 2013's of both the Pyro Rasta and Fusion and I can't speak to years before that but '14's look almost identical....fortunately
'14s look to be on massive close outs!!
jadog - 24-11-2014 at 03:46 PM
I have a 30" waist. Do you think the large would be a good fit for me with winter clothes on or should I go for the Medium? Checking out the 2014
models now!
FrontRangeJeff - 24-11-2014 at 04:55 PM
I would totally think the medium in that case! 30" is basically 2" less then me - which is a size....and I have to pretty much cinch quite a lot with
my large....winter clothes or with Hill Billy's on! A large on you and they'd probably be absolutely humorously huge!! Just to cover the base - I find
my pant waist sizes to be pretty much spot on w/ the harness sizes listed.
You picked the perfect time to shop for '14 gear for sure.
Happy shopping:D
B-Roc - 24-11-2014 at 06:10 PM
I wear pants that are sized 30 or 31 depending on the cut and I have been riding a large fusion seat harness since 2006. I tighten the belt as much
as I can and leave the leg straps as loose as they will go and that works perfect for me in the summer. I would go a size larger than they recommend
on their website. Keep in mind though that my harness is from 2006 and they may have dialed in their sizing somewhat since then.
Kamikuza - 24-11-2014 at 10:48 PM
The Fusion is rather bulky... but very comfy.
I've had 4 Fusions; with each new model, they are wearing out faster and faster. My 2013 model was falling apart at seams within a month or so.
I recently got a Mystic a Star waist/seat and for all but way-overpowered boosting, it's perfect. Not having a Dakine spreader bar is even better!
If those are the only two options, I'd go with the Divine...
jadog - 25-11-2014 at 06:38 AM
Great information guys!
Feyd - 25-11-2014 at 09:40 AM
If you have a 30" waist the Medium IMO is the best size for you for winter use and even a little warm weather use if you crank it down. The waist for
a medium is 32-34" which clothing easily makes up for. You could actually get away with a small in the winter but if it's cold and you bulk up it
will be pretty snug and reduce mobility.
I haven't jumped ship on my old Fusion yet. Mines a 2011 and still solid as the day I got it. We've sold a few 2014's but haven't heard back from
anyone having any issues in regards to quality as Kami stated. He's out in the high sun and salt water so that's going to put more wear on gear than
what we get in the winter. But from what I've seen they seem to be as well built as ever.
I like the new Blue color tho. :D
Bladerunner - 25-11-2014 at 05:34 PM
I have a 30 inch waist and the one problem I have had is the size of the spreader bar. Sorry, I don't know the sizes off hand but the largest Dakine
hook spreader is just a bit too wide for me.
I use a Dakine impact vest / harness when snowkiting. It gives me a bit of comfort on the shoulder seasons and when I am walking out to drill for ice
depth. The impact advantage is also nice. It's too much in the summer accept for water.
+1 for Mystic! 
I love my older Mystic ( dragon? ) seat / waist combo
harness now I have a spreader bar pad on it. Small is pretty much too small for over snow gear. Medium should work.
Kamikuza - 25-11-2014 at 10:13 PM
Ackshully, I don't get to the ocean more than a few times a year... so it's fresh water for the most part. My 2010 did 2 years, then 2011 wasn't sewn
together properly so was sent back and I got a 2012 which looked as the 2010 did after only a year, the last one looked ratty after 2 months... I've
broken 3 spreader bars, which is a universal issue.
Being an M will give you a lot of options, unlike an XXL... Ion harnesses look good but the Manara would be awesome - it's basically a hard harness
that takes all the load, from the spreader bar to your back, with the padding only there for erm padding.
jadog - 26-11-2014 at 07:57 AM
I own a Mystic Shadow harness, but I don't think it's compatible with the strappies. Plus, those don't look extremely comfortable anyway. I'm sure I
could rig something to make it work, but the seat harness's feel so much more comfortable when I'm airborne.
jadog - 8-12-2014 at 01:23 PM
So my large Fusion harness just arrived. Sooo glad I didn't buy the Medium as I'm certain it wouldn't fit over my bulky snow clothing and even this
Large was smaller than I thought. It does have a pretty ridged back support, so I'll have to get used to that. It also has a crazy wide spreader bar
as well (just as Bladerunner noted). I'm sure I'll get used to it though. Time will tell.
Feyd - 8-12-2014 at 05:16 PM
I'm curious, what are you guys wearing for ski clothing?
jadog - 15-12-2014 at 06:30 AM
Snow pants and Snow Jacket. Isn't that what everyone uses?
Feyd - 15-12-2014 at 09:32 AM
HEHEHE, yes I suppose so. :D But there are different types depending on the application. For straight up warmth insulated clothing is a popular
choice. For example something you'd wear ice fishing. Whereas a winter technical clothing layering systems that which is designed for someone who is
being active and needs wicking and lightweight, would be less effective sitting around a hole in the ice.
I guess to be more specific what kind of snow pants and jacket? The fact that you call them snow pants as opposed to saying "snow pants" and not
something like "MemBrain 100% seam-taped nylon 600 denier windproof soft shell bibs" hints that we aren't talking technical layering stuff but more
like insulated winter wear. Which usually tends to be a lot bulkier.
Most of the snowkiters we deal with are wearing layer systems of some flavor. Thin, lightweight stuff. Myself for example, I wear a medium Fusion
with my winter gear, I have a 33" waist and dress out at 200+. I can wear a large and crank it down but I prefer the medium. After I saw that you got
a large I ran down and I tried one of our new ones and the fit is consistent with my older one. So my guess is that what you're wearing has more loft
than what I usually run into. Just curious is all.
Chrisz - 15-12-2014 at 11:00 AM
So how has the fusion harness worked out?
I am looking for another seat harness, the mystic Force sheild harness I have is just too bulky, it goes way too far up my back, and I cant bend
over to adjust my boots because of the huge pad on the spreader bar.
And yes I got it a size too big to fit over inches if additonal clothing, it can be -20 below to 40 above. The harness will synch down to fit less
clothing.
Feyd - 16-12-2014 at 02:40 AM
What year Mystic? My feeling is the fusion is going to be very much the same for you. The back on the fusion is as least as high as the Mystic IMO.
Chrisz - 16-12-2014 at 05:09 AM
2013
Feyd - 16-12-2014 at 08:51 AM
Yup, essentially the same animal as the Fusion then.