scissorfighter - 10-1-2008 at 05:30 AM
Hey gang! Well, after spending the summer getting basics of my Beamer TSR 3.6 down, the snow is here and I'm ready to start snowkiting. But, I
haven't purchased a harness yet. I'm not sure what to look for, but I get the impression that Dakine seat harnesses are pretty decent. Any
suggestions?
Also, I've seen lots of comments about spreader bars, but I'll have to admit I don't know exactly what that does or if I need one with this setup.
Any help and tips would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Ryan
acampbell - 10-1-2008 at 06:05 AM
A spreader bar will/ should come with your harness. It is about a foot across and has the harnes hook in the middle, and attaches to the harness at
either end, near your hips. It "spreads" the load of the traction across your hips. Without, it the stress of the traction would pull from the
center like a draw string and work to crush your waist.
Here is one....
http://www.coastalwindsports.com/catalog/SpinningSpreaderSm....
scissorfighter - 10-1-2008 at 06:21 AM
Ahhh, I see. Makes sense, and I knew that this was part of the harness function but I didn't know the term for it was "spreader bar". Seeing them
referred to and often sold separately from harnesses made me think they were some strange optional accessory!
Thanks Angus for the info.
leebrianh - 10-1-2008 at 06:48 AM
Just for Snowkiting? Check out Mystic Blazer seat harness. I have been using Dakine seat harness but snow can be trappped in hip area. I just got
Mystic Blazer yesterday and didn't have a chance to use it but quality looks good.
If you are looking for less expensive one, Ozone snowkite harness is another option but it doesn't have a spreader bar but has "O" ring. You have to
take apart safty system to hook up to harness.
scissorfighter - 10-1-2008 at 09:04 AM
Well, primarily for snowkiting. I suppose I'll use it for other random kiting adventures, but snowkiting is my main interest.
Hey Angus, I noticed you have the Mystic Blazer on your site. What do you think of it?
acampbell - 10-1-2008 at 10:23 AM
I love the mystic blazers- they are good in the sand as well as the snow due to the mesh liner. Problem is I am out now and having trouble getting
re-stock. Mystics are excellent harnesses but their supply chain is a little flaky
DenisLaMenace - 10-1-2008 at 11:39 AM
Mystic and Dakine harnesses are both well made. It's just a matter of comfort and personal tatse.
I have the Mystic Dragon Shield waist seat harness:
very comfortable, it supports well the back, but I had to add a pad under the spreader bar, because it was too high and was hurting my ribs.
I also have the Dakine storm seat harness which I prefer. It is lower, less support for the back but more for the butt. the spreader bar does not hurt
my ribs.
I also like the Dakine storm because the bar being a bit lower, I put the harness under my winter jacket, which I unzip from the bottom a bit to let
the bar hook out of my coat.
I recommend you try before you buy.
zloty - 10-1-2008 at 12:58 PM
Hey guys I strongly recomend mystic blazer.I got it this winter and I love it.So far I had 12 days snowkiting this year and I love it. Live2kite is
main distributor in US. You can get them with my 10 0/0 off.