I'm looking for a harness but don't know what to buy, waist harness or seat harness. I have heard more good about the seat harness but if you look at any kite video you can see that they most often use waist harness.
So please give me some advice to help me make up my mind. Good quality over money : )


Jafet (from Iceland, the best kiteplace there is)

You are right that in most of the video's the riders are using waist harnesses. A waist harness will give you the most movement which is why the pro riders usually prefer them over the seat harness. A seat harness has also been labled a "diaper" by some and there is a bit of a style issue associated with them as well. That being said, almost all the riders that I have been in contact with or have seen riding at our local spots all use a seat harness. The main reason? A waist harness will never stay put and will eventually migrate from your waist to your underarms. Seat harness's also give you a lot lower center of gravity, allowing you to rider longer without fatigue. A seat harness usually has better back support and is more comfortable than a waist harness. For land boarding, the seat harness will give you a little better padding on your "backside" as well.

Some of the best seat harnesses on the market are the Pro Limit and the DaKine Fusion. We carry the Fusion and that is the harness I use personally. Another option is the DaKine Nitrous Shorts - it is basically a Fusion harness that is incorporated directly into swim trunks. The Nitrous shorts gives all the benefits of a seat harness and wont ride up on you, but without the "Diaper" look and it still has great flexibility...the only loss is it has no back support.

Your best bet is to go to your local kite shop and try a couple different harness's on until you find one that you are very comfortable with. Both styles will work perfectly fine, it really does just come down to personal preference.

Hope this helps.

I have found out that not any harness will fit any person.Best way to buy harness is simply try it on.Most stores have rope where You can hook Yourself in and try it how it feel on tension,like with shoes not all shoes will fit your feet.I did take my buggy to store and checked inside.My advice is to buy harness with lots of padding,comfortable and as last cool looking.Most people useing seat harnesses for buggy it is best choice, on board You will see more riders with waist,I use seat for both.
Cheers.

Thanks for the answers, they where really helpful ; ) I am probably going to buy me a Da Kine Tabu Waist harness and a Dakine Hammer Head Spreader Bar, that must be a good combo...

DaKine makes an excellent product. Great choice.