Da Kine Impact Vest Harness (rides up)

argos · Since 07 Apr 2010 66 Posts

Beginner progressing...my (borrowed) Da Kine Impact Vest always rides up. The pad is flipped up and the whole thing is up in my grill the whole session.

I understood this was an issue with newbs with kite flying overhead, but I am slowly getting past that stage (staying upwind, sorta toe side) and the harness isn't cooperating.

Is this the harness? Is this me? What harness should I be looking for? Waist? Seat?

No back pain and the surf is my eventual goal.

Thanks in advance.

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

The integral dakine impact harnesses sometimes ride up a bit if you're smaller for the size and have a few crashes. I crank mine down and it seems to do fine. There are better fitting harnesses out there, but I like how the harness helps with impacts and provides floatation if things go wrong.

Nak · Sat Oct 23, 10 5:50 pm

Dakine Nitrous shorts harness + Liquid Force impact vest. Thumb's Up

Comfort, no riding up, impact protection, free movement, some flotation.

krazedkiter · Since 08 Jun 2009 183 Posts Florida Stoked

Any harness with a spreader bar down system should help. This system is standard on the Mystic harnesses (most I think). It consists of a second smaller strap that keeps the spreader bar and pad from flipping up.

Watch the video on the attached link from about 1:15 on

http://greenhatkiteboarding.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=373&currency=USD

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 485 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

Dakine fusion seat harness. I love mine. No riding up. I got tired of my waist harness riding up and constricting my breathing. I use a Body glove impact vest made for wakeboarding, and it does ride up a little (turtling, I think they call it). But I like it because it gives me some floatation although I have to shove it back down once in a while. The seat harness will not ride up though. I'm a beginner too and the seat harness for a beginner is the way to go in my opinion.

I like the spreader bar with the hook that pivots upward too. Keeps the bar pad flat against your harness.

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

I've noticed this too. It happens most often for me when I spend time body dragging because that's when my harness does the most moving around. Now that I'm getting better it doesn't happen as badly but I still have to take off the harness and adjust it pretty much every time I come into shore if I'm out for more than a couple tacks.

It's just one of those semi-annoying things you have to learn to deal with. I tried without it once and was surprised at how much my harness tried to dig into my stomach without the vest. Turns out they help with more than just when you take spills.

kenja · Since 19 Jun 2008 179 Posts Stoked

I used a waist harness for years before trying a seat harness last year. I guess I always assumed the waist harness was better from my windsurfing days. Everyone has their own opinions, but I'm definitely sticking with my seat harness. It is really nice for jumping and it doesn't ride up like my waist harnesses did. I liked the bar position of the waist harnesses, so I like higher bar seat harnesses like the Dakine Fusion.