Snowkiting harness: over or under jacket?

AKkiter · Since 31 Aug 2008 190 Posts Montavilla Stoked

Under the jacket all the way- none of that riding up and getting snow in your coinslot!

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

zip TEch by Volcom. Integrated pant and jacket combo. Keep the coin slot dry... Works well and you can leave your harness on the outside, so you can pass the bar.

rudeboysaude · Since 12 Sep 2009 2 Posts Sandstone, MN New Member

Hey guys.. I came up with what I think is the perfect solution to this problem. Check it out at www.kitepanel.com

It's just a panel with zippers on each side that zips into your jacket. No modifying jackets, no buying the same kite specific jacket everyone else has. You zip it in to go kiting, zip it out when you're done, hit the town for beers. Anyone can make them, but if you don't like sewing I've setup a little sweat shop in my basement cranking them out for the masses. I sent this one to James at Drift Snowkiting. hopefully he'll do an unbiased review of how they work.

This is the JB Pro Model. It has a pocket in the panel for your hook knife. Harder to make, but since your harness is covered it allows quick access to a knife. JB wants me to taper them more at the neck which I might try, but since really anyone can make them at home, what I like to be able to offer is ebroidery and heat press. Make em personal and cool. Here's two more custom panels:

So make a kite panel and try it out. So far I think it's the best solution and we've been riding them this year with great results.

A.

eric p · Since 30 Jan 2010 15 Posts Minnesota baby!

That is an awesome idea Saude. All you have to have is a large selection of different zippers to match everyones coats. I am still riding the old Ultra Nectar coat I bought from your wife a few years back (or maybe 4). I just can't find a suitable replacement, and still love everything about it. It has an off center main zipper with a small hole zipper in the center for the spreader to go through. I unhook all the time (or at least when the conditions permit here in Minnesota) and have no problems with rehooking. Over the coat is just clumsy and unnecessary.

solkiter · Since 07 Jan 2008 251 Posts ROGUE VALLEY Obsessed

genious idea!!!! Laughing

corey4x4man · Since 13 Jun 2011 134 Posts Beaverton, OR Stoked

This is an awesome idea! I just wanted to bump it back to the top!

viento · Since 18 Dec 2005 56 Posts

For just a couple of bucks I came up with a small zip that you can zip in from the bottom after you unzip your jacket from the bottom up. I had to have a small strip of velcro stiched on the back side of the storm flap onthe back of the main zip. This way my harness fits better, it's under the jacket and there is no flap wide open to suck up the snow. Two years two different jackets and it works sweet!

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

Hi All
Snowpants , Tshirt heavy shirt ,harness , then a hoodie with a hole in it for the hook over that and away u go .I put a little stitching around the hole after year one as it was fraying out.
JackZ

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

I took my SlipperyWhenWet Insulator Jacket/PFD to my friendly local seamstress, and for less than 20 bucks, including new zipper, she made the old zipper stop about 6" up, left a 4" space then added a new 2way zipper, and made a hole in the flap that covers the zipper over the space between the zippers.

Pretty sweet cant wait to try it, and if it works I will have her do my snowboard jacket.