Seat harness recommendations

rogeramoore1951 · Since 24 Feb 2016 1 Posts Midwest New Member

I'm a beginner just starting to go upwind. Looking at the Dakine Nitrous board shorts ---- they look great, wondering if it offers the support of the Dakine Fusion. Any other comments/recommendations would be appreciated for the newbie.

Nak · Wed Feb 24, 16 9:20 am

Board short harness: Thumb's Up

Diaper harness: Embarassed

Remember to wear some type of shorts, either neoprene or lycra, under the Nitrous to avoid chafing. Also, the leg straps do not need to be tightened at all; keep them comfortably loose. The straps holding the spreader bar need to be as tight as you can get them while riding. A little leather conditioner on those straps will keep them supple and allow you to loosen/tighten them even when dry.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Ken Lucas can rock the Dakine Fusion seat harness because he has no butt and wears an extra small.

For everyone else it looks like a giant diaper.
Although it works great and gives good support and control - most people avoid it due to vanity.

Singlemalt · Since 21 Jun 2015 478 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

Go with the shorts.

Sella · Wed Feb 24, 16 12:34 pm

+1 for Nitrous shorts. Simple. Never ride up or slide around and pain free if you have back or rib issues and ride long sessions.

Kmun · Since 05 Jul 2009 263 Posts Obsessed

If you are susceptible to low back pain or are not in top condition look for robust low back support. The Fusion has the greatest amount of low back support. It does have significant bulk, but is in fact lighter than some of the other smaller "appearing" waist harnesses. The difference in lumbar support between Vega and Fusion is significant. Mentioned above: I believe Ken Lucas uses the Vega seat harness.The Vega has less mass and bulk and packs away much smaller (e.g. snow-kiting). Its' low-back support is step below the Fusion but far superior (pun intended) to that of the shorts. The more minimalist short-harness allows a surprising range of upward migration and outward displacement of the hook. IMO: Considering the unexpected loads and gumby postures a kite student may endure, the Nitrous board shorts are not a great choice until you get your arms around the potential energies you've signed up for.

macgruber · Since 06 Dec 2011 490 Posts SE PDX volcano Obsessed

Dakine Chameleon. Waist harness with removeable leg straps. Cheap, light, and works with slippery drysuits. Also lets me double over for putting the board on in deep water.

kwalshpc · Since 24 Oct 2014 143 Posts Stoked

All of the above comments are on point.

If you are just starting out, see if there is something you can borrow or buy really cheap unless you have back issues etc. All of us have tons of stuff collecting dust. I would put an ad in here and ikitesurf. I would also keep an eye on zoomthelist.com (searches all of craigslist) You can definitely find something that will work. The Fusion seat would be easy to find.

kwalshpc · Since 24 Oct 2014 143 Posts Stoked

There is a large fusion seat, almost new, for 85 on the Seattle craigslist right now

Mrlaroo · Since 02 Jan 2007 181 Posts Bend Stoked

I have owned a couple pairs of the nitrous shorts and use the vega harness now and would not go back to the shorts. I find that it has more support and less pull on the groin area. To each their own, go out and try a variety of harnesses is your best bet.

Matt V · Thu Feb 25, 16 12:16 pm

Vega for me. I really think harnesses are something you just get used to????

My preference is:

1. Seat harness style (Midwestern windsurfing background probably shaped this)
then
2. Minimalist on the material and support (less stiff on an inherently stiff design feels more free to me anyway)

This leads me to the Vega though I have used most of the previous models of Dakine seats before.

And stop making fun of my diaper! I cant help my condition.......that is I am allergic to unintended penetrating backside irrigation when I blow a nearly perfect jump.

luke · Since 06 Jul 2005 399 Posts Obsessed

The seat harness I use is the Vega. It is minimal harness and perfect for "unloaded" kiting such as strapless, foil-board, or cruising with jumping. These forms of kiting put very little load on the kite, hence: unloaded. The Vega is much slimmer and has less supportive padding than the Fusion. If you are doing more "loaded" kiting such as wakestyle or mega-loops that put a huge load on the kite, then you might go with a very supportive and padded harness; Fusion.

Dakine's new waist harness, the C-1, is the next-generation to the Ride-Engine style of harness. Hard shell that molds to your body over time. Awesome. It is a waist harness though.

Occupied Columbia · Since 12 Nov 2011 376 Posts Columbia City Obsessed

I use the Dakine nitrous shorts for snow kiting. I put them on under my snow pants for the trip up the mountain. Then just clip in the spreader bar when I set up to kite.