waist harness VS impact&harness combo?

its_kite:30 · Since 29 May 2009 108 Posts White Salmon/ Beaverton Stoked

I am looking to get out of my seat harness and into a waist or impact & harness combo. I stated to ride toe side last summer and did not care for the seat harness. It may be some kook idea that its the harness and not me. I like the idea of flotation I wear a pfd now but wonder about the combo? I have also had my eye on a mystic II harness. Any insight, preferences, complaints on these welcomed.

argos · Since 07 Apr 2010 66 Posts

Had the old DaKine Impact vest. It sucks for a harness. Rides up all the time!

I asked this question a bit ago, except I was doing the opposite.

I went to a DaKine Fusion and I really like it.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

Dakine renegade waist. Only one i have found that's nice to my lower back. Love it.

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

Try before you buy. Waist harnesses just don't work on some body types....they continually ride up and slide side-to-side.
Ten years ago for windsurfing I tried switching from seat to waist harness and it was never comfortable.
Last summer for kiting I tried switching from seat to waist harness and it still doesn't work for me.
When I wear a waist harness it feels like I'm constantly pulling the harness down.
I wear the Dakine shorts with built-in harness and I rarely notice I have it on. It's great for toeside, waves, jumping, etc.
I have 3 other kiters in my family who all tried waist-harnesses (teenagers think it's cool) but eventually 2 out of 3 decided to use seat harnesses.
I see a lot of people coming in at the end of their sessions and their waist harnesses are up under their armpits and the hook is under their chins. That would drive me crazy but to each his own......

Vladiator · Since 06 Jun 2009 252 Posts Napels FL Obsessed

Ocean Rodeo Session 2 Harness !!! Works grate I love it !

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

The Ocean Rodeo Session is a great harness and very comfy till the pads get thin. But the straps help keep the harness at a comfortable level if its not at true waist harness height, plus if your rocking the winter time beer belly it keeps it from riding up, but be careful with the leg straps, they can hurt your little soldiers if you don't agjust them into the right place in your wetsuit before jumping.

I love my warrior 2 harness. It never has ridden up on me, stays were I put it every time. It is really comfy for me, doesn't have that huger over sized back to get in the way. The new warrior 3 is softer on top edges so it is more comfortable on toeside riding. I'll be upgrading the the warrior 3 soon. You can buy my warrior 2 harness Smile

size medium

kenja · Since 19 Jun 2008 179 Posts Stoked

I second the Dakine Fusion seat harness. It's basically a waist harness with leg loops.

If you like big air and ride over powered, the seat harness is the only way to go in my opinion. I rode waist harnesses when I windsurfed and it took me a while before I even tried a seat harness for kiting, but once I did, I have never gone back. Bye to sore ribs, constantly tugging on my harness, and blown open Velcro.

The only time I would even consider a waist at this point is for strapless surfboard riding because the hook is a little higher and it offers a little more mobilty for toe side riding.

Nak · Mon Feb 07, 11 9:43 am

I really like the Dakine Nitrous. (Board shorts with harness built in.) All the advantages of a seat harness and it doesn't feel like you're wearing a diaper. Very Happy

I like the older versions a lot better than the newer versions though. They still work, but they make you wonder why they screw up a perfectly good harness just for the sake of making changes. Rolling Eyes

BTW, wear some kind of shorts under them to prevent chafing. I couldn't hardly walk for two days the first time I tried them because of the chafing.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Feb 07, 11 11:17 am

I dig my mystic. If I am ever going on a long down winder (like the blow out that never happened this year) I still wear the diaper though.

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

When I first started I rode a seated harness so it wouldn't ride up on me all the time when I was body dragging. After a while though I realized that I couldn't do toe side riding in a seated because the harness wouldn't let my hips rotate like I needed (while hooked in). I switched to a waist harness and at first didn't ride with a vest. Once I started wearing a vest though I can't go back now. Now it seems like the harness just digs into my ribs if I'm not wearing the vest. The vest does ride up some so usually when I come in for a break I have to re-set it.

As far as flotation I wear my 5-4-3 wetsuit year round which gives me as Steve coined it "Otter like flotation". I don't wear a PFD but I don't have to expend any effort to stay on the surface either; very nice for those long body drags with little wind.

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

I've got a Dakine impact harness - it rides up after about the first hour or so depending how wet it is when you initially tighten it. I typically take a break after that time and adjust it and it's generally good to go. The riding up really only bugs me when i have to stay out on the water - I can lay back and have the kite pull it back down, but it's not the same.

I tried some dakine nitro shorts when my impact was in for repair last summer - really like them. If I see a good deal on size 32's I'll probably get some this year. The only problem I had was that the leg straps we too small for me. A size 34 waist is tight on me, so I got the 34 shorts. The waist was good, but the leg straps were just barely tight with all the slack in! Maybe I just need to eat more. Anyway, try it on and make sure the straps are good.

Seat harness are nice on the back, but the pull is different and they tend to look like diapers. Smile

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

I wear the Pro-Limit kite waist vest for floation. It fits alot better than the mystic razor vest and looks better. It provides great floation and doesn't get in the way of my waist harness. Costs a bit more but is totally worth it. I don't wear regular life vests cause they provide too much float and restrict mobility and bending. Waist vest is the way to go.

In summer I just wear the Mystic D3o impact vest. It is freaking swank!! provides some floation, warmth and doesn't ride up even with my waist harness on. Plus you can belly flop from a miss timed kite loop 20ft in the air and your chest doesn't feel a thing! Can't say the same for my head and nuts though... Sad