Snowkiting harness: over or under jacket?

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2611 Posts The 503 METAL

First couple times I snowkited I got really hot and sweaty under my harness...it also wasn't comfortable with all the material bunched up under there.

I experimented wearing the harness inside my coat with just a poly-pro long underwear shirt underneath and buttoning my coat around the harness. It seemed to work well, but I notice just about all the snowkite regulars wear their harness outside their jackets. What am I missing? Do you wear them looser over your coat than you would for water?

Thanks...

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

Also wanted to add a question to this post, Anyone wearing their climbing harnesses to snowkite ?

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2026 Posts Windward

must be outside ,I never have noticed a heat buildup ,
my harness is about the same as my summer settings (size)over my snow gear
not very loose ,but easy to get to to unhook

forrest · Tue Jan 19, 10 8:33 am

I know Ken Lucas uses pants with a climbing harness built in.

I'm going to modify an old snowboarding jacket to have a harness hook hole. I hate wearing my harness over my jacket.

JMatic · Since 12 Aug 2008 252 Posts Boise, In Dat Ho Obsessed

I do both, depending on the type of riding I'm doing....like Sunday was a boost day and wearing under the jacket didn't give enough padding and my ribs were getting beat up.

So I parked my kite and repositioned my harness over the jacket, more comfort and less kidney jabbing but the slide-upward factor of harness on slick coat material is a pain in the arse.

I prefer over, but if it's a cruiser day on the flats with no unhooking, then inside the jacket all the way.

Bettyboarder · Tue Jan 19, 10 10:20 am

I think Ken actually uses one of the Ozone harness...they are for snowkiting but look like climbing harness

http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/products/accessories/access-sb-harness/info/

I wore mine on the outside of my jacket a bit loose and it seemed to work fine...most people this weekend wore it theirs on the outside...prob just for ease of getting it on and off.

Sol-flyer · Tue Jan 19, 10 12:03 pm

For the past 4 years i have been wearing my harness outside of my snowclothes. Its not exactly the most comfortable, but is easy and i'm usually pretty strung out to get my snowkite fix and do whatever i can to get out there as fast as possible.

Cons that i have experienced...
1) untucked undershirt...no matter what you do
2) sweaty to the point of soaked....then that freezes and hypothermia sets in.
3) the harness will always slip & slide around and never stay seated properly
4) no steez..LOL

So now i've been wearing the harness under the jacket and cut the pockets out so i can put the spreader on the outside of the jacket...viola. Still get sweaty so no perks there...still become untucked...so no perks there. But it does fit better and is more comfortable especially with long flights. I wrench the harness as tight as possible so that the harness will not slide around. I've already had rib injures from the harness being to loose and the spreader bar jabs ya in the ribs...only takes once.

So try both ways and do what feels best...

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

kitetele · Since 20 Mar 2005 121 Posts Portland, Oregon Stoked

The waist harness over the jacket isn't great. The size can be too small for the velcro to wrap and you have to crank it down to keep it down and then you inevitably get a jacket toggle or something jamming in your side. The slim profile snowkite specific one like BB mentioned is probably the ticket. Something with leg loops like a climbing harness would be a cheaper alternative but you then would lose the unhook option.

$ociopath · Since 28 Nov 2007 523 Posts Twilight Zone Addicted

I have had good luck with the dakine nitrous shorts, and finally found a use for them Very Happy

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

Jacob ,
Did you get my PM about carpooling to Snowkite soldier ?

$ociopath · Since 28 Nov 2007 523 Posts Twilight Zone Addicted

Don't know if I'll make it again this year, as I am now the proud owner of three fractures in two different toes. A large rock fell on my foot and broke my big toe and the one next to it.

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

i use an alpine climbing harness if i'm snowkiting in the backcountry, just because its lighter and takes up much less room in the pack.

solkiter · Since 07 Jan 2008 251 Posts ROGUE VALLEY Obsessed

ive got the ozone and the mystic harness..
both are alot better than a waist har.. for snow...
butt the ozone is just about unoticeable under the jacket.. its light and built
like a regular klimbing harness! fits well under the jacket..and rides low creating a lower center of gravity,great for gliding and going big,less lower body dangle,seams to make the seat harnesses work for snow gooood!!
the mystic snow spacific harness is built alot tougher and is a bit less comfortable under, butt still works fine under ..the jacket.
butt seams to work good over aswell its really small around the waist so not asmuch sweating as with a reg waist har...the mystic has a sweat resistant waist deal goin for it aswell ..
my 2 CENTS! Rolling Eyes

peace

captain crusty · Since 30 Aug 2005 92 Posts PDX

BTW
I have a ozone snowkite climbing harness style for sale
08-09 model, if anyone is interested
75$

solkiter · Since 07 Jan 2008 251 Posts ROGUE VALLEY Obsessed

mystics blazers for sale to!!!")
most sizes available 3 left for 125$ !!! each!!
they are really nice snow or water harneses,,

lisponger · Since 25 Jan 2010 9 Posts Kook

Under--- But with bib snow pants has been my best experience...