Noob Question - Seat Harness Hate. What are my options?

beej · Since 16 Jul 2010 180 Posts Stoked

Last year I used a DaKine Fusion seat harness and the few times I made it out before my wife broke her back and my season was cut short, I really hated that thing. It felt uncomfortable, bulky, and dreaded the "diaper effect".

I took some lessons in So. Cal and in HR, but am just starting out on my own, and have a long way to go before I'm not a beginner.

What are my options? Are waist harnesses an advanced rider tool only? Would a boardshort harness be any better? If you have a boardshort harness, can you wear it over a wetsuit, or do you need to have 2 harnesses for cold/warm conditions?

I'm biding my time waiting for the current to slow, and want to be ready to hit the ground running as soon as the river is beginner friendly again.

Any advice you would have for me?

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

I would recommend a mystic harness. they have great support and are the only one I've found that don't ride up. The first time I used shorts I racked my babies and have since only used them for snowkiting.

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

I learned on the waist harness and love it although when I was starting out my tendency was to bend at the waist rather than lean back and it use to ride up on me. Once I started leaning back, it has worked well for me.

krueg · Since 16 Feb 2010 51 Posts Wenatchee Wa **CGKA Member**

Use a waist harness! they are very user friendly and your nuts will thank you....( I'm assuming you are male of coarse)

MKHR · Since 28 Aug 2007 116 Posts Hood River Stoked

Comes down to personal preference.

Some people like the seat harness because it pulls from a little lower in your center of gravity. It seems like the vast majority of people (my observations in the Gorge) use waist harnesses.

Don't steer clear of a waist harness because you have the impression they are only for "advanced" kiters.

Try a few on and see which is the most comfortable. I had a Dakine Pyro for a few years, then switched to a Dakine Renegade and found it to be way more comfortable with far better lumbar support.

craz z · Since 01 Dec 2008 130 Posts Montana Stoked

Absolutely love most of dakines products but harnesses are not one of them.

I've owned still do the fusion I know why your back hurts after my first session with it its sat in the closet ever since.

Really wanted to get into the waist harness.

Bought the renegade. everything was great except 2 things. couldn't breathe got it tight enough to stay put still rode up a bit and I like breathing better so it now sits in the closet.

2nd problem was on snow and when its cold with wind the lock piece is almost impossible to get off without it all dakine bars and harnesses are worthless.

My go to harness is north. best lock system on the market. its soft not super ridgid like others and you choose to put the leg straps on or not. Couldn't get one when i bought the renegade and mines almost worn out.

Still need to try the board short harnesses I tried one on and didn't like having zero back support.

Best thing to do is hit up some shops and put em on. Unfortunately it won't make much difference til you try it out on the water but its a start.

MKHR · Since 28 Aug 2007 116 Posts Hood River Stoked

I got the Renegade for $50 new off the Tramdock website (now defunct, but similar to chainlove.com and steepandcheep.com).

I like some things about the Renegade, but there are a few things that bug me. Most notably the little red clip that ensures the bar stays attached to the metal clips, and having to step into/out of the harness because of the anti-ride-up strap that secures the bar.

Based on your post, cray z, I am tempted to try a North.

beej · Since 16 Jul 2010 180 Posts Stoked

perryj, off to look at the Mystic's. Thanks for the tip. I look forward to shedding this seat harness!

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

I have the mystic warrior and the shadow. Love them both and not sure which one I like better. The shadow is alot more comfy and moveable but the warrior has better back support for big jumps. Its a toss up.... Neither one of these harness ride up on me at all.

DangleMaster123 · Since 01 Aug 2010 38 Posts

this is what i use, doesnt hurt the babymaker too bad, and its pretty stylish fits in with all the new neon stuff thats out right now. This one is pretty cheap i would hit it up for this price for sure.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Windsurfing-Harness-Cyclone-Pro-Gear-/250841068470?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a674af3b6

If you dont end up getting it let me know because i could use a backup

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

When I started I used a waist harness and switched to a seated harness because it rode up on me a lot due to having bad kiting posture and body dragging frequently. After I got better though I realized it was very hard to ride toe-side with the seated harness that I have because it kept pulling my hips around to face the kite. I switched back to the waist harness and I love it now. I can definitely see the benefit of a seated harness if you feel like your waist harness rides up too much. I would try them both and see what you think. Oh and a seated harness with a wetsuit seems to not be a friendly combination for the testicles; that might not be an issue for you in California.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1734 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

The north styler is one of the most comfy waist harnesses I have worn. The connection system is one of the better ones out there, but I think the webbing wears quicker on this harness because of the wear points. I had the air styler, filled it with air and never had to fill it again, that was the nicest feature on the air styler.
I eventually got rid of it and went with the new mystic warrior 3 waist harness this spring. It fits slightly different than the styler,covering more of your back and torso than the styler, but the fit is nice with the soft lining around the edge. the latch system is easy and solid. it has a secondary strap to keep spreader bar from riding. north was smart and put a buckle on theirs. I added one to the mystic. that way it is a quick disconnect. mystic has a nice knife that comes with it and has a slot under the spreader bar for knife storage.
I also keep a pair of daking harness shorts. these work better with a drysuit because the OR drysuits have a slippery material and waist harness tends to ride up. harness shorts are nice too when its nukin and want some major dangle time.

beej · Since 16 Jul 2010 180 Posts Stoked

So I went with the Mystic Warrior. Dangle, that one is all yours.

Thanks for your help guys! The DaKine is now up for sale if anybody wants it!