Lance, Harnesses contrary to the hype are totally individual. I find the most important things a harness needs to be comfortable are: a nice pad behind the spreader bar, a spreader bar that sits pretty low (some have a secondary strap to keep it low eg. mystic warrior), the right size. Some of the newer harnesses also have non-stretchy velcro straps rather than ones made out of wetsuit neoprene which seems to help with the harness riding up.
Trying them on at the shop is ok, but a harness behaves differently wrapped around a wetsuit and when wet, so it's better to demo a few from mates.....
The search will be long but the reward is great...

I started with a seat and once I moved to a waist never looked back. I found the old seat harnesses had the hook too low which really unbalanced me. Moving to a waist harness really helped me progress.

That said, some of the newer seat harnesses have a higher hook.

I had a DaKine Tabu which for me rode up heaps, hurt my ribs and the sliding spreader wasted my wettie. It was better with the spreader bar pad but still had issues. Other guys loved it. I had a Pro-Limit which was great until it wore out. I have found the Mystic Warrior really good for me. A mate has the Warrior seat harness and loves it.

Just try as many as you can - good fit is important and in my experience a harness that feels great in the shop will not be guaranteed to feel so good in the water.

It is really personal as to what suits you and feels good.

I try to put the harness on as physically tight as I possibly can - although when riding toeside you see peoples harnesses really rotating pointing to the fact that it may not be as tight as you may think?

Maybe I just need to learn to ride unhooked? Still interested in how far people actually tighten their harness, if all else fails I may have to get my share of horse drugs and a lat machine to build up that triangle body :|

Lance,

I have just started practicing riding toeside. I have a Mystic Warrior waist harness. I have been doing it up as tight as a can and it still sides around.

I would love to know if i am doing it up too tight as it has rubbed on my lower back and side causing a rash??? I have started wear a rashie as a result.

Cheers,