I had a little search and couldn't find anything completly dedicated to the pros and cons of the different harnesses.
I am looking into getting a new one, and was not sure which way to go, waist or seat?
What are the advantages of each and disadvantages of each?
I want to get better at kiting in the surf, but I also want to continue learning to get airborn.
Thanks in advance.

get a mystic waist

try on a few at your local shop and go for it, super comfy, well made and about the same price as others.

on the topic of the mystic's, how have you guys setup the handle pass leash system?

Mine has a fair amount of slack in it and hangs down a bit. I guess if its too tight then the ring won't move freely, but was wondering if any of you have found a way to do it slightly differently.

cheers

Here you go Meekat..

www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=6311

www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=6310

Leash is passed through itself on one side, through the ring on the other side and attaches to the quick release on the spreader. When the harness is on the leash is tighter. Kite leash slides along OK.

yeah i thought waist would be a better upgrade. At the moment I am in a seat, and feel like it is pulling me in an awkard way, which hurts my back after a few days of riding in a row.
thanks for the tips fellas.

Spend an hour in your local shop trying all the harnesses. I went in to buy a mystic warrior because everyone recommends them . . and they look awesome. But after loading them all up on a bar I found the new naish was way more comfy for me. Every body is different.

my mystic warrior stills looks almost new after 12 months of use. no fraying, no loose stiching. did take a couple of sessions to break it in tho!

Dakine,Mystic and Naish all sit at the top of the heap,thats not to say all the brands are very good with heeps of experimentation done buy them to establish comfort, strength and durability for the consummer.Body shape play's an important roll in personal choice,and like many suggest, try them on at your local kite shop,another reason to buy from a kite shop rather than the nett as your local dealer will help in makeing the right decision with you

I've been using the Ocean Rodeo Session harness for over a year now. It's a hybrid seat/waist harness. Before that I had a Dakine Fusion seat. The Session is nice because it's not designed nappy style. Basically just a wait harness with a couple of straps that go around each leg, preventing the harness from riding up at all. Provides a lot more freedom of movement than a traditional seat harness. Rotating hips, riding toeside, etc. is not a problem.

i reakon your age and back health should play a part in your decision.

if ya back is not so hot or ya on the wrong side of 40 and really "feel those sessions" i think you have to really decide if you kite with waist and risk the back or go with seat and deal with the performance set backs.

I have a near new waist harness...every time i have tried to make the transition my back seems to yelling at me "what are you doin you knob"

its seat harnesses and walkers for me

I'd recommend a spreader bar pad if going the waist harness, makes it heaps comfier for my daikine waist harness for both general riding and when jumping while hooked in..

Courses for horses but I disagree with all.
I've been using a Dakine seat harnesses for years and thought I would give a waist harness a go so I brought a brand new Pro Limit last summer. I hated it and persisted with it 5 times. I paid $195 for it and if someone wants to give me $120 for it, its theirs.
Size large and honestly used 5 times.
Garth

quote:

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Originally posted by meerkat

on the topic of the mystic's, how have you guys setup the handle pass leash system?

cheers

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I've been looking at a few sites about the harness and Ta Daaaa
http://www.ikiteboarding.com/kiteboarding/news/77/mystic-warrior-waist-harness.aspx

heya Dawn Patrol

i started out on a dakine fusion seat harness, was wicked and comfy for learning, restrickting for the waist tho.

but have graduated to a Mystic Warrior waist (heaps better for the surf), and have to say its pretty much aleast as comfortable as the Dakine seat, and i recon thats saying alot for a waist harness... you gotta try one!!! heaps of support, huge spreader bar... the only time it rides up is if i dont tighten it up enough,

and i,m a pretty fat bastard :P 90kg on a good day, so yeah ive got abit of a gut :) he he, luv my bevies..

I recon the north waist harnesses are worth a try too, i think theyre abit cheaper..

cheers

merman

I had the safety come undone on my mystic warrior a couple of weeks ago when I got slammed into the water. Anyone else had that happen? I'd never really paid much attention to it though, and when I put it back on I made sure the velcro was done up perfectly, I could see it may not have been beforehand.

The weld on the hook is rusting too, it's less than a year old, anyone else had that happen? I wonder if I should look into a warranty fix.

Other than that it's pretty sweet, though it did work up a bit of a sore spot on my hips after a mammoth session the other day, I wonder if it's really the right shape for me. It certainly stays put better than the old pro-limit did.

quote:

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Originally posted by richo

i reakon your age and back health should play a part in your decision.

if ya back is not so hot or ya on the wrong side of 40 and really "feel those sessions" i think you have to really decide if you kite with waist and risk the back or go with seat and deal with the performance set backs.


Being on the wrong side of 40 I have experienced first hand the feeling of getting body dragged with a waist harness and no spinal support from the waist down. Seat harness for me.

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