Does anybody else get a crook back from a waist harness? Have considered changing to a seat harness.

Really keen to hear your thoughts on which harness you use and why!

Yeap! Especially on days like yesterday after long down the line runs on the waves at Leighton when I'm trying to tack as hard as I can back up wind that's when it really hurts big time.

Also if the wind is light and I'm trying to hold my ground.

Used to wear a seat but like Carl says using a waist harness will save ya manhood

I started with a waist and ended up with a seat Harness. I find the lower centre of gravity is good for chanelling more power through the legs allowing you to hold more power down.

The harness does not ride up as much but when it does , yes it does give you the Royal wedge. I also find it centres the power a lot better which is more comfortable for my back, it almost helps it to stay upright and straight.

There are pros and cons for both, it comes down to what you are used to and personal preferance.

Hi Laurie,
I started trying out all three types and found that the integrated impact harness was by far the most comfortable for me. Does not ride up and I actually forget I am wearing a harness. I initially had back soreness as I was still new to kiting and my form was poor. Once I started keeping my back straight and using legs and stance to control resistance the pain went away(even after 4-5 hour long sessions)
BUT now I have found that to look really cool, all forward and back rolls and other tricks really need to be inverted and that is a lot easier with a seat harness as your center of gravity is lower so you don't have to whip the legs to get them overhead, just lean way back ane the legs rotate up. So now I alternate harnesses based on conditions. If it is really gusty and I am going to be hitting the water hard then I wear the impact harness, If the wind is consistant and I am looking to improve on rotations then I use the seat. Like any important piece of sporting equipment, you should go with what fits best. a small pain or discomfort will turn into a larger one after continued use(learned that with my first pair of Snowboard boots)

Laurie
If you do go for a seat harness go for the Dakine Fusion as it is very comfortable and supports the back very well mines on to its third season and still not a stitch out of place!!!

Originally posted by Thomo

Laurie
If you do go for a seat harness go for the Dakine Fusion as it is very comfortable and supports the back very well mines on to its third season and still not a stitch out of place!!!

I second that. I love my Fusion its absolutely brilliant & the spreader bar doesnt move a cm because of the 4 attachment points.

I have ridden waists & seats and the waists always hurt my back after a while & I just couldnt ever get them tight enough to stop them riding up when overpowered. Lighter riders may get away with waists, but I think heavier riders suffer.

i found a waist hurt my ribs like hell. so i stuck with my dakine seat. i like it because u can hold down more power, better lifting point when jumping also. u do get wedgied a bit but u can come into the beach to 're-adjust'. ahem. or even do it whilst rifding if ur ok 'no-handed'.

things i dont like with it are that toeside is a bugger for me on starboard tack (im goofie)cos obviously it wont slip round like a waist. and because of this if im riding toeside a lot on port the bar can actually bend out on one side and come off! which is quite a scary thing.

Originally posted by kitesuffer

Hey Laurie,
As a climber I could nev... I bought the Dakine Nitrous shorts. These are shorts with a harness built in. FANTASTIC. Make sure you get a spreader bar pad at the same time. ng as a normal harness but I don't care. SUPER COMFY and no back pain

do you were your boardies with them as well