I have ridden waist and seat harness now but I am still unsure

In swapping between the two for me:
tacks and gybes require no change in movement
riding upwind is easier in heavily overpowered conditions with a waist harness (contrary to what you would think)
body positioning to get max upwind angle is easier in a waist harness
pumping the board is easier with a waist harness in super light winds
gust response is easier in a waist harness (you can go to poo stance)
legs get less fatigued in the seat harness
waist harness is much more comfortable

What are everyones thoughts? On paper because of the physics of it the seat should be better, but it doesn't seem like that in practice to me!

Hybrid seat/waist harness ;)

Its a good question. I have spent much time with both. Seat - when you get in the right position, you can transfer more force through your back leg. But overpowered, simply you are stuffed. You can't thrust your ass to the breeze like a waist and get through the gust. I am sticking with seat, but only because I can't take the pain with the upriding waist on the old broken ribs.

im about to purchase a new harness.

i've never kited with a seat harness.

seems the world tour is mixed.

please help.


hahaha

Select to expand quote

JBFletch said...

im about to purchase a new harness.

i've never kited with a seat harness.

seems the world tour is mixed.

please help.


hahaha

I was riding with a waist, then a seat, now going back to a waist, performance seems the same and a waist is more comfy for me.

ive injured my ribs and have to go seat .
tried a 3 different dakine seat harnesses .
the more supportive fusion was also restictive
the old sailboard one kept coming undone !!!
the speed seat harness wasn't as restrictive and didnt load my lower [sore] ribs .
all gave wedgies.
im liking the seat atm or i dont kite .

Great post, I am in the same position, Thinking of changing to a seat. so very interested to hear what people are saying.

Flying Objects Flight Control Combo

That way if you find that you don't like the seat harness thingo you can just chop the leg straps off and you have a waist harness.

My personal preference is seat. Started on a waist and was struggling. First time I used a seat was a whole lot easier. Just find it easier to use your hips to control power rather than your back.

I have gone with a seat harness. It puts sooo much less strain on my back - a good thing since having a snowboard accident a few years ago. I also find that I can hold down a lot more power than with a waist harness.

I recently tried my waist harness after using the seat for a couple of years. This fairly quickly confirmed for me that a seat harness is the way of the future.

Use my seat harness for TT on flat water chop and small waves. Also less strain on back.
Use my waist harness for surfing waves and downwinders, better for toe side as the waist harness can twist around slightly.
Have not tried race board yet...so no opinion...as yet.

I got a hold of a brand spanking new, race specific waist harness.

Seemed fine, could hike, had movement.

Only thing is my legs killed, especially my thighs.

any idea which harness fixes this???
hahah

Which seat harness is popular? Which brands? I've tried on a few in a shop but just couldn't decide. I was thinking of one of the hybrid harnesses. But not sure on that either

There are three regulars in Sydney using Dakine Vega's. Nice harness quite minimal and comfy :) It took me awhile to transition from using a waist harness but my ribs much prefer the seat :)