That design hasn't taken off because it is unnecessary. A well fitted harness doesn't ride up hardly at all. Not to mention that seat harness' seem to be more restrictive to your movements.

2 years is a long time in harness evolution. 2 years ago you could only get black or white harnesses but in 2011 you can also get orange.

bennie said...
2 years is a long time in harness evolution. 2 years ago you could only get black or white harnesses but in 2011 you can also get orange.

2012 now multi- colored even.
Seriously though there are a few pretend waists with leg straps. Mystic Aviator is another one you could look for. Check the website.
Or pm me I can send u one.

I started kiting in 2001, got a DaKine Tabu waist harness, only ever used the one harness as I never had any issues with it, the old girl is still going strong lol

Harness Technology has increased radically!!
The Australian brand "March fly" Model -"Zip" has an awesome turn buckle which greatly increases up wind ability and lift in the kite.
It also decreases the depower throw on bridal kites cause the spreader bar is on the back of the harness. Perfect for delta kites and other stuff you find kooks riding.
Your kite bar doesn't need a quick release or a safety leash either cause the harness comes with a built in spring loaded Bowie knife with a red "oh sh1t" button.
These harnesses are expensive too and you can find them on www.dumbowdeltafixup.com

Ellobuddha said...

Very happy with Dakine Renegade waist - doesnt ride up at all, but can still wear it a little loose for comfy toeside

I don't like the way that the bar on the Renegade connects to the harness, it's difficult to release. Comfortwise it was OK.

marty72 said...

I started kiting in 2001, got a DaKine Tabu waist harness, only ever used the one harness as I never had any issues with it, the old girl is still going strong lol

ditto a bloke i know, Prawnhead. He has been stupidly devoted to that harness but I think his head has been turned by his new Ion harness.

If you're worried about the harness riding up, just drink lots of alcohol and eat lots of fatty food. Once you have decent love handles no harness will ride up. you will be able to kite in stronger winds too.


Seriously tho, I haven't heard of anyone with issues of waist harnesses riding up or giving back problems for about 5 years. PM me if you want my (6 year old, hardly used) waist harness.

daggy said...

seriously tho... If it's had a few years of use - keep an eye on wear and tear on the straps, I had one break on me a while back. Once the harness snaps you'll find your self in a permanently unhooked position . The kite and your safetys are connected to your harness so you'll be at full arm stretch with no depower, no way to steer, unable to let go(cause the entire rig will just float off), no way to land , no control , no nothing!
Hopefully enough arm strength to get the kite to land on the water , grab one line , wrap it around the bar, do some kind of self rescue. But don't let go of anything!
.

Nah, if a strap breaks its just like letting go of the bar when unhooked. You just pull the leash til you can reach the chicken loop, hold the chicken loop with one hand and steer with the other. Not fun, but doable for long enough to get back to shore. Still, I agree it's a good idea to check your gear.

whatever harness feels the most comfortable to you when you try it on - is the best for you

the new 2011 renegade harnesses are sweet too
www.dakine.com/

Ellobuddha said...

Very happy with Dakine Renegade waist - doesnt ride up at all, but can still wear it a little loose for comfy toeside

Mate it's a harness. Dont look into it so much. I you try it on and it's comfortable then use it. dont get mixed up in all the hype of marketing with these things. I know guy's who have been wearing the same harness for longer than i have known about kiting so do worry about old technology.

koplis said...

Hi,
I'm newbieish, in the market for a new harness and like the idea of the Ocean Rodeo Session 2 - Waist harness with leg straps, best of both worlds etc. (Mostly I like the "not ride up" aspect of it
Turns out it's not in shops and is a pain to get hold of now, with expensive postage to boot, I'm still keen but before I commit I was wondering... it's been out for about 1.5 - 2 years now, is it old technology? or have harnesses not done anything that special in the last two years?

2nd question just for interest - Has anyone else come out with a similar or improved hybrid design? and if not why has that style not taken off? are there irrritating aspects to the hybrid style?

Any thoughts, opinions appreciated

^^^ Hey fecal, I'm always happy for folk to enjoy the humorous aspects of my kiting style. Whether you're laughing with me or at me is a minor detail in the big scheme of things.

Seriously though, kiting unhooked in a straight line is not so hard, even for a rookie like me. Sure it takes a bit of strength, but less if you head downwind a bit. The one hand on bar, other hand holding chickenloop, just makes it easier than riding two hands on the bar with truckier kites or if you haven't pulled a bunch of trim in. As wimpy as my raleys are, they happen now and then and I definitely lose less ground downwind by grabbing the chickenloop to depower when it's time to hook back in than by bearing off to depower my trucky old kites.

P.S. Nice unhooked back rolls last time I saw you on a twintip.

Ha, yeah I guess it depends on when/how it breaks. I broke a spreader bar recently and the velcro belt on my harness held it all together for long enough that I could grab the chickenloop.

Of course if it breaks under a lot of load and you let go of the bar and get dragged for a bit it's likely the waistbelt wouldn't hold, and yes, you'd lose the lot.

ezza said...

Ellobuddha said...

Very happy with Dakine Renegade waist - doesnt ride up at all, but can still wear it a little loose for comfy toeside

I don't like the way that the bar on the Renegade connects to the harness, it's difficult to release. Comfortwise it was OK.

marty72 said...

I started kiting in 2001, got a DaKine Tabu waist harness, only ever used the one harness as I never had any issues with it, the old girl is still going strong lol

ditto a bloke i know, Prawnhead. He has been stupidly devoted to that harness but I think his head has been turned by his new Ion harness.

ended up with a flying objects felix pivec(maybe some of the magic will wear off)as i like my harness to slide around and the old tabu used to move around like a pole dancer with jar of vaseline and a dozen cans of red bull onboard......
good if you like to ride toeside and very comfy
the snakeskin and studs complement my bucket hat and stubbies shorts perfectly...rock& roll eh
thanks to DM at AKS for your advice /service