Rider: 90kg, beginner-intermediate
Style: Freeriding, Freestyle
Weather: 16-20 knots
Build Quality: 8/10
Satisfaction: 8/10
Disclosure: NA

My Comments:

Hi All,

I broke my back and a few other bits and pieces a few years ago in a mountain bike accident (see my Rick Disnick moment here ). Prior to the accident i had just gotten into kite surfing. After a few years of learning to walk again and rehab, I finally got back into kite boarding just on 12 months ago.

I have been using my old Prolimit seat harness that I bought back in 2000 and have to say that whilst it has gotten me by, it isn't exactly comfortable and really does have the nappy look and packed lunch look that seat harnesses are known for.

I purchased a Mystic Warrior 3 (see the for sale section) a few weeks back and whilst it was comfortable in the store, when coupled with my back, rib and lung injuries I found it to be a complete nightmare on the water and I was left in a lot of pain the days after a session.

I picked up a pair of Dakine Nitrous HD shorts yesterday and have to say these are sensational. It only took a few minutes to get them adjusted the way I wanted before heading out and then I spent 2.5 hours out on the water with no discomfort what soever.

These shorts do not ride up at all, they are super comfortable out on the water, they distribute the load really well (through your arse cheeks), the spreader bar sits well and doesn't pound your gut and never rides up.

I have not tried any other short style harnesses so cant compare these with the others out there but can only say that anyone with back or lung issues should take a good look at the Dakine's or any of the others out there.

On the downside, the only faults / downsides I could find were:

- Lower hook position - this isnt an issue per se, just needs some getting used to. It is a bit of a strange feeling first heading out having the pull from the kite coming from that low. The shorts do a really good job of distributing the pull through your glutes and lower back though.

- The leg straps restrict your movement a bit - I found when I first got in the water that I couldn't reach my board handle, I just couldn't bend in the middle enough to get out and reach it. The only time I noticed this was when trying to get my board on, you dont notice it out on the water at all. After loosening them off a bit I found that I had more movement and there was still no riding up. This of course could have nothing to do with the harness and more to do with the massive amounts of food and booze I consumed over the holidays but hey, I will blame it on the harness for now :)

Like most boardies, there is a external velcro-ed pocket which is really handy for keeping your key in and it is fully sealed by the velcro strip so there is no chance of loosing it.

All in all, I am very happy with this purchase and can highly recommend them to anyone struggling with a waist harness.

Cheers.

cracknback

Definite cringeworthy video there, nice work getting back out there. Was thinking about shorts myself due to the waist harness killing my back in moderate winds but bought a dynabar instead. Seems to take a lot of pressure off the lower back.

Hey Cracknback,

I've got a pair of the normal nitrous boardies, I prefer riding with a waist harness but found my lower back was taking strain I think due to riding a surfboard and getting yanked from different directions the whole time compounded by having a bit of a sway back.

I made a sliding harness below that really works like a charm, do not feel fatigued or sore after a kite. My harness sits quite high, I don't know if it is due to the sliding setup or if then harness is a bit big for me as the leg straps are fully adjusted. I like it likes this as it high like a waist but the downside the nuts do get a bit of a wedgy.





In have since shortened the rope so that it is quite tight as some of my kites have a long through, I feel the longer rope does make the movement smoother though.

You can buy an off the shelf setup as well.

Cheers
Rich

We have had lots of customers very sceptical about the Nitrous shorts at the time of purchase but havent had anyone yet that bit the bullet come back to say they dont like them. Those ive spoken too after are all 100% satisfied.
Im using them too and Yep they do feel weird the first time out. Makes you think you have left something off or that youre kiting naked .
But I love them too. I kept my old harness just in case but it hasnt been out with me since.
My only concern (if you can call it that) is that they may not have the incredible durability of the rest of the Dakine range. They are so light weight they may just come adrift after a few seasons rather than the 4 or 5 you would normally expect from Dakine.
And definitely YES to the comment on the hook height. It is by far the lowest bar setting of any seat harness (that I know of).

We've got the Nitrous shorts harness in stock, the Dynabar fits them perfectly too.
Personally, after breaking my back in 5 places, couple of ribs, tibia and knee cap fractures and ligamant issues as well major right arm break and dislocation, I've never had a more comfy harness than a Mystic Warrior 3 and a Dynabar pro wave (rope) setup.

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Kitepower Australia said...
We've got the Nitrous shorts harness in stock, the Dynabar fits them perfectly too.
Personally, after breaking my back in 5 places, couple of ribs, tibia and knee cap fractures and ligamant issues as well major right arm break and dislocation, I've never had a more comfy harness than a Mystic Warrior 3 and a Dynabar pro wave (rope) setup.

As of Friday you have one less pair in stock :)

I did the back in 2 places, 7 ribs, both scapulas, punctured lungs, bruised liver, heart, kidneys and spleen in that accident and about 3 years ago broke 4 ribs again on a motorbike again aggravating the lungs and I think with the combined back and rib injuries, the Mystic (or waist harnesses in general I think) just didn't work for me - it is definitely comfy in the store and a static position, but after less than an hour on the water I was starting to suffer and the following 3 days were hell until the body settled down again. The day after a 2.5 hour session with the shorts I felt fine and ready to head out again.

I may have to give the dynabar a go on the shorts and see how it feels.

As per many many threads out there, there is no one harness for everyone, you just need to get out there and try a few to find the right one.

A week ago I was the only person on the beach in a 12+ year old nappy (I still have a number of kites and a Stonker board from 12+ years ago in mint condition, so may have to bust it all out for a vintage day), now I have a comfy harness that leaves me feeling good after a day out!

^^^ For sure you banged yourself up badly, worse than what I've done in some ways, however as time has passed I've definitely healed up remarkably well, and can now wear a waist harness, but yeah did have to wear a seat when I started kitesurfing. Keep an open mind, stay healthy, exercise and stretch regularly and you may find you can go back to a waist harness in 5-10 years?

Am a big fan of the Nitrous shorts. Am on my 2nd pair, with the first pair still hanging on after 6 years. Very comfortable, lots of adjustments, and no back issues since wearing it. Agree that the newer pair i recently got don't seem as tough as my older 2006 shorts. Also have a Mystic Warrior - nice harness but still not as comfortable for me, so it sits around as an emergency spare.

Have had a dynabar the last 3 years and that is a fantastic help for toeside and walking up the beach.

Also tried the Ion shorts - seemed ok but didn't fit me well and not as well made as the Nitrous.

My bro has the ion shorts best harness he's ever used. But he hasn't tried a nitrous shorts just saying the concept seems to work really well in reality.