Iv'e been reading some reports of some newer style harnesses having component failures so I want to share my recent harness purchase.

Had the North soft back harness with the lumbar pump in the back and flogged the daylight out of it. Was a great harness and cost $230 approx 4-5 years ago. $400-500 for a new one and some even more expensive than that, thought got to be something out there that's cheaper.

I found the Naish Arsenal from SOS at Freo. I boost a lot therefore need comfort on the back and sides. Arsenal has memory foam (plenty of it) in the back and sides plus super soft edges top and bottom. It's just as good as the old North if not better. What amazed me was the price. $200, Yeh I know it sounds unbelievable.

I think some manufacturers are heading the wrong way trying to re invent the wheel. Just improve the old school models with better memory foam and more of it. I can get 3 of these for the price of 1 flash model. Would be the best harness comfort wise I've owned.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm in the market and this one had been suggested. Good to hear some real world reviews

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Leech said..
Thanks for the feedback. I'm in the market and this one had been suggested. Good to hear some real world reviews

Hey Leech, did you get the Arsenal? I've had mine for a season now and I have to reiterate this is one of, if not the most comfortable harness I've owned. It's been a god send in the fronts this year.

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hosh said..
I think some manufacturers are heading the wrong way trying to re invent the wheel.

I can't give you enough thumbs mate!

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NorthernKitesAUS said..

hosh said..
I think some manufacturers are heading the wrong way trying to re invent the wheel.

I can't give you enough thumbs mate!

Ah thanks champ. Hope it helps a few starters out. There are the odd occasions where the adage you get what you pay for has it's exceptions.

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hosh said..

Leech said..
Thanks for the feedback. I'm in the market and this one had been suggested. Good to hear some real world reviews

Hey Leech, did you get the Arsenal? I've had mine for a season now and I have to reiterate this is one of, if not the most comfortable harness I've owned. It's been a god send in the fronts this year.

What about the harness riding up ? I switched to a seat harness to avoid that issue but I feel like it limits my legs movement and is causing trouble to do boards off so I'm thinking about buying the top of the line ride engine or ion waist harness to have something comfortable and that don't ride up (or at least not as much)

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LePhasme said..

hosh said..

Leech said..
Thanks for the feedback. I'm in the market and this one had been suggested. Good to hear some real world reviews

Hey Leech, did you get the Arsenal? I've had mine for a season now and I have to reiterate this is one of, if not the most comfortable harness I've owned. It's been a god send in the fronts this year.

What about the harness riding up ? I switched to a seat harness to avoid that issue but I feel like it limits my legs movement and is causing trouble to do boards off so I'm thinking about buying the top of the line ride engine or ion waist harness to have something comfortable and that don't ride up (or at least not as much)

I don't find it rides up. It does loosen up as the session goes on however I've found that happened with all my soft back harnesses. They have a unique spreader bar setup that incorporates a hard section either side behind the spreader bar pad that slots in either side behind the buckles. Also has a good double velcro setup. I haven't had any issues with the velcro so far however the being said it's only 1 season old.

One bug bear for me with the north was lack of velcro behind the spreader bar. It only had a small contact area between the hook and loop. After a session it was hanging out under the spreader bar. I fixed it by getting a canopy maker (cost a 6 pack) to sew 100mm hook and loop right along the connecting sections which gave me another 2 years out of the North and a contact area 200mm wide.

I've never tried a seat or a hard back. I'd like to try one out. If you kite around Mullaz or Pinnaroo maybe we could swap.