Rider: Weight,Level (beginner,intermediate
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Wake, Freestyle
Weather: BLOWIN
Build Quality: ?/10
Satisfaction: ?/10
Disclosure: (e.g. work at a shop/team rider etc)
My Comments:
I currently have a dakine storm seat harness and am thinking that a waist harness might be a better option as everyone seems to favor them. What's the difference between the two?
seat harnesse seem to be better for people who spend most of their time with their kites above their heads and people who have bad backs.when you start riding with your kite low a waist harness wont ride up anyway. and imo they r more comfy. also neva tried it but i think unhooking with a seat harne wood feel weird.
if you into big air, or speed, the seat will be better. Also you can hold more power comfortably with a seat, hence why speed freaks use them.
if un hooked is what you want to do then go the waist
i found the seat was more comfy and i could go out on the water for a longer sesh, sometimes though, the harness can give you a wedgie and the straps around your legs get anoying if you are wearing boardies.
mystic make a good range of both.
cheers
Thanks for the advice guys, I bought a mystic warrior waist harness and got rid of the seat harness, what a difference!!. soooo much more freedom, and i din'nt feel like my center of gravity was way to low. Also the family jewels are a lot happier after a 3 hour session!!!
I use an Ocean Rodeo Session Harness, which has leg straps that normally attach on either side of the harness, but I have modded it so the leg straps are attached to each other through a loop on my hook, a bit like a climbers sit harness. I get the freedom of having the harness slide from side to side, while making sure it never rides up more than I want it to.
I switched from a waist harness to the dakine nitrous shorts (seat) about 12 months ago due to lower back pain.
No doubt the seat is better on the back and great for jumping. Where I don't like it is riding toeside on my unfavoured tack is harder as is riding blind.
The other problem area is when I stack a hooked in kiteloop the dragging through the water can be an issue as you feel like your body is getting folded in half (backwards) at the harness. This doesn't happen as badly with a waist harness as it will ride up and pull you through the water with less drag...I think!
If you don't suffer lower back pain I'd go with the waist harness.....until it gives you lower back pain.
Waist harness is the go, unless you suffer back problems like myself.
But on the plus side, the seat harness is very comfy & can ride for hours. I'm using a mystic also
If you ride toeside a lot then waist is the go.
The seat harness puts a massive twisting force on your lower back. It caused me lots of back problems. They all disappeared with the waist harness.
For general riding, if your technique is good a waist harness is more comfortable. Good technique being having your back fairly straight, hips forward, shoulder back, arms straight, and your upper body facing the direction of travel. If you do the poo-man stance (riding along hunched over and bent like you're taking a dump) then the seat harness is better.
I'm not sure about the edging and jumping bit. I have noticed that I don't get the altitude that I used to get. I don't know if that is kite or harness related.
95 kilos
intermediate
freestyle, boosting
Wind:15 till ???
I prefer a seat harness for pure comfort.
I have just updated to the latest Dakine Storm and this is a lot better than the original one.
..... very comfy i have no problem with boosting high. I fly Ozone edge so i do tend to fly the kite fast. In over powered conditions i think a seat helps hold an edge as you can sit down almost.
Minus ... toe side riding is very hard. The previous coment on dragging bent over backwards is valid.I have first hand experience recently of hooked in kite loops recently. Centre of gravity is low, you can actually get stuck upside down and if you wear them as loose as i do you can even run the risk of slipping out completely. Board offs are a liitle hard also but that could have something to do with gut diameter as well, i find tying shoelaces hard enough.!
I find that a waist harness leaves me sore for a couple of days when ever i try one i feel like i have a big lump in the solar plexus region. But the freedom of movement is far greater. If i spent all my time in the surf i would probibly persivere with the waist harness. for me its all about comfort, so i stick with the seat (at least until I loose another 15 kilos.)
Why do you guys with back pain get worse back pain with a waist harness? I get my share of back pain but have no problems with my Mystic Warrior. I have so much more freedom than with a seat harness. Have a look at your riding posture. Make sure that your hips are pointed forwards and that you are not leaning over to reach the bar. This means that you are overpowered. When I'm powered up with my kite low or at 45, my waist harness supports my lower back so well and I feel so comfortable in it. Also, physio and pilates helps to build the core muscles to take the strain off your back muscles. The only time I hurt my back from kiting is from a big stack which has nothing to do with the harness.
I would have to agree with you on that one sunseeker. Since switching to a waist harness my back was sore for a few days but now that i straighten up and stick me hips out most of the soreness has gone. It's all about conditioning!! Tensing your stomach muscles as you ride will support your back. Give it a go!!!
