Used O&E One Sup leashes exclusively since I started SUping about 6 years ago.

Had 2 early ones break but replaced under warranty.

Most used 8 ft one has lasted about 2 years but just changed to a Balin Storm 8ft 10mm knee version due to a bad ankle.

Not sure I like the fat cord but I don't mind the knee attachment. It's better in that the leggy doesn't twist around like the ankle type and takes the load off my ankle of course - but paddling on my knees through the whitewash is slightly annoying. May help motivate me to get off my knees though.

Another tip to avoid fin cuts is to get Surfco Proteck fins. Safe - and performance is fine for me.Time on the waves is worth more than a long risky swim or weeks off due to injury (or worse) from fin cuts in my humble opinion. (Also speaking from experience).

Just saw the new Jaws version today from DaKine, very impressive but $90

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idris said..
waist leash, get a diving weight belt, remove the buckle, sew on some 50mm velcro, put the ankle cuff around the belt and you're done.
use a 10mm Balin storm, super strong, no stretch (much) and you hardly feel the tug on the waist leash.
good for bad backs and problem knees!!

Why replace the buckle with Velcro?

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askvictor said..

idris said..
waist leash, get a diving weight belt, remove the buckle, sew on some 50mm velcro, put the ankle cuff around the belt and you're done.
use a 10mm Balin storm, super strong, no stretch (much) and you hardly feel the tug on the waist leash.
good for bad backs and problem knees!!

Why replace the buckle with Velcro?

So the buckle doesn't imprint itself into your body, in a serious wipe out, I would imagine

Select to expand quote

askvictor said..

idris said..
waist leash, get a diving weight belt, remove the buckle, sew on some 50mm velcro, put the ankle cuff around the belt and you're done.
use a 10mm Balin storm, super strong, no stretch (much) and you hardly feel the tug on the waist leash.
good for bad backs and problem knees!!

Why replace the buckle with Velcro?

I made one from a cheap diving weight belt that I've been using for over a year.
It has a cheap plastic buckle. It works great.
I had to release it under heavy load a few weeks ago when the leash got wrapped
around another surfer who wiped out into me.

I wear it with or without a wetsuit.
If it pulls it probably isn't quite as comfortable as the velcro waist leashes I have,
but it is my daily driver.