Anyone using any of these (or other) chest harness options for winging? Reports/opinions? I think the higher hook position makes a ton of sense...

rideengine.com/collections/wing-foil-harnesses/products/free-float-wingsurf-chest-harness

northshoreinc.com/shop/wing/wing-harnesses/nsi-wing-chest-harness/

www.flygroove.it/prodotto/trapezio-g-hook-aqua/?utm_source=seabreeze.com.au

Yes, totally agree. I use the WIP 50N WING vest with hook. Got both leashes attached to it as well. So it is my only item I have to wear (except from helmet ofc.). It has got front pocket for a whistle/phone/mirror for DW or offshore conditions (I even have a light on my shoulder and space blanket in the back pocket)! I would recommend it to everybody, well thought out harness, impact vest & extra floatation item. To be sure, it is not the green/red soft WIP vest with the low hook, but this one: www.forward-wip.com/produit/wing-impact-vest-50n/

100% think the higher hook looks better. What I struggle with is the incompatibility of prone paddling. If someone made a chest hook I could slide out of the way I'd buy it today.

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BWalnut said..
100% think the higher hook looks better. What I struggle with is the incompatibility of prone paddling. If someone made a chest hook I could slide out of the way I'd buy it today.

Are you prone paddling and winging at the same time? On most of these you can remove the hook when you aren't winging. At least the WIP and Ride Engine say you can.

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joeballow said..

BWalnut said..
100% think the higher hook looks better. What I struggle with is the incompatibility of prone paddling. If someone made a chest hook I could slide out of the way I'd buy it today.

Are you prone paddling and winging at the same time? On most of these you can remove the hook when you aren't winging. At least the WIP and Ride Engine say you can.

I ride in the Columbia River Gorge where it can be quite gusty, holey, and I commonly find myself many miles away from my launch. Prone paddling through dead zones or back to the launch is something that happens, rarely, but when it does I appreciate the sliding waist hook so I can paddle without damaging my board/deck pad.

I use the WIP one and very happy with it, comfortable and doesn't ride up.

www.forward-wip.com/produit/wing-impact-vest-50n/

Also means you can use much shorter harness lines so less flapping about (I'm fairly short but I seem to be happiest on 22")

The best solution I found: impact vest, N50 floatability, high hook (right below chest) with cork cover to not scratch the board, tool pocket, leash attach points at the back.

The only thing I added was a plastic back support through the belt to spread the load of the belt against my back.

The vest and belt are to be bought separately. For total 220 EUR I thought it was a great deal.

Have it now over a year and no complaints. Final plus, it keeps the core warm too on the cold days.

I tried waist belt hooks and those feel less intuitive. Before this I had an O'Neill comp slasher impact vest ...and damnit at every fall it crept up or folded at the back. It was nice snug and warm but annoyed by the folding and creeping up. The sooruz has a strap way at the bottom and it really works. No folds or creeping up.

This thing is well designed.

It's great to see more options on the market since I last researched this.

While I wrote the above about the Sooruz solution I admit that as I progress my needs also change.

I could do away with the impact + floatability features and have something lighter on me with still a high hook. I must say I like the Ride Engine solution.. hook and water supply.

The WIP vest looks good too packed with features incl N50 for a good price.

I guess it depends if you want impact, float, high hook and attachment points the WIP and Sooruz offer good solutions.

If it's just hook + water there are the Ride Engine and Flygroove (and probably others)

Some promising developments here...nice...

BUT, some whiney nit-picky issues are keeping me from getting any of these right now...based on my arm-chair analysis:

Wingman: $$$$$; overbuilt?
Ride Engine: No leash attachment points (how on earth can you NOT include these? I can rig something, but still...). Love the big pocket on the back, likely would ditch the water reservoir and hose though and use it for other stuff.
Sooruz: N50 flotation not really needed/welcome, and doesn't look like the hook/belt is well supported around back; hook not that high up and can't be moved out of the way
Forward WIP N50; N50 flotation not really welcome; not sure how the protection is around the ribs (key for me with an integrated vest, and I really like my current impact vest for that). Hook not that high up and can't be moved to the side.
NSI: looks a bit clumsy in its execution, but could be a winner (a pocket would be nice though).

I'll add the Ion Rush...similar to the Wingman, cheaper but still $$$ to me:

www.ion-products.com/en/us/products/ion-rush-wing-vest-unisex-2025-48250-4724?color=900_black