CONTENTS
- What a kitesurf harness does
- Basic tips for choosing a kitesurf harness
- How to choose a kitesurf harness among all the types available
- Differences between seat and waist harnesses
Choosing the kitesurf harness that best suits your needs is essential to enjoy kitesurfing, which is why it is vitally important to know all the types of harness available and how to choose one. After all, the harness is the part that connects you to the kite.
If we asked anyone what the essential or most important parts of a complete kitesurf set-up are, the answer would be that a kitesurf kit is mainly made up of:
- Harness
- Board
- Bar
- Kite
Choosing a kitesurf harness that best fits your body and your kitesurfing style can be an odyssey, so today we try to make it easier by explaining the main features of each harness so that choosing one is an easy task.
What a kitesurf harness does
The kitesurf harness is your direct connection to the kite. It doesn't just transfer the power of your kite or sail to your body; it is your last safety system in various tricky situations. That is why we place so much emphasis on this piece of your kit, which, together with the bar, lines, kite, footstraps and board, is one of the key pieces of your complete kiteboarding set-up. The kite harness is the key piece that connects the kite and its lines to you (it sits around your waist).
Basic tips for choosing a kitesurf harness
Just as we did in a previous post on how to choose a paddle surf board, we are also going to guide you on which kitesurf harness to choose. Let's go!
The very first recommendation is to buy a new or nearly new harness. Why? Because a harness moulds itself to its owner's body over time, so if you buy a used harness this quality will be lost, as it will already be shaped to the waist and body of the previous owner. For this reason, if your budget allows, buy a new kitesurf harness; otherwise, we recommend buying one with very little use (nearly new).
The second tip for choosing a kitesurf harness is to check whether it has a handle on the back. This handle is important for our safety, especially while we are learning to kitesurf. If we are with an instructor or someone else, it gives them a quick way to grab hold of us, as with anyone else in need of help.
The third tip when choosing a kite harness is not to underestimate safety. Make sure the harness you end up choosing includes a line cutter or a pocket to hold one.
Are you clear about the kite discipline you feel comfortable in? As you will know, there are many styles of kitesurfing (freeride, freestyle, etc.). There are harnesses for specific disciplines; for example, for waves there are some with sliding hooks. Bear this in mind when choosing a harness!
And finally, a classic: buy cheap, buy twice! The materials harnesses are made from are very important. If a harness fails, it may not release you from your gear when you need it to. For all these reasons, we only recommend quality harnesses; cheap can turn out very expensive. We recommend the brands ION, DAKINE, MYSTIC and RIDE ENGINE (they are the best harness brands on the market).
Read on to find out whether to go for a waist harness or a seat harness.
How to choose a kitesurf harness among all the types available
There are mainly two types of harness, and it is important to know the difference between waist and seat harnesses well.
- Waist harness: It is the most used among kitesurf riders who ride regularly. It is the one we recommend if you are an experienced rider. There are men's and women's models.
- Seat harness: This category is the most used by beginners and in introductory lessons. If you are already an experienced rider but have back problems, this type of harness would also be a good option. The seat harness is more stable but gives less freedom of movement. Keep that in mind! Here too there are men's and women's models (also known as a nappy harness).
Differences between seat and waist harnesses
If you still don't know which harness to buy, let's look at the pros and cons of each and how this can help you decide. We will mainly look at two types of harness to finally choose our kitesurfing harness.
Seat harness features
Pros:
- The harness stays in place while riding. Its shape and design stop it riding up.
- Its centre of gravity is lower than on a waist harness, which makes learning easier.
- It takes pressure off the lumbar area (lower back). That is why we recommended this type of harness earlier for people who suffer from back pain. The seat harness distributes the load (from the kite in this case) better between the legs and hips.
- The price. Seat harnesses are generally cheaper than waist harnesses.
Cons:
- Less freedom of movement. It will make you feel stiffer.
- It is advisable to wear a wetsuit or swimsuit underneath. It can be uncomfortable around the legs.
- They are usually less attractive-looking than waist harnesses and there is less variety.
Waist harness features
Pros:
- It fits more snugly around the waist
- They look more attractive than seat harnesses and there is much more variety.
- It gives you greater freedom of movement.
- Ideal for jumping and doing tricks.
Cons:
- It rides up more easily than a seat harness.
- They are generally more expensive than seat harnesses
- If you suffer from back problems, this type of harness would not be recommended.
Now you have all the information you need to know which harness is best for kitesurfing (taking your tastes and preferences into account).
