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Hard shell harness for foiling?

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TomW
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Re: Hard shell harness for foiling?

Postby TomW » Wed Dec 05, 2018 3:46 pm

SENDIT! wrote:
Tue Dec 04, 2018 8:26 pm
TomW wrote:
Tue Dec 04, 2018 5:34 pm
I used a RE for 1,5 years on Hydrofoil. It's OK. Then switched to Dakine board shorts harness with rope slider. It's much better.
Curious to know why you think it's better? I'm using a Ride Engine as well, but if there's something to gain from the Nitrous shorts, I'm interested.

*Disclaimer-I sell both of these and others...
I think this is a comparison of waist to boardshort seat harness. Not necessarily hardshell only. Ive been kiting 17 years, old(er) dude- 59 yrs. In fairly good shape- but BMI 25.

Waist harness Plus:
freedom of hip movement
ability to go into deep crouch
RE is quite comfortable and unobtrusive
Waist harness Negative:
when learning to foil you spend a lot of time in the water- way more than learning regular TT or Surfboard kiting- rides up and restricts breathing
Pull is higher up and when you have learned to lean and charge upwind, the high pull is tiring
Higher pull is more difficult to handle during power spikes during manövers.
You cannot wear a floatation vest ( important for me)
Hardshell harness takes a lot of space when travelling- its heavier.

So the boardshorts harness has all the positives of the negatives above. but to reitierate
negative:
It restricts the crouch and hips but much much less than for example a Dakine Fusion- which i tried and sold.The board shorts have 10% of that problem. its not an issue.
positive
its packs really small and is light
feels like i dont have anything on really
Easy to breath
can wear a floatation vest
protects my wetsuit from foil attack
lower point of pull helps a lot in hydrofoiling.

edit: the Dakine 2018 rope spreader bar has good and convenient attachment- its easy to set and release- it does not glide out of adjustment. The 2017 version was a POShite and dangerous- so i had buy the 2018, and didnt get any refund/discount from Dakine...When i had a problem with RE- they sent me a new one via retail from USA to Sweden after i sent photos to them.

If i summarize there are 3 main reasons: i can wear a floatation vest, the pull is lower, it is more comfortable.

ap888
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Re: Hard shell harness for foiling?

Postby ap888 » Wed Dec 05, 2018 11:34 pm

Seat harnesses have to be very well padded around the leg straps also very thick or it will be very...uncomfortable..

TomW
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 3585
Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2005 6:43 pm
Kiting since: 2001
Local Beach: Vejbystrand, Lomma
Gear: TW Surfboards hydrofoil board 110
Gong Veloce M, 100cm carbon mast
Ozone Hyperlink V1 7m
Hyperlink V2 9m, 13m
Concept Air Wave 4,5m
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Location: Sweden
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Re: Hard shell harness for foiling?

Postby TomW » Thu Dec 06, 2018 7:17 pm

ap888 wrote:
Wed Dec 05, 2018 11:34 pm
Seat harnesses have to be very well padded around the leg straps also very thick or it will be very...uncomfortable..
Of course everything is individual. But this is not the case for me with Dakine seat harness. its very minimal . I always have at least 1,5mm or more wetsuit on.

SENDIT!
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Re: Hard shell harness for foiling?

Postby SENDIT! » Thu Dec 06, 2018 10:58 pm

Thanks for your opinion, TomW. I also use a Dakine Fusion for when the wind is really strong (not foiling then) and wouldn't use anything else. IMHO, the Fusion is the best of the seat harnesses out there. However, sometimes, the freedom of movement that a waist provides is nice. But, you are right; it constricts the breathing and I find myself fatigued in a short time. I had been wondering if I might get some of the waist harness freedom/seat harness comfort with a pair of Nitrous shorts. I think you've convinced me that maybe I can. ;)

ap888
Frequent Poster
Posts: 284
Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2018 2:24 am
Local Beach: Zion/K peir/Inver/Goderich
Favorite Beaches: Good wind/Flat water/Good waves
Style: Foil/Loops/Big Air/Strapless
Gear: Ozone Uno V2 4m
North Neo (17) 5m
Cabrinha Drifter (16) 8m
Flysurfer Sonic 2 -11m
Moses
BWS Stallion 5’
CrazyFly Shox Custom 135
Groove Skate
Ride Engine
Brand Affiliation: HFL
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Re: Hard shell harness for foiling?

Postby ap888 » Fri Dec 07, 2018 9:47 pm

TomW wrote:
Thu Dec 06, 2018 7:17 pm
ap888 wrote:
Wed Dec 05, 2018 11:34 pm
Seat harnesses have to be very well padded around the leg straps also very thick or it will be very...uncomfortable..
Of course everything is individual. But this is not the case for me with Dakine seat harness. its very minimal . I always have at least 1,5mm or more wetsuit on.
Yeah I agree with wetsuit it’s fine but with just boardshorts and seat harness with not much leg strap padding is no fun...


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