I've worn SOOOO many harnesses out - sometimes pretty fast.

Especially earlier when it was about riding TT's really powered and jumping MAX, and using seat for this very purpose - I could destroy a harness in less than a year sometimes

Waist harnesses last somewhat longer, yes, as you can not hold the same amount of power down, and it also slides more, so you dont always get the same hard yank when jumping - so besides being "simpler" thus less prone to wear, it is also less "spike" loaded in jumps.

But they will still wear, both the fabric because of sun and salt - and especially the belts will "tear" more and more at the ends of the spreader bar.

Now, mostly riding waves with less power and waist - my harnesses last about 1-2 years (have had lots of different brands, and always a spare with me so I wont loose a session).

77kg and out +150 sessions a year.

If you are heavier - the harness will wear A LOT faster.

Time on the water (session and number of hours) is really important.

If out less than 100 times per year, it will hold much longer of course - and if only out a couple of hours each time - it will also hold up better

There are differences in different models and brands - but I've found the belt to be the weak link in all of them, and in the long run not that different how fast this wears

With seat harnesses, the leg strap stitching is the weak link, and sometimes also the plastic snap locks - besides the belt wear.

Peter

There's nothing to re-attach them to - the straps go on to the soft material at the bottom of harness ... and that's it, and that's all pulled away. I'd have to add extra webbing onto the harness THEN stitch the legs on that ... too much work!

Both this and my previous one have shown wear on the legs straps ... but the old one I used for 2 years had the 'climbers panties' area around the bum just fell apart ... and I kept it washed in fresh water too.

Hmm ...

Oh, I know what you mean, it's like a pair of blue jeans, just worn out. You need to switch to a more durable harness or at least one that is repairable.

Not 100% impressed with the design of the straps eh - you'd think they'd be better secured to a more solid base ... considering they're supposed to be responsible for your life

Problem is ... I'm not sure I want a higher tow-point harness (back trouble I don't want to repeat) so that may mean the waist-with-seat-straps harness design might be out ... I need to try out my Session 2 in a safe environment and go on a stricter diet

Your a bigger bloke flying bigger kites than the average bloke. you probably have to withstand a higher wear rate in your harnesses. in saying that theres probably a brand out there that will work better.

True that.

But ... they're just leg straps - all they do is stop the harness riding up and in doing so, wedge themselves up my bum. IF they're actually supposed to take more load than that (and they do seem to) then they should be stitched to something other than the soft, spongy comfort material around the base of the harness.

No?

Hey, what about spreader bars? What is their life expectancy? Should they be periodically changed out? When doing inspections, obviously one would not normally see wear or tear until it was too late.

I'm one of those bigger blokes that rides big kites and enjoys big air. My harness is from 2008 and I have had to replace the straps on it twice but the harness and spreader pad are still in decent shape.

What harness you using?