I have ridden waist and seat harness now but I am still unsure

In swapping between the two for me:
tacks and gybes require no change in movement
riding upwind is easier in heavily overpowered conditions with a waist harness (contrary to what you would think)
body positioning to get max upwind angle is easier in a waist harness
pumping the board is easier with a waist harness in super light winds
gust response is easier in a waist harness (you can go to poo stance)
legs get less fatigued in the seat harness
waist harness is much more comfortable

What are everyones thoughts? On paper because of the physics of it the seat should be better, but it doesn't seem like that in practice to me!

Its a good question. I have spent much time with both. Seat - when you get in the right position, you can transfer more force through your back leg. But overpowered, simply you are stuffed. You can't thrust your ass to the breeze like a waist and get through the gust. I am sticking with seat, but only because I can't take the pain with the upriding waist on the old broken ribs.

JBFletch said...

im about to purchase a new harness.

i've never kited with a seat harness.

seems the world tour is mixed.

please help.


hahaha

I was riding with a waist, then a seat, now going back to a waist, performance seems the same and a waist is more comfy for me.

Great post, I am in the same position, Thinking of changing to a seat. so very interested to hear what people are saying.

My personal preference is seat. Started on a waist and was struggling. First time I used a seat was a whole lot easier. Just find it easier to use your hips to control power rather than your back.

Use my seat harness for TT on flat water chop and small waves. Also less strain on back.
Use my waist harness for surfing waves and downwinders, better for toe side as the waist harness can twist around slightly.
Have not tried race board yet...so no opinion...as yet.

Which seat harness is popular? Which brands? I've tried on a few in a shop but just couldn't decide. I was thinking of one of the hybrid harnesses. But not sure on that either