Darren from AKS also sorted me out with an Ion Apex for me recently - was quite expensive compared to previous harnesses I've owned but wow - it's worth every penny. Really firm and supportive, but has 2 great qualities from my perspective - I can adjust it easily on the water (literally whilst kiting mid tack) and I can wear it loose and the bar/pad doesn't ride up or twist. I ride a surfboard a lot and like my harness to twist around when I'm toe side, yet the bar never digs into my ribs. Highly recommended.

What year is the apex I have a 2013.and find it hard as to adjust I also have the 2012 model and found thatgood for adjustment it had like a clamp you squeeze and worked well

Dakine Tabu waist harness is the go for me(jumping everything), comfy & very durable. Having the harness now for 7years, it is time for an upgrade. bought the ion vertex, but this one gave me a lot of back pain. Try the Dakine Renegade next.
Cheers

Eppo, I think it's because you tend to sit down against the seat harness to handle power, rather than edging the board harder. You're actually resisting the pull of the kite with your hips, so you push them out and... pooh. That's what I noticed going from seat to waist...

I've had Dakine Fusions, replaced yearly since 2010 and they've varied in comfort... 2013 is comfy once it's broken in. I didn't know the 14 was out yet.

Also have a Renegade, which is quite comfy but I'm still getting used to it riding up etc - waist attributes. I've found that not wearing a t-shirt over the wetsuit, or any thing under the suit, makes sure it stays in place a lot better.

Better work out for the abs and my back never hurts with it... which was why I got a seat in the first place - had a microdiscectomy in 2006.

Also have an OR Session II in the cupboard... but I need to lose more weight

nah

eppo said..

My understanding of the poo stance is hips drawn back, legs bent and upper body forward...maybe I have my definition wrong?

nah you're right eppo

just got to think like a newb though - instead of straightening back leg to control edge, and pelvis out as you are describing due to lift through harness, they keep crouched over board and fight against the seat harness which is trying to straighten them out (because they don't know how to edge, when they straighten they pearl straight over front rail etc). kind of like squatting their centre of gravity over the board.

had a mate on seats for the past year and style was *cough* an issue *cough* but since going to waist he has learnt to lean back against the kite a lot better... you know who you are che... haha

eppo said..

Cool makes sense now

Hmmmmmmm The penny's dropped

Dakine Renegade is also worth a demo - best harness Ive had so far.

I have a 2013 Dakine Renegade, cos they are one of the few in XXL and the shop that responded to email only had Dakine...

It's comfy enough, when it stays in place :D

mystic warrior III and dyna bar
****

although, after 2 seasons the velcro won't stick for the whole session (would have given 5 stars if velcro worked) - and no haven't a fat guts....

does anyone have this velcro problem, fix ? its relatively clean - could shake some more sand out and give it a comb to scuff it up a bit

doesn't really bother me as I like to ride it loose

out of interest what do they cost now ?

mf