Hi everyone,
I previously used a Mystic Warrior softshell waist harness before recently switching to a Duotone Radar seat harness as I was getting lower back pain from the Warrior. I decided to go back to a seat harness for the back support but my question is, would a hardshell waist harness like the Mystic Majestic provide a similar level of back support to a seat harness or is a seat harness always a better option for minimising back pain?
As an aside, what seat harnesses have you had good experiences with for back support?
Select to expand quoteOSprey42 said..
Hi everyone,
I previously used a Mystic Warrior softshell waist harness before recently switching to a Duotone Radar seat harness as I was getting lower back pain from the Warrior. I decided to go back to a seat harness for the back support but my question is, would a hardshell waist harness like the Mystic Majestic provide a similar level of back support to a seat harness or is a seat harness always a better option for minimising back pain?
As an aside, what seat harnesses have you had good experiences with for back support?
Back pains can vary quite a bit from one person to another and choosing the right harness is quite personal as well. The key is to try a variety of harnesses, ideally in action rather than in a kite shop. In my experience, hardshell harnesses offer great support but that doesn't mean they won't cause you any back pain based on your back problems.
Over the years I realized just how much the body shape is important when going for a waist harness. If you have a flat stomach then a good waist harness should offer excellent support. However, if you have a belly, then a waist harness can be a bad choice as it will most likely rise up regardless of how good and how expensive the harness is. A waist harness that rises up can be quite annoying, uncomfortable and will most likely aggravate your back problems.
hope this helps
Christian
Select to expand quoteOSprey42 said..
Hi everyone,
As an aside, what seat harnesses have you had good experiences with for back support?
I have been using board short harnesses for years and find these the best all round for my needs. Dakine Nitrous HD have been the most used and have just bought my first pair of Ion B2's....they are a bit dearer but i feel they are made a little better....its a bit harder to get to demo harnesses, i still have a brand new (used once) NPX waist harness in my shed....don't like waist harness at all!
Good luck!!
Select to expand quoteKiteBud said..OSprey42 said..
Hi everyone,
I previously used a Mystic Warrior softshell waist harness before recently switching to a Duotone Radar seat harness as I was getting lower back pain from the Warrior. I decided to go back to a seat harness for the back support but my question is, would a hardshell waist harness like the Mystic Majestic provide a similar level of back support to a seat harness or is a seat harness always a better option for minimising back pain?
As an aside, what seat harnesses have you had good experiences with for back support?
Back pains can vary quite a bit from one person to another and choosing the right harness is quite personal as well. The key is to try a variety of harnesses, ideally in action rather than in a kite shop. In my experience, hardshell harnesses offer great support but that doesn't mean they won't cause you any back pain based on your back problems.
Over the years I realized just how much the body shape is important when going for a waist harness. If you have a flat stomach then a good waist harness should offer excellent support. However, if you have a belly, then a waist harness can be a bad choice as it will most likely rise up regardless of how good and how expensive the harness is. A waist harness that rises up can be quite annoying, uncomfortable and will most likely aggravate your back problems.
hope this helps
Christian
To help those with waist harnesses riding up... a pro rider once told me to loosen your harness... my god what a difference! Sounds counter intuitive but way more comfy and if it does ride up, just lean back and it will slide back down..
As i do wave riding mostly, i always have my harness loose so it can slide around when riding toe-side. This means i only buy harnesses with neoprene on the inside...never those with the rubber or EVA on the inside (if tight and they ride up then you're screwed)
Have tried a hard backed rigid harness... terrible thing, never again.
Also tried the rope slider ones for wave riding.... absolutely useless.. designed by someone who has never ridden toeside.
I like the Ion ones with neoprene inner and they have a number system... determining the stiffness... find one that suits you.
I think waist harnesses are ok for learning (mainly because they allow you to sheet out more) but once you get better you will want more flexibility.
I"ve had back pain from both rigid back and too-soft- back waist harnesses... try a stiffer, non-rigid waist harness...and use it looser (so it can rotate and slide up and down reasonably easily)... so stay away from the grippy inners (annoying that most are going that way).
HTH
