Hello,
I've been searching the net for a discussion about this but haven't found one so thought I'd start one here.
For the last 4 years or so I've been using an ION Vertex waist harness for surfing with a kite, which is all I do (including strapless jumps). This is a soft harness without any internal pads.
My back is not the best, I have a dehydrated disk between L4 and L5 but I've managed to control and minimize the pain via stretching and others. However, naturally, I want to try to take the best care of my back. And that's why about 8 years ago I tried a hard shell (supposedly they are better for your back), the Dakine C1 I think it was. I did not like it at all as I felt very constrained in my movements and had some back pain after sessions. I tried other hard shells now and again to see if I liked them but I was always left with the impression that their lack of any kind of lateral movement or give is very restrictive, especially for surfing. I have always used rope spreader bars but noticed I also rely on the harness rotating or twisting on my waist to some extent for freer movement.
Now I find myself on the market for a new harness and am again faced with the dilemma of giving the hard shells or hybrids a try, especially since the brands seem to be pushing them so much in terms of back health and many wave team riders also seem to be using them. However, I'm still not convinced as they still seem very restrictive, first of all due to the hard shell of course (it still seems the increased range of movement required for surfing will cause it to push into my ribs) and, second, because of all the pads they have on the inside (which, because they are so sticky and restrict movement, tend to twist the back). Furthermore, I don't completely trust companies pushing the hard shells vs the soft shells, especially since they are hundreds of dollars more expensive...
I have been pretty happy with my soft harness as I've found that it allows more freedom and has more give, both in terms of lateral and circular movement around the waist. It just seems that the softness itself is a good quality to have for the movement requirements of wave riding instead of a bad one. Granted, the up and down travel might be more than a hard shell but I think that isn't as important in the waves as the lateral freedom.
So I wanted to ask for your help. What do you think about my rationale for a soft harness for waveriding vs. a hard shell? Does it make any sense to you and have you experienced something similar? Or have you found that the newer hard shells are better for surfing anyway? Has anyone found the perfect waist harness for surfing with a kite? I've been checking the Manera Halo, Mystic Majestic, Warrior and Star, and Ion Riot Curv and Rival. Any recommendations on these or others?
Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!
Cheers!
Hard to say. Buying a harness is a very personal thing. What works for one might not work for someone else.
Best to try them in real life if you can.
Having back issues and soft shell harnesses isn't the best combination.
You might have to look into seat harnesses, allthough, I'm not sure how much freedom of move they can give you.
One other harness that might be worth looking into is the Ride Engine Momentum. It's a softshell but still gives support.
I used soft shell always due to it gives me more rotation on on my back side wave riding Yes it dose slip up but not when I am ridding down the line Hard shell use if using line or your wast line ? But I find them restricted rotation Myhook ends up slightly around on my back , Back side I also had lower back problems but go too gym 4 times a week to strengthen my lower back
I had lower back problems some years ago as well (ended up having a discectomy in about the same location). After my recovery the physic suggested a seat harness. I've been using them ever since quite happily. when i did try going back to my old waist harness to give it a go, i ended up very sore both during and after the session. I agree with Hornedsquirrel though, best thing to do is give some a try. Even if you can't give any a go on the water, at least in a shop rather than just buying on online off someone else's recommendation.
