Title pretty much covers it...I know using a harness can help (and that a lot of personal preference is involved)...but wondering if there are wing handle types that tend to treat forearms/wrists of people with smaller hands and histories of pain, better or worse...
I have only used squarish soft handles (Takoon Wing V2's), and find myself straining to try and get leverage on these for added control, which generally is not productive and causes some extra pain...I know larger diameter is also harder on me too...
I've noticed more fatigue just going from Swing V2 soft handles to Swing V3 slightly firmer handles! Its possible the tighter canopy of the V3 is also a factor. I don't have much experience with hard handles but I wouldn't expect them to be any kinder on your hands.
I've used many types. Larger hard diameter is very fatiguing and painful (original booms). Smaller and hard is better. for soft handles I prefer round and medium to large diameter. The smallest diameter like on my v3 strike causes pain points from the load being directed into a smaller area in my hand. It hurts my fingers instead of wrists. IMO the best thing you can do is develop the skill to ride smaller wings and faster foils. I'm over 150 sessions in the last year, all on smaller gear and it has been a life changer for my joints.
Select to expand quoteBWalnut said..
I've used many types. Larger hard diameter is very fatiguing and painful (original booms). Smaller and hard is better. for soft handles I prefer round and medium to large diameter. The smallest diameter like on my v3 strike causes pain points from the load being directed into a smaller area in my hand. It hurts my fingers instead of wrists. IMO the best thing you can do is develop the skill to ride smaller wings and faster foils. I'm over 150 sessions in the last year, all on smaller gear and it has been a life changer for my joints.
I think you are right on here...just looking to minimize the pain (financial and physical) in getting there by getting some more recommendations...
...wondering if anyone will take on boom vs. handles in this context...
Select to expand quoteSpokeyDoke said..BWalnut said..
I've used many types. Larger hard diameter is very fatiguing and painful (original booms). Smaller and hard is better. for soft handles I prefer round and medium to large diameter. The smallest diameter like on my v3 strike causes pain points from the load being directed into a smaller area in my hand. It hurts my fingers instead of wrists. IMO the best thing you can do is develop the skill to ride smaller wings and faster foils. I'm over 150 sessions in the last year, all on smaller gear and it has been a life changer for my joints.
I think you are right on here...just looking to minimize the pain (financial and physical) in getting there by getting some more recommendations...
...wondering if anyone will take on boom vs. handles in this context...
My hands are slightly less than medium. I've no issues with the Slick std diameter boom, even wearing winter neoprene gloves. I'm not sure if the skinny boom would be much of an improvement (although others said it was "game changer" for them). Having said that, when I windsurfed, a skinny boom made a lot of difference (although using winter gloves was still impossible).
I tried old Mantis "semi-rigid" handles and they dug into my palms. North Mode handles felt too thick. Last year's Mantis handles too flimsy. I hear a lot of praise for the latest Unit handles.
Select to expand quoteSpokeyDoke said..BWalnut said..
I've used many types. Larger hard diameter is very fatiguing and painful (original booms). Smaller and hard is better. for soft handles I prefer round and medium to large diameter. The smallest diameter like on my v3 strike causes pain points from the load being directed into a smaller area in my hand. It hurts my fingers instead of wrists. IMO the best thing you can do is develop the skill to ride smaller wings and faster foils. I'm over 150 sessions in the last year, all on smaller gear and it has been a life changer for my joints.
I think you are right on here...just looking to minimize the pain (financial and physical) in getting there by getting some more recommendations...
...wondering if anyone will take on boom vs. handles in this context...
Well, on the upside brands are moving towards multiple handle and boom options which is really nice.
I loved my slim boom, definitely my all time favorite and softest impact on my hands. I've gotten very used to my semi rigid soft handles though.
Gloves are definitely still my kryptonite no matter what the handles are. I 100% have to wear a harness if using gloves. Never use it when riding without gloves.
I have tried North Nova/Mode, Ozone Flux and Armstrong XPS.
By far the most balanced (in terms of front / rear hand balance) is the North.
The Ozone Flux and Armie XPS are more muscular wings, catering to the more advanced who wants to feel the wings during most stages of riding. It is not coincidence that most of the people at my local spot, ride the latter with harnesses whereas the split of harness/no harness for people with North is no-harness.
Handles size also different. If you have small hands, I'd be careful choosing the XPS as the handles are pretty beefy. Ozone are small and round and North diameter is something in between
Strike v1 and V2, I was able to ride for 1hr to 1 1/2hour without harness with 5mm gloves and 6mm wetsuit, the V3 I needed a harness. In fact the strikes V1 and V2 are the only wing I was able to ride without harness for a full day on summer in boardshort and wasn't feeling the need of a harness, cannot say the same with other brand I've tried and the strike V3. Anything bigger than 6m for me..I need a harness period, regardless the brand.I think, handle diameter is one factor, the other factor is how the wing pull constantly...higher aspect wing seems to pull less than lower aspect wing that is more fuller and has more grunt at low end.
I did not tried the V4, but they do have some different kind of handles, maybe they will become less physical than the V3?
I know I need to try them, but any words of caution on the DT SLS Platinum boom on this front?
The unit V2 and V3 by Duotone have the smallest that I have found. I have issues too with my hands from years on the windsurf boom and wing nearly every day on the Unit V2 and find them really easy on the hands. I have stayed on the Unit specifically due to the small diameter (as well as great performance) and I am very wary of changing brands or models since I have found these handles. Good luck!
