any reccomdations for a harness that offers good lower back

[dontfeedthenerd]

I'm riding Liquid Force Boardshort harness myself (2009 model) and like it for general kiting, but for jumps I'm thinking of getting custom molded waist harness, everyone who got em love em.
Check out https://ride-engine.com/

I second an Engine Harness.

Custom moulded, carbon fiber harness. It stays put, distributes the force evenly. Best cash I've spent on kite related equipment since the last time I paid Sonny to fix my kite.

[behindThePeak]

I'm riding Liquid Force Boardshort harness myself (2009 model) and like it for general kiting, but for jumps I'm thinking of getting custom molded waist harness, everyone who got em love em.
Check out https://ride-engine.com/

I second an Engine Harness.

Custom moulded, carbon fiber harness. It stays put, distributes the force evenly. Best cash I've spent on kite related equipment since the last time I paid Sonny to fix my kite.

these harnesses look really cool. do any local shops carry them? or do they only sell online?

[mcfly777]

I have an Ion Apex as well, really like it. That said, I chose the harness by going to a well-stocked shop and trying as many as possible (same with the helmet). Everyone's body is different, and there is certainly not one "best" harness that fits everyone.

Leo

[demo243]

Coleman (Engine) is not quite up to retail distribution on his harnesses… but i think its for the better. Custom molded to your back. Super light and really comfy. really glad I picked one up. But just remember it does not move on your body so slider bars make it much more function in the waves. He is right down in Santa Cruz so pretty local.

[Aloha]

I use the Ion Vertex in Medium and am about 5'8" 190# 32" waist ... fits perfect. It's billed as a flexible "surf" harness and I think it works. I just crank down the inner-strap and that thing moves all over the place while I'm riding but I don't even notice it. I foil Alameda & Crissy, surf OB / Waddell, etc. and that harness is great for all the terrain you can throw at it (I can't really speak to its freestyle potential)

Twin-tip riding generally gives me more lower back fatigue than the foil or the surfboard and a long session on a TT will definitely do it... Especially in the first year when your riding style may not be as flowing / loose. Along those lines strapless will also probably produce less back stress since you're not rooted and your body will assume a more natural / relaxed position (it all starts at your feet). Riding a smaller underpowered kite on a larger board helps as well (not as much kite wrestling translating through your back)

As for SUP'ing I'm going to have to diverge from BTP's opinion - I have an inflatable SUP I take out at Alameda and Crissy in the winter to just get some paddling in and I think it's a great lat / back / ab etc. workout. In some ways it can keep you in better shape than kiting. BUT remember that between Alameda / Crissy / OB you can sort of kite all year long ... although we might have to work you up to some of that ;]

[le noun]

I am actually considering a sup for the off season it just looks so boring!

It is.

However if it builds up my core then it would be worth it.

It won't.

Agreed with behindthepeak.
Start surfing instead.

[behindThePeak]

Coleman (Engine) is not quite up to retail distribution on his harnesses… but i think its for the better. Custom molded to your back. Super light and really comfy. really glad I picked one up. But just remember it does not move on your body so slider bars make it much more function in the waves. He is right down in Santa Cruz so pretty local.

how big are they compared to other harnesses? i'm looking for a harness that packs well, so something on the smaller side...

[alexl]

Because it's custom molded to your back the harness is actually much smaller than a regular production waist harness. It fits snuggly on your back, because of that the harness is rigid, it's not actually bendable since it has to hold the shape of your back. So I find that mine does not pack as well as my old mystic did, which was essentially flat when stored. My wife is very skinny on the other hand so hers is tiny and you can put it anywhere.

Does not really bother me though, the harness is in one word awesome, much better than my mystic and dakine harnesses before that.

[dontfeedthenerd]

Yea.. It doesn't pack well because of that stiff back unfortunately. Probably the only downside to the harness. That and the lead time.

Coleman's got another full time worker now, so lead time is I think around 3 weeks or so. But, totally worth it.

If anybody needs to borrow a hot knife to cut the hole for their spreader bar, let me know, I have one.

[gatorjos]

I am actually considering a sup for the off season it just looks so boring!

It is.

However if it builds up my core then it would be worth it.

It won't.