Advice for a Women Buying a Harness

rascully · Since 17 Dec 2016 2 Posts New Member

I have been kiting for 3 years with a $30 harness and it has come time to upgrade. I want a waist harness, but I am concerned about the harness riding up.

I am a female, is there any actual design difference between men's and women's harnesses? Pink is not a design difference and smaller is not useful to me because I am 6". I would like to know if there is a design difference to accommodate for the differences in shapes between men and women ?

Couple other questions:
How do you size a harness ?
What is the feedback on Dakine harness?
What is a good harness for both water and snow kitting?

Thanks in advance!

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2573 Posts The 503 METAL

I'm not an expert but I don't think there is much you can design into a waist harness to keep it from riding up. I find I get less ride up at the end of the summer, when my beer belly finally burns off. I crank the thing as tight as I can before heading out and try to keep the pull of the kite more perpendicular to my body.

How do you size a harness?

A. When you tighten down all the way with no suit on, it should only be 1/2 to 3/4 as tight as the harness can go. The length of bar plays into it too.

What is the feedback on Dakine harness?

A. Maybe the oldest name in harnesses? Can't go wrong.

What is a good harness for both water and snow kitting?

A. Any water harness will work, but a snow kite specific harness is so nice, especially on skis cause you tend to be more vertical.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2058 Posts PNW Bigfoot

macgruber · Since 06 Dec 2011 490 Posts SE PDX volcano Obsessed

Look at the Dakine Chameleon which is a waist with removeable leg straps/seat. I love mine for boosting and it keeps the hook low. The seat portion is very easy to remove and add. Around $125 with hook

jaksavage · Since 02 Dec 2009 216 Posts hood river Stoked

This is jakavage's wife....just ending my 5th year kiting. Not really kiting until my 3rd year (slow learner).I had a Dakine harness which was not that comfortable. Got an ION seat harness a year ago and LOVE it. Very adjustable, does not ride up, lots of padding. More money, but worth every penny.

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

my wife has a ride engine (custom) harness and it is the first non-seat harness she was able to wear comfortably. It does not ride up for her.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1471 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Bettyboarder · Mon Dec 19, 16 9:29 am

The women's harness are supposed to be cut just a bit different and are a little smaller usually. My hubby and I have shared harness over the years if we forget our own so mens vs womens isn't a huge deal but it was pretty funny to see him wear my pink harness.

I have a Ride Engine and I really love it. It's kind of $$$ but fits me well. I think the best thing to do is go and try on a bunch and just pick the one that fits your body well. I know lots of girls that ride dakine and like them they just didn't feet me well. I used to ride pro limit harness they were great too.

Snowkiting just use same harness. You can buy snow clothes ment to go around harness so you can wear them inside but I just always put them on out side of coat and never had a problem

Joshiebaby · Since 14 Oct 2007 569 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

Yes, Women's harnesses are different from mens. Cut differently. Had a LF harness I bought for my GF that didn't fit her at all and then went and got a Mystic and she loves it.

So yes, make sure you are buying a female harness and I don't think that the brand matters--just go to a local shop and try a bunch out. Kinda kills you if you were looking to go into the market for a used one but this is perhaps the most important part of the setup. Good luck!

kitenomad · Since 09 Aug 2016 10 Posts