Harness Question for the Female Riders

forrest · Since 21 Jun 2005 4330 Posts Hood River Hick **CGKA Member**

My wife is wondering about a waist harness. She has the Dakine Starlet shorts and wants to move away from a seat harness.

We both love Dakine and we're trying to decide between the Tabu and the Wahine. It always seems the woman specific gear in most sports we do (Snowboarding, Kiting) is just made to fall apart sooner and there is no real female advantage to female gear.

Question is do you know of any real reason to not go with the Tabu over the Wahine for her?

kristina · Since 14 Mar 2007 27 Posts The Hood

I have a Dakine Siren (women's harness) that I love. The women's harnesses are narrower, seem to fit a little better with our body types. I haven't noticed any performance/construction issues with mine--I have the same opinion of most "women's specific" gear.

laura · Since 22 May 2007 111 Posts Stoked

Hey Forrest, I feel the same way, i have been riding with the womens Dakine harnesses for many years and love the way they fit and hold up. They are cut for us and have the same bomber construction, hope this helps! LM.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

what about dudes with a girlly figure?

G-dog · Since 04 Jan 2007 61 Posts Portland

I just bought the seat version of the Wahine and don't like it (yet) because the back is too high. When I borrowed Mary's old version (the Tempest?) it worked great and was very comfortable. This new version though hurts my back. I've tried on the Tabu too and it doesn't come up as high so probably would have worked better (but didn't buy it because I was worried about the riding-up-factor of the belt harness). Have your wife try on a bunch - and if there's anything pinching at the store don't buy it!

curiousgorge · Since 10 May 2007 2 Posts New Member

What size are the Starlets? Interested in selling? My girlfriend is just getting started.

forrest · Tue May 22, 07 2:46 pm

Size 10 and yea, I'll be selling them when we get the new harness.

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

dakine is all right, but the north harness is sweet i dont have one, but i had the chance to use it and its awesome.. no seat harnesses they suck!

Mark · Thu May 31, 07 7:40 am **looking for a small seat harness**

Does anyone have a small seat harness they want to get rid of?
Pm me
Mark

mystrygrl · Since 07 Sep 2006 95 Posts PDX/HR - What day is it?

I have the Siren too... couple of years old now... holding up well, although the straps have stretched a bit and I really have to crank down on it anymore to tighten it up. But the fit is really alot better than the men's harnesses -- and gotta love the girl-friendly colors! Smile

Moved away from the seat harness I used when I first learned b/c the leg straps really started bothering me.

tonia · Since 15 Jun 2005 209 Posts The Gorge Stoked

Hey Forrest, I have been riding with the Wahine harness for 4 years now and it is awesome. Dakine's waist harnesses for women have come a long ways -- some years ago the shape and fit wasn't there yet... it would ride up a little into the chest and I would always have to re-adjust it. I hear from a lot of women that this is the number one concern. However, Dakine has improved the shape and strap system so much on the Wahine, that it never rides up and in fact, stays low and snug. The Wahine has evolved quite a bit. The straps are easy to adjust and it's easy to take on and off.

Regarding waist versus seat harness (or shorts harness), here's my 2 cents: I truly believe that learning and progressing with a waist harness allows for MUCH better form and quicker progression of freestyle maneuvers. The waist harness allows for the core (abs) to take in pull from the kite, at a higher center of gravity, rather than in the lower back and legs, where the seat harness takes it. And the waist harness doesn't allow for "lazy butt" syndrome while riding. Smile

J.P. · Since 10 Mar 2005 638 Posts Addicted

Bettyboarder · Thu May 31, 07 9:08 am

Forrest - glad you started this tread. I have been thinking about switching to a waist harness for a while, might have to pick on up this weekend and give it a try

forrest · Thu May 31, 07 9:23 am

Katie's Wahine Harness just came in yesterday and we're going to give it a try today. We'll let you know how it goes.

I switched to a waist harness pretty early on. I thought about going back to a seat harness but this was only because the waist harness would end up around my man titties. Solved this problem after several weeks of doing push-ups and pull-ups to get my chest circumference larger than my waist. I spend my days in front of my computer expanding my waist circumference otherwise...

marina c · Thu May 31, 07 10:03 am

I would recommend she try someone's waist harness before going over to it. Totally agree with Tonia re: waist providing more freedom BUT I have slight Scoliosis in my back on top of a bad back from a car accident. I have tried waist harnesses and they all have hurt my back so much to the point that I am bent over in pain after a session, sometimes lasting a few days long.....

G-dog · Since 04 Jan 2007 61 Posts Portland

Does anyone have a small seat harness they want to get rid of?
Pm me
Mark

I'll sell you my newish seat harness if you really want it - it doesn't work for me, but it might fit someone else better I suppose. It's a small.
G.

forrest · Thu May 31, 07 10:00 pm

Katie digs the new Wahine waist harness, but says her abs suffered a little. She had a killer day out there, hauling ass out towards the channel and back. Definitely not the same timid kiter I've seen in the past.