Kite Harnesses
for Kiteboarding, Snow-kiting, Kite-Landboarding,
or your Trainer
Kite.
Kite Harness and How they work.
A harness is used to transfer the pull of the kite to your body to take most of the
load off of your arms.
The harness functions using 3 Parts.
1. The "Harness" Seat or Waist style. Heavy Duty padded Nylon with straps.
2. The "Hook" Attached to the front of the Harness.
3. The "Loop". Depending on the kite design, can be a "harness-Line" or "Chicken-Loop"
Trainer Kites and other Standard Foil kites ( Example: Rush Pro, Hydra, Scout )
Use a Harness-line ( also know as a Fixed Loop ).
Inflatable Kites ( Kahoona ), and Sheetable Foils ( Apex, Montana, Matrixx ) use
a Chicken-Loop ( also called a Trim-Loop ).
Image Above: Waist-Harness with Harness-Hook
( Diogo Dantas learning to use a harness
in Natal, Brazil. Praia de Ponta Negra )
Harness-Hook ( The one above is mde by Dakine. Model: Hammerhead )
Notice that the Hook is open and similar to the shape of the hook on a coat-Hanger.
harness hooks are also know as "Spreader Bar" becuase the wide base of the hook
spreads-out the pulling force across your low back / and or butt.
Older windsurfing Harness Hook were made from Aluminum.
When kiting, we Only use hooks made from "Stainless Steel"
HQ Quick-Release Harness-LINE
The Harness-line shown above is the "U" shaped
white loop. Near the upper-right
end of the white
loop, you can see a very small red ball which is
an emergency "Quick-Release" used to open the loop.
The red ball and black line is the hanging from the center
is the "3rd Line Kite Safety Leash System".
"Hooked-in" is the term used when the loop is connected
to the hook.
A moment after this photo was shot, the instructor
said " Now, let's "Un-hook". while continuing to watch the kite."
As a begiinner, you will iniitially need to watch the kite,
and only briefly Glance at the Hook.
First: Master the basic kiting skills withOUT using the harness. Only the kite.
Next, practice hooking in for just a second, and then un-hooking.
Hook-in > Un-hook,
Hook-in > Un-hook.
Harness Types
There are 2 Basic Types / Designs / Styles: Waist Harnesses and Seat Harnesses.
| Seat Harness: HQ Powerkites DE | Waist Harness: Dakine Chameleon |
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| HQ Size Chart ( They run a bit large ) S-XXL | Dakine Size Chart XS-XL |
| Inches S 30-32 M 32-34 L 34-36 XL 36-38 XXL 38-42+ |
Inches XS 28-30 S 30-32 M 32-34 L 34-36 XL 36-38 |
| List Price: $137.. | List Price: $139. |
HQ harnesses tend to run a bit larger than their stated sizes.
XXL 38"-42" (would likely fit 40"-44")
Seat Harness
Sit lower on your body
They stay in position due to their leg straps.
Generally offer better low-back support
Popular with snow-kiters
Waist Harness
No leg straps which allows for more comfort and freedom of movement,
but also allows for the harness to "ride-up" ( slide up ) out of position,
off your waist, up to your ribs.
Which is better?
Neither one. It's simply a matter of preference. Snow-kiters "tend" to prefer the seat design.
Wave-riders generally prefer the waist harness..
Pricing:
When shopping online: Read carefully! Some advertised Harnesses include the
needed Hook / Spreader Bar, and some are priced separately.
Our pricing always includes the hook.
If you are planning to buy a harness along with a kite, please ask us for YOUR price.
When to buy a Harness:
It's OK to purchase a harness at the same time you buy a kite,
IF... you can discipline yourself to
mater the kite basics before attempting to
use the harness. 1 step at a time! : ))
Questions??
Just ask! That's why we're here! : )
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