Ok. So as my mind spins into the never ending depths of power kiting, which harness??? I don't know where to start with my research. I fly static and buggy FB only at this time. More and more I am looking into the ATB and snow boarding. I'm 6'2" 210 lbs. What would be a good harness to look into for depower with the ATB and snowboard and maybe some buggy? I know you guys have been there-done that, and want to avoid the buy and resale till I find the right one.

Harnesses are a real personal choice.

You will need to choose between a waist or seat harness.

Waist harness is most popular with surf style. The rest of us tend to like seat harness. We spend a lot more time with the kite high and so I found my waist harness crept up all the time . It was comfortable though.

Within seat harness choices you can get a very basic one similar to a climbing harness . They are nice for backcountry and such + cheap. Something with a bit more support is probably best. Some can bee a bit bulky for sitting in the buggy.

I have the Mystic seat + waist harness. Bought it because I wasn't certain I wanted to go with a seat harness but that is how I like using it now. It did not come with a spreader bar pad and used to dig into my ribs but a Dakine spreader pad makes for a very comfortable setup now !

I use a PL Divine for the buggy. VERY comfy, and not bulky at all as some seat harnesses can be. The thing I like most about this one is that it is not, and please pardon the expression, a nut cruncher.

As far as ATB and water, I have a Dakine Fusion that works quite well. Easy on the jewels, and offers great lower back support.

The Dakine I picked up second hand but was still new with tags and quite reasonably priced. $75 with spreader if I recall. The PL was purchased new and though a little more than the Dakine, its the only way to fly in a buggy imho.

Some may disagree, just my personal opinion.

Hope it helps

Sometimes I chime in without reading all the others' posts, but this time I did....These are the exact two harnesses I have..Fusion I purchased used but was new..(1st one) used it for skiing and buggy...as said nut cruncher sometimes...Just picked up the Divine and wow what a difference...This will be my buggy only harness...Flyguy0101 has one for buggy and for ATB and loves it.
However this is like one of those how do you pack your kite questions..You may be purchasing a couple to find the right one for you..(as said it's a personal thing)...The divine I can use for everything if you are just getting one for now.

Quote: Originally posted by mougl

I use a PL Divine for the buggy. VERY comfy, and not bulky at all as some seat harnesses can be. The thing I like most about this one is that it is not, and please pardon the expression, a nut cruncher. As far as ATB and water, I have a Dakine Fusion that works quite well. Easy on the jewels, and offers great lower back support. The Dakine I picked up second hand but was still new with tags and quite reasonably priced. $75 with spreader if I recall. The PL was purchased new and though a little more than the Dakine, its the only way to fly in a buggy imho. Some may disagree, just my personal opinion. Hope it helps

Yes guys. I'm looking into a do it all type harness

Love my divine in the buggy and the boarding. Even used on the water once.

A 'SEAT' harness is a general term meaning a harness with leg loops whose waist area also extends material/padding down around the butt, below where a WAIST harness stops.

It is a bit of a misnomer as a seat harness does not mean a sitting harness. If you use a seat harness designed for standing to sit in buggy...... it may be more than just 'nut crunching' uncomfortable...in probability.
They just don't bend well and can fight your body w/pressure....like against front waist/ lowest ribs also.

If only one harness is used for both sitting and standing, it SHOULD be one designed for sitting.

As I don't kite surf...I don't know if a more super padded and stiffer seat harness like a Dakine Fusion may be a little better for that discipline of kiting- with the increased pressures and friction to overcome from being pulled on water...and say if you're getting huge jumps in, and are suspended in the air more. A thought only both a kitesurfer and land kiter on here might answer.

I currently own a seat harness made by Eolo/Radsails, and they claim it is mainly used for buggying. I am wondering if it can be used for surfing as well since alot more pull and wetness are involved? I am already using it for landboarding and it works well so far.

I believe I am using the one shown here:
http://radsails.com/en/accesories/product/rad-harness.html

Dakine Vega for me on the ATB...I'm same size you are...
No wedgies...comfy...quick in and out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI7oB8lEbic

More time for SPEED!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzEf8RrGJ_A&list=TLylQ3gr...

I use a Mystic Waist/seat harness - ie a waist harness with leg loops. I use the loops for kitesurfing because it helped train me to let the pull of the kite come through my hips. I may stop doing this though because my stance is becoming automatic now.

For land and snowboarding I dont use the leg loops because I like the tow/balance point to sit higher.

I think this is probably the best type of harness to start with because you have the 2 options.

The best harness i have worn is the Dakine Renegade - when my Mystic needs replacing thats what I will buy.

Wow. Lots of options to think about.
Thanks for the thoughts so far guys

I too have the Mystic Blazer seat harness with the leg loops.
I'm too skinny for a waist harness and I wanted a versatile harness that would work well for snow or buggy. I'm planning to sell my GI MTB but that's because with age comes wisdom- or at least that's what I'm hoping! My point being when I got the Mystic Blazer it could do all three disciplines comfortably, but then again I'm used to leg loops from my climbing harness and I don't have to worry about getting anything crunched down there.

+1 for the Dakine Vega. I have the xl which is meant for 38 inch or smaller waist, but fits my 40 inches comfortably no "nut smashing." I really enjoy the "power clip" system for connection/disconnection of the spreader bar. Allows you to drop your spreader to the side giving you more freedom of movement/comfortably( when messing with lines, taking a break, grabbing a drink, etc.), without having to remove your harness. Also, no more adjusting of webbing straps .... just clip, snap, go!

+1 on the PL Divine... I'm new to harnesses, but my 1st is the PL Divine and I like it a lot... PTW wrote a GREAT review of it on his site.

Thanks guys n gals! Lots of good leads. Trying to get my 1st depower maybe into the works. I think I'm gonna look into the Divine. Oh how I do hate the "smash factor" my climbing harness gives. Must be nice to not have to worry about that Annie

I can +1 the Divine as well. Great harness, but since it is made to sit in a buggy first and foremost, it has no leash connection on the back. It is really comfortable, though. The legs straps can sometimes slide down your leg, rather than up it, which can be annoying if you are often standing up on a ATB or static survival kiting, but absolutely no smashing.