which harness?

Originally posted by Matt Jackson I mean they've only caught on in  the mainstream recently.

They used to be the only kind there was. The strange things with straps round your legs that catch on everything are bizarre new-fangled things to me...

Back then the hot harness to have was a Gayle-Heard G-belt. I note with some sadness that the long retired Mr Heard recently passed on.

Edited by JimC

OK, I'm also looking around at harness options - unfortunately not for any specific individual (just whoever I can get to go up front on the day!), so there probably won't be an ideal choice.

However one aspect I was giving thought to - which I'm surprised no-one has mentioned - is the matter of 'back' style: do some have a more rigid construction to the back panels than others? In which case they may be good on a skiff when you're up and out (or at least standing) a lot, but a bit restrictive when bent over stuffing the kite back in the bag?

What's the opinions? Is this also an area to pay attention to when choosing?

Col

Edited by ColH

I just got a Magic Marine Ultimate harness - amazingly supportive compared to my old nappy harness and I don't find it restrictive on the 29er - best harness I have had.

Australian Sailing did a great review of a whole load of harnesses back in June last year - I think you can order back copies of articles on-line - and that gives both great advice and because they had 5 reviewers trying out about 10 harnesses you get a great feel for what was going on - far better than a single-harness test.  If you can't get it on-line PM me your email address and I can scan the article for you when I get back home in about 2 weeks...