Kitesurfing Mens Harnesses Reviews
ION Products Apex Curv 13
The ION Apex Curv 13 is a top of the line hard shell harness from the popular accessories brand; they grade all their harnesses with a stiffness rating, were at 13 here. Their scale goes from 20 at the top end for the ultra-stiff Riot CS down to a rating of 4 for their Axis Kite harness. The backplate is…
Manera Exo 2.0
The original Manera EXO was a harness that truly changed the way we thought about harness design. It was the first harness to use an exterior load dispersal shell, at the time Manera worked with a university science team to measure the pressure points on various harness. They came up with the idea of the exterior load frame and using…
Mystic Stealth
The new Mystic Stealth harness hit the market a couple of months ago to some fanfare; it followed hot on the heals of the excellent Stealth spreader bar system that they released a little while back. If you’ve experienced the Stealth spreader bar, you will have some idea of how this harness has been designed. The Stealth bar was a…
Mystic Majestic
The Mystic Majestic harness is a hardshell offering that offers a touch less rigidity than the hugely popular Majestic X. It uses the same Bionic Core Frame shape and design, but features Roving glass fibre rather than carbon, allowing just a little more flex into the frame. The idea is that it offers more freedom of movement and is the…
ION Products Apex CURV 10
The ION Apex CURV is the top end waist harness in the CURV range; this line up utilises a new moulded composite structure that promises to be lighter while still being incredibly supportive. The back of the harness shows the distinctive 3D plus spine shaping, and the range features a slightly higher outline than some of the other models for…
Prolimit VEX
The VEX is a low-profile 3D molded waist harness. It is pre-curved and has an internal load frame. It comes with multiple leash attachment points, uses four straps for tightening and comes with the Fat Bar (a wide bar mounted on a super wide pad). The spreader bar is a pin release and is super easy to clip in and…
Manera Union
While most of the harness brands are making super high-end products with the new rigid harnesses, Manera have bucked the trend somewhat. The excellent EXO arguably led the charge for a more supportive harness many years ago, and it does a fantastic job. New for 2018 Manera have launched the Union, priced lower than the EXO it aims to make…
ION Products CS Wave
ION have a new range of rigid harnesses that came onto the market at the end of last year. Dubbed CS, which stands for Composite Series, the range features a freeride model, the wave version we have here and also a Hadlow model. There are no prizes for guessing what the Hadlow version is for! The idea is each harness…
Mystic Majestic X
The Majestic X is a new high-end harness from arguably the biggest accessories brand in our sport. Packed with new technology and plenty of features it should be on your radar if you’re looking for a new rigid style harness. First up a word about rigidity championed years ago it is now filtering through to more and more brands. Mystic…
Prolimit Vapor
Tried and Tested The Vapor is a semi-rigid harness from Prolimit, it uses an internal load plate, which is very stiff vertically but has quite a bit of flex horizontally. The harness can be used with either their Universal Rope Bar or the Fat Bar traditional hook set up. It’s always great to see choices like this with a harness…
Ride Engine Elite Carbon
Ride Engine changed the game years ago with their Carbon Moulded custom harness designs. Order one and they would send you a mould kit, which you would then return to get a perfect fit. Needless to say, it was a long winded process, and limited man hours meant only a handful of people got to feel the benefits. Fast forward…
Manera Exo
The harness that changed them all is back for another outing featuring some new materials and features. The core of the harness is the Energy Dispersion Frame, this single unit takes the load from the spreader bar and spreads it evenly across the whole of the harness area. Manera worked with scientists at a university to develop this technology, and…
Manera Eclipse
The Eclipse is a totally new harness from Manera, the company that changed the game of harness technology as we knew it years ago with the EXO. With the rise in rigid harnesses, many riders have been eagerly awaiting Manera’s entry into this sector. After spending years in development, the Eclipse is now available. Having tried lots of fully rigid…
Dakine C-1 Maniac
Dakine have been pumping high-end sporting goods into the extreme sport market for many years now. In kiteboarding they are well known for their Pyro harness, Wahine ladies harness and tons of accessories; board bags, foot straps, clothing. Harnesses from Dakine have undergone many years of research and development and this is visible in their products. When you get your…
Brunotti SmartShell
Brunotti recently revamped their entire range under the RDP banner; the Rider Developed Product line sought to enhance their products by working closely with some of the best riders in the world. With riders like Youri Zoon, Liam Whaley and Annelous Lammerts on board to name just a few, it’s fair to say they have some big hitters working on…
Ride Engine Silver Elite Harness
Ride Engine burst onto the commercial scene last year with their entirely different take on what a kitesurfing harness should be. After years of making custom harnesses for hundreds and, hundreds of riders Coleman Buckley and Slingshot joined forces to bring these new rigid harnesses to the market and the masses. Last year was a big year fro Ride Engine,…
Ride Engine Carbon Katana Elite
If you’ve not heard of Ride Engine yet then there is a good chance you are living on some remote island and won’t even be reading this. The brainchild of constant tinkerer Coleman Buckley, the origins of the Ride Engine concept can be traced back to 2010. Originally Coleman started making harnesses for his buddies, then a few custom ones…
Manera EXO
The EXO harness from Manera burst onto the scene two years ago; it radically changed the way harnesses were made, utilising an exoskeleton to put the frame of the harness on the outside and all the padding on the inside. Manera also worked with a human kinetics science laboratory to test their products to ensure they could make the most…
Dakine Pyro Leverlock
Dakine is a huge brand not only in kitesurfing, but in many extreme sports. It has been a huge accessory supplier for kitesurfers worldwide since the sport began. Dakine has always been known for its top quality, supportive and incredibly comfortable harnesses, both for kitesurfing and its roots in windsurfing harnesses. This issue we got our hands on the new…
ION Products Apex Select
ION has been a very strong contender for harnesses, wetsuits, board bags, apparel and much more within the kitesurfing industry for a number of years now. Building well-made and comfortable harnesses in a variety of styles. This issue we got hold of the Apex Select harness in blue and yellow. ION have put a lot of effort and a great…
Manera Senso
When Manera launched the Exo harness last year they caused quite a stir. It was the first time really detailed load analysis had been performed on a harness and it ended up with the R&D team developing the external load bearing area the Exo became famous for. The idea is simple; spread the maximum amount of load across as wide…
Mystic Majestic
The Majestic harness from Mystic is a multi-use harness, meaning it can be used for both windsurfing and kitesurfing. The perfect tool for the waterman out there that likes to dabble in both arts! It sits right at the top of the Mystic range and is a high end product with a good amount of detailing. It is built with…
Prolimit Predator
The Predator harness from Prolimit has been in their line up for a few years now, the design is tried and tested, but it features some great technical features too, as well as boasting great looks! The Predator is pre-curved and 3D shaped for a great fit and features a four point connected neoprene belt to keep the harness in…
Manera Exo
Manera have been on the scene for a couple of years now with their accessories, but this is the first harness they have produced. Up until now the range has been limited to bags and luggage for the discerning kiter. However, this year they are launching the EXO Harness, and some other very useful products such as Bamboo Ponchos, Key…
Dakine Sliding Spreader Bar
This spreader bar is an upgrade for your existing Dakine harness, but it is worth mentioning it should fit on most harnesses. You will need to double check though as some have different release mechanisms. The premise is simple enough, a sliding hook allows greater freedom of movement for wave riding. Lots of the top pro’s are using sliding spreader…
Mystic 2Face
Now for something completely different! The new 2face Wave Harness from Mystic is somewhat of a revelation. For a while now some of the world’s top wave riders have been modifying their harnesses to allow the hooks to move. A sliding hook allows you to move your body more on the wave. Mystic have gone one step further though. Realising…
Dakine Pyro
The Dakine Pyro has a long history in kitesurfing, it is the longest running harness in the sport and the flagship of the Dakine range. It features 3d Thermoform shaping for maximum comfort, the Power Clip Lock buckle system, integrated spreader bar pad, double sided pockets and a 6 point hook tension system. Putting on a Pyro is a little…
ION Products Apex
The Apex from ION is one of their top-level waist harnesses, aimed at the rider looking for the maximum support and minimal twist. There is a gold edition that utilises memory foam to increase the potential for a perfect fit. Other than that the standard Apex is the same. It’s a good-looking harness with a 3D moulded interior with dual…
ION Products Vertex
The Vertex from ION is a feature rich harness aimed at the rider looking for a good all round harness that provides good support with good flexibility. It features the new X_Spine construction from ION to improve support, soft edges to prevent rashes and an internal Velcro belt to keep it tight. The spreader bar is incorporated into the spreader…
Liquid Force Kites Profile
A harness is an integral bit of kitesurfing kit, but it needn’t be something you spend a fortune on if you are on a budget. Liquid Force designed the Profile to be comfortable, simple and most of all well priced. The Profile features an elasticated powerbelt with Velcro fastening, the actual harness is well padded too and very comfortable to…
Mystic Warrior
The Mystic Warrior harness has been around for a while now, this generation III model incorporates all of their harness know-how. Packed with top end features it is sure to be a popular choice. Soft edges so you can wear it with boardies, 3D Thermo moulded interior and exterior for comfort and shape and a neoprene cover to ensure the…
North Kiteboarding Airstyler Pop
The Airstyler has been around for a few years now, this innovative harness from North utilises a bladder in the back of the harness filled with air to maximise the fit. Other features include a fully integrated spreader bar pad, shorter hook for a more reactive feel and moulded “flexzone” areas for added comfort. For best results you should put…
Prolimit Kitewaist Pro
The Kitewaist Pro from Prolimit is their top end waist harness for riders looking for the ultimate in features and comfort. It features 3D Shaping to ensure a comfortable fit, anti rash edging so you can wear it with boardies, an integrated slide in bar pad, plus a very clever QR leash system. Putting the harness on is very simple;…
Nuke Athom
Nuke is a new brand from Italy. The Athom comes packed with Italian styling, and also a marked note of simplicity. The harness is very light, and the faux leather and logo detailing make it look the part. The spreader hook has a rather clever metal clip to stop your chicken loop falling out. A wide V buckle allows single…