Waist Harness Kitesurf

Buy your waist harness online at the Surfoon Kitesurf Shop

Welcome to the questions and answers section about waist harnesses ofSurfoon! Finding a suitable waist harness is essential for your kitesurfing sessions.

With a waist harness that fits perfectly, you'll have much more fun in the water! However, not all waist harnesses are the same.

There is a wide variety of different models from various brands, rigid (hardshell) and flexible (softshell) waist harnesses, as well as harnesses specially designed for men or women. To give you a better overview, we have compiled the most frequently asked questions about waist harnesses. You can find the Q&A section at the bottom of this page, but feel free to contact us anytime if you need further assistance or advice.

Our friendly and knowledgeable customer service is available for you seven days a week! Our team consists of experts who speak English, Dutch, and German, and they will be happy to assist you.

What should I look for when I want to buy a waist harness?

A waist harness must be the correct size and have the appropriate level of stiffness to fit perfectly and provide the necessary support. You can check the recommended size in the size chart for each harness alongside the product description in our online store. Whether you should choose a flexible (softshell) or rigid (hardshell) harness depends on your skills and preferences. If you're not sure, contact us for advice!

Should I use a waist harness?

If you are already an advanced kitesurfer, a waist harness is excellent because it offers you more freedom of movement. As a beginner kitesurfer or if you have back problems, a seat harness can be an advantage.

¿Cuál es el mejor arnés de cintura para un principiante?

There is no such thing as a "beginner's waist harness." The important thing is that the waist harness fits you well, so it doesn't move up or down too much and doesn't cause discomfort.

Some brands offer a hybrid harness that can be used both as a seat harness and a waist harness, thanks to the detachable leg straps. This gives you the option to try what works best for you at each learning stage. In general, you should start with a flexible harness (softshell), which is more comfortable, and then switch to a rigid harness (hardshell) if you prefer.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a waist harness compared to a seat harness?

Advantages of a waist harness compared to a seat harness:

• Greater freedom of movement.
• The kite's force is transmitted to a higher point, facilitating an upright posture when kitesurfing.
• Does not leave marks or chafing on the legs.

Desventajas de un arnés de cintura comparado con un arnés de asiento:

• It can slide up and down if the wrong size is chosen.
• The hook is positioned higher than on a seat harness, which means that people with shorter arms have less chance to depower.

¿What are the differences between waist harnesses?

The waist harnesses can differ in shape, as they can be wider or narrower at the back. There are waist harnesses specially designed to fit the body shape of men or women. Additionally, they can vary in terms of rigidity or flexibility. For some years now, waist harnesses have been distinguished by soft back panels (softshell) and hard back panels (hardshell).

There are also differences in the thickness of the padding and in the way the waist harness is closed, that is, how the respective spreader bar is designed.

Should I choose a hardshell or softshell waist harness?

There is no general recommendation on whether you should use a rigid waist harness (hardshell) or a flexible one (softshell). A rigid harness (hardshell) has a rigid backplate, which makes it less deformable.

This has the advantage that the kite's pulling force is distributed across the entire back and, if fitted perfectly, feels firmer. On the other hand, a flexible harness (softshell), which is softer and more moldable, fits the shape of your body better. However, this means that the kite's pulling force can be more concentrated on a specific point of the back. Some kitesurfers find that a rigid harness (hardshell) is more comfortable for the back, especially if they already have back problems, while others prefer a flexible harness (softshell) due to its more adaptable fit.