Harnesses are essential for kitesurfers because they keep you anchored into your kite and make it easier to control. When it comes to choosing new gear, you’ll need one of the best kitesurf harnesses to keep you safe. With a top rated kitesurfing harness riders should have excellent balance and control over their kitesurfing setup, so they can quickly learn new skills and tricks.
All kitesurfers need a reliable harness to strap into their kite. When it comes to your kitesurfing gear, comfort and control are essential. You’ll need one of the best kitesurf harnesses to keep you safe. A top rated kitesurfing harness should have good mobility both in or out of the water, so you can keep your balance and maintain control. With the perfect harness, you’ll be guaranteed to have a great time out in the water.
OUR TOP PICK
Mystic Watersports Women’s Jalou Langeree
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Viscoelastic foam molds to your body
- Front mounted quick release system is easier to use
- Easy-to-use and secure battle belt waist closure
- Padded for comfort
Product Dimensions: 11.81 x 11.81 x 11. 81
Materials: Viscoelastic foam, neoprene, EVA
Waist Closure: Battle belt
Design: Women’s
Sizes: Small or Medium
Color: Red
EDITORS CHOICE
Ion Riot 9 Men’s
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Curv shell for medium flexibility
- Hyper foam provides rigid support
- Silicone lining for grip
- C-bar included with purchase
Materials: Hyper foam, stainless steel, silicone
Waist Closure: Velcro
Design: Men’s
Size: X-Large
Colors: Dark Blue, Black, or Olive
BEST VALUE
Ocean Rodeo Session 3
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Adjustable and extra comfortable for all kitesurfers
- Molded PVC lining for better support
- Adjustable fit allows you to customize your comfort
- Sleek design has hidden buckles to prevent snagging on your kite lines
Product Dimensions: 15 x 10 x 5 inches
Materials: PVC, Velcro
Waist Closure: Velcro
Design: Unisex
Sizes: X-Small or X-Large
Colors: White or Black
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Adaptive shell balances hard and soft to give you the best lumbar support
- Gel foam added extra cushioning for comfort
- Neoprene material is durable and long lasting
- Down hold system and tuck flaps keep you balanced
Material: Neoprene
Waist Closure: Velcro
Design: Unisex
Sizes: X-Small to X-Large
Color: Amber
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Unique shell is designed to stay in place and it conforms to the shape of your waist
- Tight weave has better torsional flex
- Memory foam padding is more comfortable
- Low profile design is better for all-day adventures
Product Dimensions: 15.75 x 11.81 x 11.81
Materials: Memory foam, Elite Carbon
Waist Closure: Velcro
Design: Unisex
Sizes: X-Small to Large
Color: Blue
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Ideal for experienced and professional riders
- Toughest and longest lasting design on the market
- Stiff shell won’t squeeze your waist or cause discomfort
- Lumbar Lock keeps the harness in place and prevents twisting or turning
Product Dimensions: 11.81 x 11.81 x 7.87 inches
Materials: Elite Carbon, Kevlar
Waist Closure: Velcro
Design: Unisex
Sizes: Small or Large
Color: Infrared
How To Choose A Kitesurf Harness — Buying Guide
Fixed vs. Sliding
All of the best kitesurfing harnesses need a bar, which is used to connect your harness to the kite. However, not all harnesses have the same design. Some bars are fixed or sliding. A fixed bar means that the line of your kite is attached to one point on the harness and it cannot move. A sliding bar means that the line of your kite can move along the length of your bar by attaching to a special hook that slides back and forth.
For beginner kitesurfers, a fixed bar is the easiest design to learn with because you can easily practice attaching and detaching your kite. However, most experienced kitesurfers prefer a sliding bar because it prevents the pull of the kite from squeezing your waist. Riders will ultimately have to choose the design that best suits their needs and preferences.
No matter which bar you choose, it is important that your are comfortable with attaching and detaching your kite. In case of emergency out on the water, you need to be able to quickly attach yourself from your kite should you encounter winds or waves that are too high.
Style
The best kitesurf harness will also be available in a few different styles. The three most popular styles are seated, waist, and board shorts. Each design is suited to a specific type of kitesurfers.
A kiteboard seat harness will fit a rider like a diaper and provides you with a seat to sit in. The larger size of the harnesses makes them bulky and heavy, but great for beginners because of their increased stability. With a lower center of gravity and full coverage, beginners will also feel more comfortable and supported with a kiteboard seat harness.
Kitesurfers who are more advanced and can perform aerial tricks will be more comfortable in a Kitesurf waist harness. These are the best kitesurfing harnesses for advanced riders because they provide better freedom of movement and flexibility. With a high back and stiff shell, a waist harness can still provide plenty of support.
Finally, some riders prefer to use a special pair of board shorts that have a hook system to attach to your kite. This is the most minimalistic type of harness available and some kitesurfers prefer this design because they are the most comfortable for swimming in the water. However, the lack of support makes this design less popular amongst kitesurfers.
You might also like: Perfect Kiteboarding Kites
Function
The best kitesurf harness should always be functional. It would be a waste of money to invest in a design that didn’t work properly. When you are looking at a new harness, you should review the design to ensure that it will fit snuggly around your waist without being too constrictive.
Your comfort is also important and the best designs will feature thick padding or foam to ensure the harness has good support. In addition, quality is essential and you should look at kitesurf harness reviews to determine whether a design is well-made or poorly crafted.
Function will also heavily rely on the type of harness that you use. As we reviewed, beginner kitesurfers often do better with a seated harness. More advanced kitesurfers are comfortable in a waist harness and a few people choose to use the special board shorts. Functionality is important for all riders and you shouldn’t choose a harness that you don’t feel comfortable using because it will make learning how to kitesurf more difficult.
FAQs
Q: How Do I Choose A Kitesurfing Harness?
Comfort, support, and safety are the most important aspects of a kitesurfing harness. When you are looking for a new harness, you should pay particular attention to how the harness is built and what features it includes to keep you safe. You should also be mindful of the type of harness you are buying to ensure that it will match your kitesurfing skill level. Kitesurf Harness reviews can help you find a quality product that suits your needs.
Q: What Equipment Do You Need For Kitesurfing?
The most basic pieces of equipment that all kitesurfers need are a kite, board, harness, control bar, and helmet. Kitesurfing equipment is pricey and new kitesurfers may feel more comfortable enrolling kitesurfing lessons or renting equipment to see if they even enjoy the sport. Once you’ve tested the waters, you can decide whether or not you want to invest in all the required equipment.
For the most part, used kitesurfing harness and boards are safe to use. However, it is not recommended that you purchase a used kite. This is because it can be difficult to determine the quality of the lines and poor kite lines are a safety hazard.
Globo Surf Overview
When it comes to your comfort and safety out on the water, having one of the best kitesurf harnesses wrapped around your waist can elevate your performance and ensure that you ride safely on the waves. With one of the top rated kitesurfing harnesses from our list, you’re guaranteed to have a great time with these high quality options, so you can become a pro at kitesurfing.