ION APEX mens waist harness
The quick disconnect is via a push button which releases the end of the spreader to open up, then just tear away the velcro on the tensioner belt and it's off. A small hook knife is tucked away underneath the spreader bar pad in an easy to access yet unobtrusive position in case of emergency. The design of the harness being so well fitted and snug means it won't rotate or ride up at all. This makes it perfect for most freestyle and freeride applications. For those that want a harness to twist and slide around for wave riding, check out the ION Hummer. Colours are Silver, Black and Red
ION HUMMER mens waist harness
The Hummer has the same sort of spreader and bar pad as the Apex and also shares the same quick release system and emergency line cutter/hook knife.
Colours available are Black, Silver or White.
ION SOL ladies waist harness
The cross link webbing and and internal flex belt afford the rider a great fit whilst the neo allows the movement. A superior spreader bar pad is in place and the whole spreader can be push button disconnected simply and easily. The hook knife is quality and is easily accessed from in front of the spreader pad. Sizes are XS, S, M and L. Colours are Black or White
ION NOVA ladies waist harness
The Spreader bar is quickly disconnected by the push button clip and the lever locl buckles allow easy adjustment. A super comfortable bar pad ensures no point loading from the spreader and also hides the concealed hook knife in a handy but unobtrusive spot. The Nova also comes with a handle pass leash bridle setup. A great harness for the ladies!
Available in Black or white and XS, S, M and L.
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OK, so you aren't the first person not to know which harness is right for you, and surely wont be the last. This is why we have this page for you, it will give you a few of the "ins and outs" and things to look for in a harness.
Before we go any further, if you are miles away and can't come and see us, bear in mind we will gladly exchange or refund any monies (except freight) for product that hasn't been used, without question. Having said that, lets get on with what you need to know.
Waist Harness or Seat Harness or a bit of both?
Harnesses come in three types; Waist harnesses which go strangely enough, around your waist, Seat harnesses which go around your seat (see bum), and Combo harnesses which are a combination of waist harness with a half seat and leg loops.
At AKS, we almost exclusively recommend good waist harnesses, versus the use of seat harnesses. We do this for a couple of reasons. Firstly, seat harnesses create bad riding posture leading to poor riding performance and also bad physical alignment which can lead to soreness. Secondly, a higher hook position makes upwind body dragging much easier and facilitates easier water start and water start position.
Different harnesses have different properties and depending upon what you want them to do, can either work for you or against you.
What you should consider is:
Support:
A harness must support you comfortably and keep your body aligned straight. It should also spread the load of the kite evenly across all contact points against your body. Point loading can abrade skin away or bruise badly to the point where you can't kite any more. This is a bad thing! A nice high backed harness with lumbar support offers best support but if you have a short torso, they can come up under your shoulder blades. A low side panel allows easier twisting and bending as well as more comfort.
Spreader Bar
The spreader Bar is the stainless steel bar that attaches to either side of the harness and also to the hook which the kite connects to. It stops the harness pulling together at a single point where the hook is and crushing your waist. A good spreader shouldn't be too narrow or crushing will result, and shouldn't be too wide as a loose fit will result and make it hard to get tight enough.
Spreader Bar Padding
This one is easy, a spreader bar is pulled upward by the kite because of the spreaders curved shape and geometry of the position of the hook. It [spreader] rotates upward and inward at the top, towards your ribs causing pain and discomfort from concentrated contact area. A thick and well supported spreader bar pad will reduce/eliminate the pressure and spread the load without causing pain or discomfort. A good bar pad coupled with good harness design and hold down straps should eliminate the pain entirely making for a comfortable wear.
On this note, there are some pads that look really cushy, but when you try them on, they are too soft and allow the hook to push through the padding.
Type of Spreader Hook
The hook itself on the spreader bar can be either parallel or "hammerhead". The parallel hook can be less expensive but can accidentally release when riding with your body twisted against the direction of the kite. Hammerheads or narrowed hooks that let the loop sit in a "hollow" which prevents the loop from slipping off. Most modern harnesses use Hammerhead hooks nowadays. We can advice you on hook suitability and also how to rectify hook problems by adding an Ozone "Chicken finger" if you are having issues.
Safety releases and Hook Knife
Safety releases on the sides of handle pass leashes can be a nice feature if you ever need to ditch the kite in the event of an out of control or runaway kite when you have lost control in a crash and cannot reach the bar to release the safety systems. Although this is a very rare occurance, and is usually exclusively the domain of the very advanced rider, but it's nice to have peace of mind. A hook knife is something that should be on all harnesses, especially if you ride surf. Being able to "Cut away" at tangled lines is definately a good idea when in the surf. Although not essential, it's a nice to have.They can be purchased seperately if your fave harness doesn't have tham as standard.
Sliding or fixed spreader bar
Most harnesses these days are fixed spreader bars ie, they attach the ends of the spreader to either side of the harness through various buckles or clips. Fixed harnesses can be great if you freeride or freestyle, but if you like to change the angle of pull from the kite to the angle of the harness quickly and often, then you ideally would like the whole harness to slide around easily. Neoprene inner is good for this. Moulded inners tend to "grip" and not slide so easily. Horses for courses and in general this is a small consideration for beginners.
The other side of the coin is the harnesses that have sliding spreader bars. They have a 2-2.5in tape webbing which connects the sides of the harness and allows a spreader to slide back and forth across it. These can be good, but if the spreader is too short it can create pinching/crushing of the rib cage and also can and generally does, wear out the webbing in the tape and must be replaced a couple of times per season.
Sliding or constrictive harness.
Some harnesses slide easily back and forth (rotate around your body) for ease of aligning with the pull of the kite. This can make riding toeside (switch) or blind easier. It also makes wave riding in and out of the surf easier if you don't change stance (Gybe). Sliding harnesses can slide upwards as well as rotate which can be annoying or even painful for beginners. This won't worry a more experienced rider as they ride with the kite lower and at a greater lean when riding, keeping the pull of the kite at 90 degrees to their body. So even a beginner will enjoy a sliding harness in time.
A Grippy of constrictive style harness grips to your body and resists sliding which helps prevent the harness riding up over your ribs. This also gives you the most "connected" feel to the kite and is probably the most common nowadays.
At the end of the day, the harness MUST be comfortable. It is the piece of gear which transfers all of the kites load to your body. Considering the kite can generate more than three times your body weight in force, it must be comfy otherwise .... it's gonna hurt!
How much should I spend?
The most expensive harness is not necessarily going to be the most comfortable, and the cheapest harness is not necessarily going to be crappy or painful. The determining factor for purchasing one harness over another should always be comfort and fit. You do this by coming in to see us and trying on several harnesses and attaching them to a fixed loop and loading them up whilst feeling for comfort. If you are lucky, the right harness for you won't be expensive, but if it is, be happy you've found the right one and don't compromise for the sake of cost as you'll regret it every time you ride. The cost between the cheapest harness and the most expensive is about $120 which is a small price to pay for comfort during every ride you have over the next few years. If you get out for 120 sessions a year that is only a dollar per sesh, and only 33 cents per ride over three years! Now what was that about scrimping and saving $50? If you're really lucky, the best fitting harness will be moderately priced or could even be a cheapy. A good harness should last you minimum 2-3 years, so choose wisely!
Hopefully this gives you some things to consider when looking at harnesses. If you are unsure at all what would suit you, please feel free to tell us what you are looking for and we will be happy to throw some advice your way and make recommendations based on our experience.
Hope this helps!
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Luna Kite Waist Harness
Maui Magic doesn't make womens items as a sideline to their mens range, it is all they do, designed specifically for women, the ultimate in comfort and purpose! Everything about the construction and materials used in the Luna harness screams quality right down to the beautiful Hook knife powder coated alloy with dual stainless blades. These harnesses are worth every penny and ooze style.
Sizes: XS, S, M, L for the Ladies!
Features:
* Neoprene Edge
* Moulded Foam
* Integrated Anaotomical Back Support
* Battle Belt
* Kite Spreader
* Quick Release
* Spreader Down System
* D-Rings
* Knife
Other Maui Magic products ....
AKS is passionate about supporting women and offering the products you want to make kiting more pleasurable, so if you are interested in other items such as beach apparel, board bags, wetsuits, bikini's etc from Maui Magic, please ask to see our catalogue as we can order in almost anything you want very quickly.
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In 2009, The Pat Love Cast was one of the biggest selling harnesses we stocked and was good value for money. The Harness is thermo moulded both inside and out and tends to "stretch just a litle when you get it wet, so buying one that is just a little on the tight side (without being ridiculous) is the right thing to do.
The Cast is around a medium weight and "solid as". It comes with a safety hook knife which sits in it's own pocket on the back right hand side and is retained by a plastic press stud. The spreader bar pad is excellent and really protects you "big time" from any undue pain inflicted by a rising spreader bar.
The Elastic "kidney belts" as I call them, keep the harness down in position nicely and the harness is easy to get into and out of with the releasable hook on the right side strap. The Cast also comes with a fixed handle pass leash bridle which is great for the price. It is easy to fit most leashes to the HP loop. You can also attach the leash to the "D" rings on the sides of the harness.
Overall a good quality, value for money, comfy harness that looks good and lasts if you take care of it.
PAT LOVE - QUEST
The PL Quest is the 2009 top of the line mens waist harness and is a bit of a step up from the Cast. The Quest has additional soft neoprene edging where your rib cage starts which is lovely and smooth. Same kind of inner and outer thermo mouldings but appears to have some additional padding to the cast.
The Quest also has no handle pass loop but does have an integrated handle that retracts away. The absence of the HP loop is good for me as I like to run my own bridle in any case so the leash travels smoothly from side to side. This wouldn't be a consideration for a novice kiter.
Same kidney belts and spreader setup as well as great bar pad. The Quest also has additional heavy duty "D" rings on each side for tieing leashes and bridles to.
PAT LOVE - TFMK
The new Pat Love "top-of-the-line" mens harness for 2010 is the TFMK (K for kite). This harness is the most comfortable and has the most amount of support whilst allowing full freedom of movement for the freestylers throwing themselves into contortionistic positions.
As well as comfortable, it's fitted as standard with a handle pass leash which has quick release to allow the kite to be dumped in the event of emergency. It also comes with the standard hook knife and has a great spreader bar pad and spreader hook designed to not uncouple accidentally.
For those looking for the best, you've just found it. These harnesses come in a range of colours and will be in limited supply so make sure you get yours early before they sell out.
PAT LOVE - EVE (for the ladies)
The "Eve" harness was the first real modern ladies harness we started selling and was a significantly different harness from the old Flying Objects harness which we have stopped selling due to it's dated design and lack of serious spreader bar pad.
The "Eve" is most closely related to the mens "Quest " harness in terms of looks and styling. The thick inner and outer thermo formed skins are comfy to wear and most of the ladies we have sold to love them, our only bitch is about the length of adjustment strap can be a bit short to make tightening up a bit tricky and usually needing a friends assistance.
Having said that, the Pat Love spreader bar pad is exceptional and super comfy. We've never had a complaint of spreader bar created pains. The harness fits snugly and holds itself down nicely so long as the kidney belts are velcroed up nice and firmly before cinching down the main straps.
The "Eve" comes in White, baby blue or pink and our experience tells us girls either love it or hate it (pink) no in between 
The harness also comes with strong "D" rings to allow a solid handle pass leash if chosen, or at last a great spot to handle the load of suicide tension from kite. There is a handle on the back for an assistant to hold and of course they come with a Hook knife in the little pocket.
PLEASE NOTE:
We recommend that all persons try on first to evaluate first hand, the comfort, fit and to feel if there are any acute contact points which will cause rubbing. Sometimes as little as a neoprene rashie under the harness is all that it takes to alleviate an abrasion issue, sometimes not. Most people have different body shapes and for this reason we do not recommend any particular harness over another. It always should come down to how good it feels when YOU TRY IT ON!
Do not set yourself a budget when buying a harness. You should buy the harness that is most comfortable. Remember that the harness is the conduit through which ALL of the force and pull from the kite is tranfered to your body. During some tricks, the force applied to you can be many times your own body weight, so having a comfortable connection is paramount to your overall enjoyment of the sport.
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The Flight Control has been a favourite harness for kiters since it's first design in '04. The latest '12 model is a further improvement of the original concept coupled with a better look and greater comfort and function.
The standard features offered are large and comfy bar pad, a grab handle to allow assistance during sketchy overpowered launching, a wide style hook for positive connection to the chicken loop and a quick release spreader bar to make getting into and out of this harness so much easier. The back has a key pouch and sides have Neoprene fairings to hide the excessive strap ends and buckles to prevent catching on lines in powered moves.
The outer skin is 3D thermo formed to give good support and a modern appearance. The inner is soft 3mm neoprene for comfort and protection against abrasion for long session.
The design of the FOFC gives good high back support and comfort to riders whilst still maintaining the freedom of movement to allow you to give every trick your "all" unencumbered by bulky or heavy harnesses.
The FOFC comes in 4 sizes : S, M, L, XL and three colours as shown below
Flying Objects "Felix" Waist Harness
The Flying Objects Felix waist harness is for those who want something a bit different and functional too. If you know Felix, then you will understand this harness 
. Felix waist is simple, no compromise freedom of movement so you can attack waves without restriction.
Back support is good with heavily cutaway sides to allow movements and twisting of the torso. The harness comes with a good quality spreader bar pad and harness hook to prevent the ribs being pressured and has heavy duty "D" rings on both sides for the leash attachment.
PLEASE NOTE:
We recommend that all persons try on first to evaluate first hand, the comfort, fit and to feel if there are any acute contact points which will cause rubbing. Sometimes as little as a neoprene rashie under the harness is all that it takes to alleviate an abrasion issue, sometimes not. Most people have different body shapes and for this reason we do not recommend any particular harness over another. It always should come down to how good it feels when YOU TRY IT ON!
Do not set yourself a budget when buying a harness. You should buy the harness that is most comfortable. Remember that the harness is the conduit through which ALL of the force and pull from the kite is tranfered to your body. During some tricks, the force applied to you can be many times your own body weight, so having a comfortable connection is paramount to your overall enjoyment of the sport.
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