Hello,
I've been searching the net for a discussion about this but haven't found one so thought I'd start one here.
For the last 4 years or so I've been using an ION Vertex waist harness for surfing with a kite, which is all I do (including strapless jumps). This is a soft harness without any internal pads.
My back is not the best, I have a dehydrated disk between L4 and L5 but I've managed to control and minimize the pain via stretching and others. However, naturally, I want to try to take the best care of my back. And that's why about 8 years ago I tried a hard shell (supposedly they are better for your back), the Dakine C1 I think it was. I did not like it at all as I felt very constrained in my movements and had some back pain after sessions. I tried other hard shells now and again to see if I liked them but I was always left with the impression that their lack of any kind of lateral movement or give is very restrictive, especially for surfing. I have always used rope spreader bars but noticed I also rely on the harness rotating or twisting on my waist to some extent for freer movement.
Now I find myself on the market for a new harness and am again faced with the dilemma of giving the hard shells or hybrids a try, especially since the brands seem to be pushing them so much in terms of back health and many wave team riders also seem to be using them. However, I'm still not convinced as they still seem very restrictive, first of all due to the hard shell of course (it still seems the increased range of movement required for surfing will cause it to push into my ribs) and, second, because of all the pads they have on the inside (which, because they are so sticky and restrict movement, tend to twist the back). Furthermore, I don't completely trust companies pushing the hard shells vs the soft shells, especially since they are hundreds of dollars more expensive...
I have been pretty happy with my soft harness as I've found that it allows more freedom and has more give, both in terms of lateral and circular movement around the waist. It just seems that the softness itself is a good quality to have for the movement requirements of wave riding instead of a bad one. Granted, the up and down travel might be more than a hard shell but I think that isn't as important in the waves as the lateral freedom.
So I wanted to ask for your help. What do you think about my rationale for a soft harness for waveriding vs. a hard shell? Does it make any sense to you and have you experienced something similar? Or have you found that the newer hard shells are better for surfing anyway? Has anyone found the perfect waist harness for surfing with a kite? I've been checking the Manera Halo, Mystic Majestic, Warrior and Star, and Ion Riot Curv and Rival. Any recommendations on these or others?
Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!
Cheers!
Hard to say. Buying a harness is a very personal thing. What works for one might not work for someone else.
Best to try them in real life if you can.
Having back issues and soft shell harnesses isn't the best combination.
You might have to look into seat harnesses, allthough, I'm not sure how much freedom of move they can give you.
One other harness that might be worth looking into is the Ride Engine Momentum. It's a softshell but still gives support.
I used soft shell always due to it gives me more rotation on on my back side wave riding Yes it dose slip up but not when I am ridding down the line Hard shell use if using line or your wast line ? But I find them restricted rotation Myhook ends up slightly around on my back , Back side I also had lower back problems but go too gym 4 times a week to strengthen my lower back
I had lower back problems some years ago as well (ended up having a discectomy in about the same location). After my recovery the physic suggested a seat harness. I've been using them ever since quite happily. when i did try going back to my old waist harness to give it a go, i ended up very sore both during and after the session. I agree with Hornedsquirrel though, best thing to do is give some a try. Even if you can't give any a go on the water, at least in a shop rather than just buying on online off someone else's recommendation.
Thanks guys, I've been looking at hybrids, which seem to be a good mid-point between hard and soft shells. Don't really want to go to seat harnesses as the discomfort to other body parts seems worse than the back issue and also I feel I can twist more from the waist up. Has anyone tried the Manera Halo? From some videos and comments I have seen, it seems it could be a game changer, but the feedback for wave riding specifically is still limited...
Been using the Manera Eclipse since 2021 very happy with it for wave ridding slide well on my hips And material they use inside is smooth and comfortable Stiffness with flex This is harness the show on web page for surf board ridding The others for freestyle so not sure on halo need to see it before I could comment
I used to have the Dakine C1 and subsequently moved to the Manera Exo and then Eclipse. Both are a lot more comfortable than the C1 for my body shape. Both the Exo and Eclipse slip around my waist so I don't feel the need for a slider spreader bar. They don't ride up much for me either.
I understand the Halo is very comfortable but can squeeze the waist a bit when riding in really powered conditions so best as a surf/foil/freeride harness rather than one you might use for going out absolutely lit all the time. Apparently it doesn't slide around the waist as much though.
Broken my back 3 times now 
You want to lift weights and dont stretch before kiteing instead you want to warm up instead
Then at night right before bed do your stretching.
Ontop of having fractured vertebraes etc decades of carrying timber and bouncy bouncy steel around has compressed most my vertebraes also.
Been useing hardshell harnesses since the first lot of ion hadlow signature ones and my back doesnt hurt at all and i throwdown alot of unhooked flippy ****
When i break my ribs and legs and cant workout for ahwhile i loose muscle density and my back goes to absolute **** so i really have to keep ontop of the weight training since i became an old fart
Useing a seat harness would do sweet **** all to help me or anyone else with a back as bad as mine the only solution is to be strong enough in your back and core to keep everything together nice and tight.
I do alot of bouldering and landing on pads and indoor matts is definitely just as bad for my back as stomping powered unhooked tricks.
So my advice is forget about this what harness what equipment bs and treat the actual problem. Buy a skateboard and throw yourself down enough stairs and drops that you learn to land properly and build up some muscles around your back.
Tldr punks not dead eat concrete
Select to expand quoteDLT said..
Hello,
I've been searching the net for a discussion about this but haven't found one so thought I'd start one here.
For the last 4 years or so I've been using an ION Vertex waist harness for surfing with a kite, which is all I do (including strapless jumps). This is a soft harness without any internal pads.
My back is not the best, I have a dehydrated disk between L4 and L5 but I've managed to control and minimize the pain via stretching and others. However, naturally, I want to try to take the best care of my back. And that's why about 8 years ago I tried a hard shell (supposedly they are better for your back), the Dakine C1 I think it was. I did not like it at all as I felt very constrained in my movements and had some back pain after sessions. I tried other hard shells now and again to see if I liked them but I was always left with the impression that their lack of any kind of lateral movement or give is very restrictive, especially for surfing. I have always used rope spreader bars but noticed I also rely on the harness rotating or twisting on my waist to some extent for freer movement.
Now I find myself on the market for a new harness and am again faced with the dilemma of giving the hard shells or hybrids a try, especially since the brands seem to be pushing them so much in terms of back health and many wave team riders also seem to be using them. However, I'm still not convinced as they still seem very restrictive, first of all due to the hard shell of course (it still seems the increased range of movement required for surfing will cause it to push into my ribs) and, second, because of all the pads they have on the inside (which, because they are so sticky and restrict movement, tend to twist the back). Furthermore, I don't completely trust companies pushing the hard shells vs the soft shells, especially since they are hundreds of dollars more expensive...
I have been pretty happy with my soft harness as I've found that it allows more freedom and has more give, both in terms of lateral and circular movement around the waist. It just seems that the softness itself is a good quality to have for the movement requirements of wave riding instead of a bad one. Granted, the up and down travel might be more than a hard shell but I think that isn't as important in the waves as the lateral freedom.
So I wanted to ask for your help. What do you think about my rationale for a soft harness for waveriding vs. a hard shell? Does it make any sense to you and have you experienced something similar? Or have you found that the newer hard shells are better for surfing anyway? Has anyone found the perfect waist harness for surfing with a kite? I've been checking the Manera Halo, Mystic Majestic, Warrior and Star, and Ion Riot Curv and Rival. Any recommendations on these or others?
Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!
Cheers!
Strongly recommend trying a 2024 model seat harness. For several years I used hardshell harnesses, until I had a major meltdown with all the my compressed and fractured vertebrae (6 in total) I have 2 thoracic 7/8 and 4 lumbar, in 2020 had such severe pain I could not move much and was confined to bed or a chair, definitely no kiting. Eventually found a hyrdrotherapist who got me in a pool and over the next 3 years I've swum everyday possible, and there are specific aqua exercises I still do to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine as well as lots of freestyle. This has transformed my body and I can kite again, but the hardshell eventually caused me a lot of pain again. I only ride surfboards in waves.
So I got a Mystic marshall seat harness and now I can kite without pain again, I use the 280mm Mystic stealth surf spreader bar which is a rope slider and most of the time im on my backhand riding down the line with no issues turning tight and smacking lips.
Try a modern seat harness and build up your core strength with low impact exercise like swimming.
Yeah my spinal surgeon doesnt know **** all 
what an idiot i always knew there was something wrong with him never trust someone that eats pizza with a knife and fork
you guys are right just buy a seat harness thatll solve it
Buy a new kite to preferably a pure C 5 line directly connected kite and a new board something with heaps of rocker to soften all the impacts on the water
Dont forget to buy a new bar or 2 a kite one and one of those 3 story walk ups with the bed bugs upstairs
Money money money thats what the forums here for
