Lots of the World Cup and Olympic sailors are using it... have any of you guys used it? Thoughts... or What style of harness do you use? Waist or Seat?
I recently got a seat harness for the first time. Mystic. The hook is pretty high, almost like waist harness height. It's really nice and better for my back (I have back pain). I don't understand why people say seat harnesses are only for freeride / racing gear. I use mine even on small freewave gear and it's great. The straps don't bother me at all. And in maneuvers you are not hooked in anyway
It reminds me old school seat harness from the 90s. I used to have them loose so to place them higher up my back in order to better support my back like a waist harness. The seat portion of the harness spreads the load between the hips and the back in order not to strain the back muscles. I am a big guy 190cm 100kilos so this set up used to be my favorite for bump and jump conditions.
The Liberty/Drake is just super comfortable on a longer reach. With my usual waist harness I can definitely feel my back on a long reach. With the Drake/Liberty my legs and/or arms give up before my back does. For me it was the best investment in the last few years. A waist harness probably has a bit more control in super gnarly conditions though, for me as a weekend/holiday warrior definitely worth the tradeoff.
I tested my seat harness at the beginning of the season, after going waist for a few years. But man did I get a surprise, the seat harness felt super good and have been using it on every session this season! Feel like I get better feedback to my body from the sail, so it is easier to put the power down. The hook height difference is really quite small. And both harnesses restrict movement but in different ways.
I use hybrid harnesses from mystic, ion, ascan and Pat Love since several Years. The position of the hook is high enough. I use it mostly in waves. It feels good and did not slide up.
I have been using one for a few months, yes really good with the larger sails. Also better for me when it is a bit looser and goes a little higher. Biggest issue for me is waterstarting, the flap on the bottom is quite loose and seems to act as a brake when I lift myself up, could be that I just need to get used to it.
I switched my old 2 parts Gaastra harness (which is essential the same as this Liberty, but then in pink) to a second hand Dakine T5 waist harness. I got back pain from it and just could not manage it. I already ditched my old Gaastra harness so could not go back. So I made 2 leg loops and stitched them to my Dakine T5. No I can wear it loose and low, it stays in place thanks to the loops. Essentially the same as the Liberty but more flexible. I can adjust the loops I can wear my harness higher if needed. Best of both worlds I think.
I started using a seat harness a few years ago for foiling. When I went back to try a waist harness, I felt the rig was lifting me up. Same feeling Ben felt when using this harness. I think it’s a matter of getting used to it.
I love my liberty harness. Much less back fatigue compared to my waist. Only negative is that it can ride up a bit if you are in the water. Easy to pull down before water starting. Maybe next addition liberty includes a pocket for lead?
Im using a high seat - low waist with straps around my legs for over a year now. I really don't get it why this is so new, i really like it and totally dont get the waist harness in slalom.
Some pros say they prefer waist harness because they help with control in overpowered conditions and they can hook/unhook a tad faster. But I’m not a pro and the seat harness prevents back pain for me 😊
I have it too and I like it a lot after using only seat harnesses for whole my surflife. Did you know mister Libery also makes carbon battens which are used by a lot of PWA riders? Or is this a secret? 😮😅
It is my impression most converting to this for foil not so much fin as you need way more downforce in the harness compared to leverage thus the waist harness can feel like it is riding a lot. I at least feel going downwind on foil I need to hang and force down where on upwinds I need leverage and pushing out more... so on downwind I'd love a seat, and on upwind I'd love a waist, thus why this is a compromise. Maybe that is why you didn't feel top potential on a fin --- this is from someone who has NOT tried the liberty, but this is why I want to try it. Because I want a seat on down and waist on up and this seems to be 80% of that, best of both worlds.
Can't see the advantage compared to a seat harness with a high hook like Dakine Fusion where you can adjust the height of the hook by loosening or tightening the leg straps. Or am I wrong? Hook looks super low to me.
Been looking for this product tested by you for a bit now. I know you'll give your unbiased review. I guess the real test will be a long distance race like the Defi where you were having back issues, like a lot of your follower's ( me included). Seems like the Holey grail to find a waist harness that doesn't ride up vs the lifted feeling of a seat harness, followed by a catapult because you couldn't unhook in time.
Maybe they did. I Never tried.. this harness has been out ages though. I remember Steve Allen using it.. but it seems it’s been re born especially in Foiling..
@WindsurfingTV I've been using the cheaper Drake equivalent for the last couple of months. Definitely getting more control in the chop on the AV 63/98l with 6.2 and 7.0. Have yet to try it with the speed kit
I have not tried the Waist/Seat Combo yet, but then I no longer race much anymore. When I did race formula I used a seat harness for the exact opposite reasons you don't like them. With a seat harness I could comfortably hold down the huge sails but with a waist harness I would get lifted. In formula racing Phil McGain wore both seat & waist at the same time. He used the seat for the downwind runs & the waist for the upwind I believe. Anyway, I'm pretty much a waist harness guy now as my reaches rarely are longer than 1 km or so.
Looks like you're wearing it too low in the beginning (vs how the other pros wear it) . I have one and its nicer a littler higher, more the normal waist harness position. Otherwise it feels too much like a seat
Lots of the World Cup and Olympic sailors are using it... have any of you guys used it? Thoughts... or What style of harness do you use? Waist or Seat?
I have it and love it for Foil Slalom!
what size do you have ?
@@cnossena
@@jayzz2368 I use a small even though I’m 1.94/95kg.
I recently got a seat harness for the first time. Mystic. The hook is pretty high, almost like waist harness height. It's really nice and better for my back (I have back pain). I don't understand why people say seat harnesses are only for freeride / racing gear. I use mine even on small freewave gear and it's great. The straps don't bother me at all. And in maneuvers you are not hooked in anyway
It reminds me old school seat harness from the 90s. I used to have them loose so to place them higher up my back in order to better support my back like a waist harness. The seat portion of the harness spreads the load between the hips and the back in order not to strain the back muscles. I am a big guy 190cm 100kilos so this set up used to be my favorite for bump and jump conditions.
Welcome back to the seat harness 😃
The Liberty/Drake is just super comfortable on a longer reach. With my usual waist harness I can definitely feel my back on a long reach. With the Drake/Liberty my legs and/or arms give up before my back does. For me it was the best investment in the last few years. A waist harness probably has a bit more control in super gnarly conditions though, for me as a weekend/holiday warrior definitely worth the tradeoff.
I tested my seat harness at the beginning of the season, after going waist for a few years. But man did I get a surprise, the seat harness felt super good and have been using it on every session this season! Feel like I get better feedback to my body from the sail, so it is easier to put the power down. The hook height difference is really quite small. And both harnesses restrict movement but in different ways.
We used it in the seventies and still do!
I use hybrid harnesses from mystic, ion, ascan and Pat Love since several Years. The position of the hook is high enough. I use it mostly in waves. It feels good and did not slide up.
I have been using one for a few months, yes really good with the larger sails. Also better for me when it is a bit looser and goes a little higher. Biggest issue for me is waterstarting, the flap on the bottom is quite loose and seems to act as a brake when I lift myself up, could be that I just need to get used to it.
I switched my old 2 parts Gaastra harness (which is essential the same as this Liberty, but then in pink) to a second hand Dakine T5 waist harness. I got back pain from it and just could not manage it. I already ditched my old Gaastra harness so could not go back. So I made 2 leg loops and stitched them to my Dakine T5. No I can wear it loose and low, it stays in place thanks to the loops. Essentially the same as the Liberty but more flexible. I can adjust the loops I can wear my harness higher if needed. Best of both worlds I think.
Seat harness Neilpryde… for my free ride/race/speed session, never had a waist harness since 30 years.
I started using a seat harness a few years ago for foiling. When I went back to try a waist harness, I felt the rig was lifting me up. Same feeling Ben felt when using this harness. I think it’s a matter of getting used to it.
Wish I'd know about that 2 weeks ago before I bought NP waist & seat Harnesses, neither of which I like.
I love my liberty harness. Much less back fatigue compared to my waist. Only negative is that it can ride up a bit if you are in the water. Easy to pull down before water starting. Maybe next addition liberty includes a pocket for lead?
The new Drake Harness Hybrid 2024 have pockets for lead
Im using a high seat - low waist with straps around my legs for over a year now. I really don't get it why this is so new, i really like it and totally dont get the waist harness in slalom.
Some pros say they prefer waist harness because they help with control in overpowered conditions and they can hook/unhook a tad faster. But I’m not a pro and the seat harness prevents back pain for me 😊
I have it too and I like it a lot after using only seat harnesses for whole my surflife.
Did you know mister Libery also makes carbon battens which are used by a lot of PWA riders? Or is this a secret? 😮😅
Was your stance different? You seemed to be very low to the water? It would be neat to see side by side video with the old harness.
The hook is windsurfing one. i have been using more than 10 years.
I personally miss the Dakine Speed Seat as I prefer the lower hip position.
the best harness
He was defying physics right at beachstart...
It is my impression most converting to this for foil not so much fin as you need way more downforce in the harness compared to leverage thus the waist harness can feel like it is riding a lot. I at least feel going downwind on foil I need to hang and force down where on upwinds I need leverage and pushing out more... so on downwind I'd love a seat, and on upwind I'd love a waist, thus why this is a compromise. Maybe that is why you didn't feel top potential on a fin --- this is from someone who has NOT tried the liberty, but this is why I want to try it. Because I want a seat on down and waist on up and this seems to be 80% of that, best of both worlds.
Can't see the advantage compared to a seat harness with a high hook like Dakine Fusion where you can adjust the height of the hook by loosening or tightening the leg straps. Or am I wrong? Hook looks super low to me.
I looked into getting one a week or two ago but no availability
Been looking for this product tested by you for a bit now. I know you'll give your unbiased review. I guess the real test will be a long distance race like the Defi where you were having back issues, like a lot of your follower's ( me included). Seems like the Holey grail to find a waist harness that doesn't ride up vs the lifted feeling of a seat harness, followed by a catapult because you couldn't unhook in time.
Didn´t Starboard / Drake have a similar harness years ago? Or just go for a mid-height seat harness...
Maybe they did. I Never tried.. this harness has been out ages though. I remember Steve Allen using it.. but it seems it’s been re born especially in Foiling..
@WindsurfingTV I've been using the cheaper Drake equivalent for the last couple of months. Definitely getting more control in the chop on the AV 63/98l with 6.2 and 7.0. Have yet to try it with the speed kit
Drake/Liberty, basically the same harness.
I have not tried the Waist/Seat Combo yet, but then I no longer race much anymore. When I did race formula I used a seat harness for the exact opposite reasons you don't like them. With a seat harness I could comfortably hold down the huge sails but with a waist harness I would get lifted. In formula racing Phil McGain wore both seat & waist at the same time. He used the seat for the downwind runs & the waist for the upwind I believe. Anyway, I'm pretty much a waist harness guy now as my reaches rarely are longer than 1 km or so.
Looks like you're wearing it too low in the beginning (vs how the other pros wear it) . I have one and its nicer a littler higher, more the normal waist harness position. Otherwise it feels too much like a seat
Seat harness, unless waves and then waist harness
Ben, the real question is:why did you have a kite hook on it? 🫣
Is it a kite hook?
ua-cam.com/video/2g5Hz17C4is/v-deo.htmlsi=kJNQaqf6xt8kc0u0
Yup. The end (tip) of the hook is wider. If you fall hooked in it will be hard to remove the lines from the hook, specially if the lines are twisted.
ΜΙΑ ΑΓΚΑΛΙΑ ΑΠΟ ΛΙΜΝΑΡΧΙΣ ΒΌΛΒΗ ΛΙΜΝΗ ΤΗΣ ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΊΑΣ ΕΛΛΑΣ 🇬🇷, 43 ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΣΥΝΕΧΩΣ ΚΑΘΙΣΜΑ ΞΕΚΟΥΡΑΣΤΑ ΜΈΣΗ ΧΕΡΙΑ ,