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How To: Select The Best Harness For You

  • November 3, 2021

 

There are currently 5 unique harnesses in the AK range with one of the harnesses designed to have a separate seat attachment for those who want the best of both worlds.

In this article, we will do a recap of each harness’s purpose and guide you
through the process of selecting the one that suits your needs best.

 

 

 

WAIST HARNESSES

 

ETHER WAIST HARNESS

akdurablesupplyco-AK_Ether_Waist-HarnessHow To: Select The Best Harness For YouHow ToPurpose:  Kiteboarding

Key points:
1. Minimalist & lightweight waist harness.
2. Ergonomic lumbar support.
3. 3D load plate with soft edges.

Compatibility:

The Ether is designed to work with all AK spreader bar systems, allowing the harness to be used by all riders no matter the discipline.

LEARN MORE

 

 

 

 

MORE ABOUT THE LIGHTWEIGHT ETHER HARNESS

akdurablesupplyco-AK_Ether-Waist-Harness-1How To: Select The Best Harness For YouHow To

 

By removing all unnecessary padding, seams, and reinforcement, we have created an ultralight harness ideal for riders who travel and have an affinity for minimalism. Making use of a 3D ergonomically shaped load plate, combined with our Fly-Line load distribution technology, we have been able to build a harness that offers the ultimate back support while being incredibly thin and light.

The Ether harness is a lightweight, compact harness, that prioritizes comfort and durability.

The objective with the Ether was high support and comfort, in a harness that packs down to next to nothing. Conceptually, besides minimalism, we followed the fundamentals of biomimicry, where we approached load distribution completely differently and explored the concept of the load plate as a flexible membrane that changes with your body’s movement. Once realized, this was then reinforced by load-bearing lines, just like tendons, supporting heavier loading without adding much weight.

 

 

 

METHOD HARNESS

Ak Method HarnessPurpose: Kiteboarding

Key points:
1. Ergonomic hardback support.
2. Center-oriented stiffness & enhanced edge flex.
3. Composite & polymer fusion construction.

Compatibility:
Compatible with all AK spreader bars.

LEARN MORE

 

 

SYNTH HARNESS

akdurablesupplyco-21_AK_Synth-Waist-Harness_Teal_img-01-e1636018977830How To: Select The Best Harness For YouHow To

Purpose: Kiteboarding & Windsurfing.

Key Points:
1.
Intermediate flex composite shell.
2. Stiffened center lumbar support.
3. Versatile high support waist harness.

Compatibility:

Compatible with the Synth Seat Connection.
Compatible with all AK spreader bars.

LEARN MORE

 

 

COMPARISON

Ak Method Harness

akdurablesupplyco-21_AK_Synth-Waist-Harness_Gray_img-01How To: Select The Best Harness For YouHow To

 

 

The Method

vs.

The Synth

 

 

The Method harness is suitable for any kind of rider who enjoys steady support & ultimate comfort for longer periods of time while the Synth is dedicated to the more intermediate-advanced rider.

Since the Synth has a semi-hard shell, it has a little bit more torsional flex while keeping the support characteristics of a hard-back harness. The Method, however, is a pure hardback harness for high-level support but is still able to flex along with your body’s movement.

Both harnesses have a full neoprene interior liner with the Method adding a layer of memory foam that cushions your back from the hard external shell.

 

 

 

SEAT HARNESSES

 

ETHER SEAT HARNESS

AK Ether Seat Harness

Purpose: Kiteboarding.

Key Points:
1. Minimalist & lightweight seat harness.
2. Low hook position ideal for racing & foil.
3. Low-cut leg straps to keep the harness down.

Compatibility:
Suitable for AK spreader bars.

LEARN MORE

 

 

FUSE SEAT HARNESS

akdurablesupplyco-21_AK_Fuse-Seat-Harness_Black_img-01How To: Select The Best Harness For YouHow To

Purpose: Kiteboarding.

Key Points:
1. Versatile ergonomic seat harness.
2. Full back support.
3. Reinforced padded handle.

Compatibility:
AK Spreader Bar Included.

LEARN MORE

 

 

 

COMPARISON

AK Ether Seat Harness

akdurablesupplyco-21_AK_Fuse-Seat-Harness_Teal_img-01-1How To: Select The Best Harness For YouHow To

 

The Ether Seat

vs.

The Fuse Seat

 

 

The Fuse seat harness is a classic low-cut seat harness with full back support, perfect for anyone from the first-time rider to a veteran racer. For those who are learning, with upper back problems or racing, the Fuse is ideal for low hook style riding and comfort. While the Fuse seat harness offers slightly higher back support,  an internal back pad, and a reinforced grab handle; the Ether seat is a high-performance, lightweight, and compact seat harness with streamlined features.

 Since the streamlined features of the Ether seat minimize obtrusive connection points and reduce weight, the advanced shaping optimizes freedom of movement and comfort. The Ether seat harness also features a low hook system, perfect for foiling, high-performance racing, or riders who simply prefer the low-down pull.

 

SYNTH SEAT CONNECTION

AK Synth Seat Connection

Purpose: Attachment to Synth harness.

Key Points:
1.
Durable back section.
2. Buckle-less attachment points.
3. Synth compatibility.

Compatibility:
Compatible with Synth harness.

LEARN MORE

 

 

 

 

VIEW THE COMPLETE KITE ACCESSORIES RANGE

 

 

AK Harness Sizing Guide

 

akdurablesupplyco-Screenshot-2021-11-03-at-10.18.57How To: Select The Best Harness For YouHow To

 

 

 

Next Article: How To: Select The Best Spreader Bar For You

Craig Thompkins Spreader Bar

There are currently 4 unique spreader bars in the AK range.

In this article, we will do a recap of each spreader bar’s purpose and guide you through the process of selecting the one that suits your needs best…

 

 

 

 

Next Article: The Synth – Behind The Design

akdurablesupplyco-AK_Synth-Harness_Flo-Jung_Sam-Tomé-2How To: Select The Best Harness For YouHow To

Take a look behind the scenes with Craig Tompkins, the designer behind the Synth harness, featuring Curv®.

“Craig is an Industrial Designer based in Cape Town, South Africa. Having grown up in and around a workshop, his interest in building and creating things began at a young age. After he completed his professional training in Industrial Design, he took an interest in developing well refined, functional products…”

 

 

Next Article: AWSI AK Product Overview

akdurablesupplyco-AK_Hydrofoil-PreviewHow To: Select The Best Harness For YouHow To

Take a look at the AK Hydrofoil & Board range at AWSI, presented by The Kiteboarder Magazine.

Clinton Filen walks us through AK Durable Supply Co.’s offering of 2022 wingsurfing boards at AWSI in Hood River, Oregon…

Watch Video

 

 

Next Article: Pathways – Featuring Dale Staples

akdurablesupplyco-AK_Dale-Staples_Pathways_HomeHow To: Select The Best Harness For YouHow To

Join us as we delve into the life of former QS surfer turned all-around waterman, Dale Staples. From his childhood on the coast, competition career, to bringing new life into the world with his partner, Murf. Film maker Tao Faren-Hefer takes a fly on the wall approach to unpack what has lead Dale from a dedicated surf career, to the hydrofoil…

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