Hard-shell hip harness: The Goya Obi Pro put to the test

The new hard-shell model is available in a choice of six vibrant colours. You also have the option of fitting the hip harness with a fixed standard hook plate or a sliding hook – the total price is 349 euros in both cases. The Obi Pro does away with any gimmicks; according to the manufacturer, the focus was on “lightweight design and maximum freedom of movement”. The rigid shell is edged with a soft rim that moulds well to the contours of the hips. For our tester, with a waist circumference of 93 centimetres, size L fitted well.

• ​Behind the scenes: “As small, slim and light as possible” – that’s how the Goya Obi Pro was developed

The harness is secured to the body using a slightly stretchy Velcro fastening. The quick-release fastening is reminiscent of earlier Dakine models and takes a little getting used to at first: to fasten it, you need to loosen one side of the strap slightly, but once you’ve done that, the system snaps into place quickly. Finally, you tighten the strap again, which is also very straightforward.

Once secured, the harness sits firmly against the body without slipping and, thanks to its relatively small surface area, offers excellent freedom of movement. Nevertheless, we found the back support to be very good when riding waves, as the rigid shell distributes the forces evenly across the entire surface. Its light weight means you almost forget you’re wearing a harness. Fortunately, the Goya Obi Pro also absorbs very little water. We found it extremely comfortable to wear. Nevertheless, as with other hard-shell harnesses, we recommend trying the harness on in-store: depending on your body shape, comfort levels can vary considerably, particularly with hard-shell harnesses.

surf’s verdict on the Goya Obi Pro

The Goya Obi Pro combines ideal freedom of movement with good back support. We found it to be very comfortable to wear; as with other hard-shell harnesses, we nevertheless recommend trying the harness on in-store, as comfort levels may vary depending on body shape. Anyone looking for a lightweight harness with maximum freedom of movement for wave and freestyle riding will definitely hit the mark with this one.

Freedom of movement, comfort, light weight

Straps must be loosened in order to engage the quick-release fastener

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The Goya Obi Pro is available in five sizes, from XS to XL.

For more information, see goyawindsurfing.com