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Test 2019The best windsurf seat harnesses at a glance

Stephan Gölnitz

 · 30.07.2019

Test 2019: The best windsurf seat harnesses at a glancePhoto: Stephan Gölnitz
Test 2019: Seat harnesses
The range of seat harnesses extends from thongs to corsets - much more extreme than hip models. The differences in support comfort and freedom of movement are just as great in this test field.

Just as some men often pull their trousers higher than necessary as they get older and some youngsters want to do the same to avoid unwanted low looks, these harnesses also sit between "baggy", with the top edge just at hip bone level, or in the style of Peter Lustig dungarees with the back pulled up high. Even though hip harnesses are increasingly taking over the market, even among slalom racers, seat harnesses continue to offer advantages: The harness never slides up, even when the rider is crouched low at speed - even if you don't have the trapezoidal upper body of a World Cup pro. On an upwind course, the leverage ratios are favourable and the upper body can be turned freely in all directions and leaned far outwards. The tight slalom race trousers are comfortable and unobtrusive even on land. Those who prefer maximum back support will end up with very effective harness models, but these are not ideal for long beach hikes.

Quick start:In addition to the hook fastener, the leg straps are often used as a criterion for quick donning. In our experience, models with full-length leg straps and large buckles - but without a buckle - are just as quick to tighten, but have full-length padding over the leg straps.

The complete test of these seat harnesses with all information, descriptions, ratings and technical data is available as a PDF in the download area below:

  • DaKine XT Seat
  • GA-Sails Rider Seat
  • GunSails On Ride
  • Gunsails Pro Seat
  • ION Octane
  • Mystic Driver
  • NP Core
  • NP Gravity
  • NP Race Seat Standard
  • Prolimit Cruiser
  • Prolimit Rambler
  • Poinz-7 SL Seat
  • Severne CMR
  • Severne Pod
  • Unifber Freeride
DaKine XT Seat
Photo: Stephan Gölnitz
Maximum support comfort (left) and maximum freedom of movement (right) compete in the case of seat harnesses. The tight-fitting briefs are not uncomfortable, but they put more strain on the core muscles and always have a very low hook.Photo: Stephan GölnitzMaximum support comfort (left) and maximum freedom of movement (right) compete in the case of seat harnesses. The tight-fitting briefs are not uncomfortable, but they put more strain on the core muscles and always have a very low hook.During normal manoeuvres, even very high-cut harnesses are hardly restrictive. The differences in the freedom of movement of the legs during beach and water starts are more obvious.Photo: Stephan GölnitzDuring normal manoeuvres, even very high-cut harnesses are hardly restrictive. The differences in the freedom of movement of the legs during beach and water starts are more obvious.
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Downloads:

Seated trapezes (pdf)

Stephan Gölnitz

Stephan Gölnitz

Deputy Editor in Chief surf

Stephan Gölnitz comes from Bochum and had Holland as his home windsurfing territory for many years before moving to Munich in 1996 for the job of test editor at surf magazine. The materials engineering graduate worked as a surf instructor on the Ijsselmeer during his studies and competed for several seasons for the Essen sailing team in the Surfbundesliga and the Funboard Cup. He completed a traineeship at surf-Magazin in the test department and since then has actively accompanied almost all tests on the boom and for more than 10 years also as a photographer. Stephan has covered many thousands of test kilometers, mainly on Lake Garda and in Langebaan, but also in Egypt and Tobago. He gets his hands on over 100 new sails and boards every year as his company car. Privately, he prefers to surf with a foil on Lake Walchensee or “unfortunately far too rarely” in the waves. SUP is Stephan's second passion, which he pursued for several years at numerous SUP races. Today, he prefers to paddle on river tours with family or friends - even for several days.

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