Dakine Speed Seat (and accessories)

Hi, this is my review on my Dakine Speed Seat Harness, and the other bits including the Dakine Spreader Bar and a Maui Magic Harness Line.

Now, lets start with the basics, cost and looks I think. Including all accessories, it should have cost around £65, but I got the Harness Line (£10) for free, so, I got it for £55. Also, incase you aren't a size small like me all pf the sizes cost the same. The looks, as far as I know, there are 2 or 3 colour schemes, but I got it it in the Grey, Light Blue and Dark Blue (see pic below) and looks very attractive, but I wouldnt advise wearing it around the street ;-).

https://www.extremekites.org/uploads/rk/reviews/dakineharness.jpg

Build quality : It seems to be fine so far. It seems to be pretty tough as I've had a few accidents with it and been dragged along along grass and sand. I cant comment on the quality of it in water because I havent used in on the water, but it has been drnahced in salt-water off the beach and there dont seem to be any consequences of that, but I did wash it about 24 hours later.

Setup : The Speed Seat it very easy to set up, infact, I think its hard to go wrong. Where the straps go is all pretty obvoius, even if you've never seen a harness before in your life. It takes me no more than 30

Comfort : The Speed Seat is very comfy, and I have no faults to talk about in this aspect of the review. Even when being pulled hard by a 15m Phantom it was still comfortable. The spreader bar doesnt dig in, but it will sometimes move about as a result of the power of the kite. There is also a nice comfy pad on the back of the inside of the harness which adds the comfort

Harness Line : The harness line in question is Maui Magic one, that cost a tener from shops. It's build contains a rope with plastic on the outside to protect the rope from wearing down too quickly. Its performance is fine, but it does appear its being worn a little bit on the plastic where it has rub against the spreader bar. Its been used on a Pansh Blaze 5.0m and a HQ Beamer II 2.5m so I'm not sure if it should really do that....

Spreader Bar : To be honest, the spreader bar isnt really that interesting, infact, its just a few peices of metal stuck together, but it doesnt seem to be anything wrong with it. It doesnt dig in, even when you're being dragged along on your front, which is quite nice.

Jumping and pull ability : The harness is very good under strain. The highest Ive been in it is 9ft, but I have done many many smaller jumps with it and it seems to be fine. It handles pull very well, the straps dont start to come undone if its being pulled too hard, and it certainly doesnt rip.

Straps : The Speed Seat straps are all good, they dont appear to be unstitching or anything major like that. BUT, if you are going to buy one of these harnesses take extra care when you fasten up the big strap on your left waist. Its one of those mechanisms where you thread the matreial through, then close the little plastic door if you can call it that. All of my inland accidents have happened when I havent done this strap up properly and it has come undone, so like I say, be careful in that sense

Boarding : Like I said before, I havent been surfing in this, so I cant comment, nor have I been buggying in it, but I have been boarding with it. It's good for boarding because, as the name suggests, it harnesses the power while you maintain speed.

Conclusion : In conclusion, if you want a budget(ish) harness with a good build then this is the one for you..

Ratings:

Looks : 9/10

Easy to use : 8/10

Boarding : 8/10

Recreational : 8/10

Build : 8/10

Comfort : 9/10

Straps : 7/10

Value for money : 10/10

OVERALL : 8 and a half /10

Hope this review has helped

By : the_bleep