As stated in our kite trapeze selection aid Your trapeze is part of the core kitesurfing equipment. You can't live without it and a kite trapeze largely determines whether you have fun or not. Nothing is as annoying as a kitesurfing trapeze that creeps up or causes painful moments on the water. In recent years I have sometimes switched between a hip harness and a sitting harness. This time I took the opportunity to kitesurf a number of times with the Prolimit Charger kite seat harness, officially the 'Prolimit Kite Seat Charger'. View the findings in this Prolimit Charger kite seat harness review.
Why a kitesurfing seat harness?
We'll get straight to the point because the Charger is Prolimit's most expensive and most advanced seat harness. Looking for the best seat harness with which I can brave the heaviest storms and... kite loops If I can turn without putting too much strain on my lower back, I don't skimp on a trapeze. As explained in the kitesurf trapeze selection aid I like a sitting harness because the height of the harness on the hips is lower than a hip harness. This helps to dissipate the force on the kiteboard in strong winds and gusts. After all, the center of gravity is lower. It also relieves the abdominal muscles and ribs. This gives me longer sessions. In addition, a seat harness never slides up, which means the risk of rib injuries is much smaller.
Prolimit Charger review
3D shapes make a difference
As stated, the Charger is Prolimit's most advanced seat harness. For example, the Charger has a hard 3D preformed rear on the outside with extra lower back supporting parts on the inside. The seating area is also 3D shaped. While I normally tighten the seat harness very loosely because it quickly creates too much pressure on the hips, I notice that, thanks to the pre-formed shapes, I can tighten the harness a little more without creating annoying or restrictive pressure points. Walking with the pants on also goes well. All in all, some positive initial findings in this Prolimit Charger kite seat harness review.
Lots of support for the lower back
Normally I only tighten the trapeze hook of a seat harness loosely so that the hook has some space. A seat harness hardly does a good job of crawling up, and I am normally not that impressed with the lower back support provided by seat harnesses. From the fourth kitesurfing session with the Prolimit Charger, I also tightened the spreader bar. Surprisingly, this provided a lot of extra support in the lower back. Something that you do with kiteloops but also at the beginning of your kitesurfing career can use well.
Prolimit Charger trapeze size
The circumference of my hips at the widest point of my hips is 97 centimeters. The Charger in size M fits me fine. It fits well and I can still walk well with it. After an hour and a half of kitesurfing with an 8 meter kite at 25 knots, I notice that the Charger has crept up slightly at the straps between the legs. Maybe I can improve the setting a little.
Quality Prolimit Charger kite seat harness
I will not go into all the extras that the Charger is equipped with. You can take a look at this yourself Prolimit.com. The fact is that this is Prolimit's seat trapeze showpiece.
Conclusion Prolimit Charger kite seat harness review
Of course, the seat harness still feels like you are wearing a diaper. It doesn't look that cool either. However, for me the advantages of a seat harness outweigh the disadvantages. Normally I only use a seat harness if I am using a very large kite in little wind to relieve the abdominal muscles or in a storm to protect my ribs. The Prolimit Charger kitesurf seat harness is the first seat harness that I use time after time. It is also the first seat harness that offers me sufficient support, for example kite loops. So a keeper for me.
