Oct 9, 2009
The NRG waist harness is replacing the popular Nexus model in Dakine's 2010 lineup (available in shops Fall 2009). Windsport got hold of one and has been testing its support and comfort over the past 4 weeks.
First Impressions:
With harnesses brands know that a comfortable fit right off the bat is important. Consumers are told to try on all the available harnesses in the shop, hang off the available in-store test boom to replicate their windsurfing stance and see how it fits. Does the harness hug to your body in all the right places without rubbing annoyingly to anywhere in particular?
So we know harness choice is very personal... but the NRG felt great to our testers and everyone else we passed in on to for a trial wear. It seems pretty big (as if covering a large area of your lower back) when you first put it on BUT it doesn't feel big once snugged tight to your body. One tester commented, "it feels like you aren't even wearing a harness."
Comfort and Support:
The NRG's comfort and support originates from it's revolutionary shaping built into the spine. This allows it to stay in contact with a larger and more natural area of your lower back for unbelievable support and comfort. The harness stays in place at all times whether you are speeding along over the water or crashing repeatedly while learning new freestyle moves.
Get it on:
The NRG has gone to a single overlap powerbelt system to save some overall weight (see photo below).
It arrives supporting a stationary bar, but if you prefer a sliding bar then an additional Sliding Bar Kit (used in harness pictured here) can be added. This year the clip to keep one side of the spreader bar attached to the harness (so you don't lose it) is a small red clip connected to a neoprene thumb loop on both sides... this is an improved system in many ways: you won't lose your bar, you can now easily remove the bar with a simple twist and push on this clip, it can be attached on either side and the thumb loop is the ideal comfortable way to attach and remove the bar to or from the connector piece.
 
Conclusion:
Dakine has improved on the Nexus with the 2010 NRG waist harness adding more comfort and support features as well as upgrades to lessen overall weight and making putting it on and off that much easier. Try one on in a shop near you this Fall (2009).
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