Two years ago I ordered a new harness because I was sick of the off the shelf crap I was finding in the States. My old custom harness died a while ago. I decided to try something new since the loft that made the last one for me wasn't in business anymore. The challenge in the USA is finding a quality unit that's built well enough to last at least 3 years and of course comfortable on your man sack. It's tough because it's such a niche market, there is no one really putting a solid effort to meet the demands of a what I needed. Go to any chandlery or online retail sailing supply and you are offered anything from a cheap Chinese knockoff to weird safety hook contraptions that do more harm than good. Then there is the wide variety of adjustable type harnesses with all the buckles and straps to deal with - no thanks. Because of this I've bought units from the UK, Canada, and finally Australia. I ended up with a Bigfoot harness.
I first saw these at the 49er Worlds a few years ago and was really impressed with the fit, finish and ample use of quality materials. When I got mine, I was even more impressed. It's made entirely of Cordura -meaning it's not going to wear out anytime soon. The hook is the best part. It's a custom piece, shaped into a spreader bar with the hook penetrating a backing plate and then bent and welded along the backside for added insurance. The entire bar is sewn into the harness making a really slick, snag free design while satisfying the comfort issues. No more squeezed hips. On the first sail out of the harbor, I could immediately feel the difference. Sooo much better! I could easily say that this is the best I've seen around. It's not cheap - you pay for the quality but it's competitively priced against the latest products coming out of Zhik and so forth. I brought a few back with me from Oz. If you're interested, contact me. Check it out, your nards will thank you.
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