Manera top-shelf harnessess: Exo and Union
Let's quote some of Manera harness reviews from kite mags:
The Exo has rigid flaps on either side of the spreader bar that tuck into the harness body to help create a solid feel and keep the spreader bar in place. In addition, the webbing attachments for the spreader bar are tall and asymmetrical to give the harness more leverage over the spreader bar and prevent upward slip. The Exo can be ordered with six different spreader bar lengths, the idea being the proper harness / spreader bar combo will have very little webbing between the two. The Exo also features a tall frame version in the medium, large and X-large sizes in order to incorporate height as well as waist size into choosing the correct harness.
The Exo’s leash attachment line features a release pin on either side, which serves as a final fail-safe release to disconnect you from your harness leash. The release pin also makes it easy to switch between a sliding safety leash attachment and a stationary attachment on either side. This is a useful feature because some riders prefer to have their safety leash fixed on one side and others prefer the free traveling approach. (Pictured below)
After both wetsuit and non-wetsuit sessions our testers reported that the Manera EXO delivers excellent back support yet feels thin and flexible enough to get every grab. The spreader bar pad was comfortable and testers reported the harness stayed locked in place below the ribs. Testers reported the preformed C shape made for a good fit along tester’s sides and the foam back pad matched the ergonomics of their backs. Testers noted the spreader bar doesn’t have a quick release, which requires users to adjust the webbing straps to get in and out of the harness. Although this requires more effort, the upside of this design is the absence of working parts that risk being fowled by sand and the potential for an unexpected release.
Overall, the Manera Exo features a clean and well thought out design that places load where you want it – on your back. The spreader bar feels locked in place and doesn’t roll up into your ribs. Testers gave the Exo high praise for providing comfort and support while leaving extensive range of movement for fun and aggressive riding." www.iksurfmag.com // Rou Chater // EXO "The EXO harness from Manera burst onto the scene and radically changed the way harnesses were made, utilising an exoskeleton to put the frame of the harness on the outside and all the padding on the inside. Manera also worked with a human kinetics science laboratory to test their products to ensure they could make the most comfortable harness possible. The first incarnation was an instant hit, and despite the cost, they won fans around the world. I found it to be the most comfortable harness on the market for my body shape; it is worth mentioning that harnesses are very personal things(...) In fact, I liked it so much when I took a different harness with me on a long trip and found it not to my tastes, I paid some hard earned cash to get an EXO shipped out to my location! Moulding you can see on the back integrates with the webbing, buckles and the spreader bar to create an external shell around your body. Sizing is important as Manera recommend having a minimal amount of webbing between the buckle and the spreader bar. There are six sizes in the range from XS to XXL and each spreader bar is sized to suit each harness.
On The Water
Overall
The other clever aspect of the Union is it is designed to be exceedingly lightweight, even when wet. A minimum amount of material is used, and the idea is that most of the materials won’t absorb water. This is a very very light harness, and even better if you sneak in a last minute session before a flight home, it won’t tip the scales at the airport either having soaked up half the ocean.
On The Water
Overall
Finally, the biggest difference in the Union and the Exo harnesses is its foam construction. The Union uses a single injection mold for a single-piece foam backing which reduces unnecessary stitching and glue compared to the Exo which uses two Thermo foam layers along with two Nest foam layers. Consequently, the Union’s new construction makes the harness incredibly light — a size medium Union with no spreader bar weighs in at 2.4lbs! Due to the lack of multiple foam layups, the Union doesn’t absorb water and stays feather light during your entire session.
One of the biggest features we noticed while riding the Union vs. Exo is that the Exo has a slightly raised arc in the lumbar while the Union is more rounded. While the harness stays in place vertically, this allows for the harness to easily slide horizontally around your waist (think traveling spreader bar), making kite stance more comfortable when riding waves but also allowing you to keep your hook for strapless freestyle or unhooked riding." Soo, if you are convinced now, get one of those here
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