When it comes to choosing between what’s right for you, there are numerous things to factor in.

Which Ride Engine harness frame material is best for you? Carbon fiber or composite? Here are some things to consider:

STIFFNESS

Both of our harness models offer a dramatically improved level of stiffness over flimsy soft-shell harnesses, which tend to buckle and deform in powered-up conditions. The stiffer the harness the more the pull of the kite will be spread around your mid-section. And, similar to mountain bikes and road bikes, when carbon fiber is utilized, frame stiffness is maximized. If you have back problems or demand the ultimate immobility and comfort from your harness, the firm fit and extra stiffness of the Elite Carbon is absolutely the way to go. If you’re looking for a little torsional flex added into the mix without sacrificing comfort, then Prime is your best choice thanks to its more forgiving composite frame.

DAMPING

A golf club or tennis racket made from carbon fiber will absorb vibrations that come from hitting the ball. The result is a damper “feel” throughout the club or racket into your hands. That same dampness translates to our Elite Carbon harness—you’ll be less jarred while riding and boosting, thanks to a smoother delivery of forces through the entire harness. What this does is provide a cushier feel to your harness without sacrificing stiffness.

COST

Carbon fiber is a more expensive and more complex material to build with than fiberglass/nylon composite, and this is reflected in the cost difference between the Elite Carbon and Prime. The frame of the Elite Carbon is built with12k carbon fiber(Tech Translation: 12K means there are 12,000 micro-strands of carbon-fiber filament in each “tow”, or roll, of carbon fiber). We use 12k because it provides maximum stiffness while also conforming and draping easier during the manufacturing of the harness frame without requiring as many layers or as much resin to achieve the frame’s shape, which produces an overall lighter frame than if we used a 3k or 6k carbon fiber.