At 36 years old, Prolimit is one of the oldest accessory brands in the wind and water sports industry. Their line of moulded and hardback harnesses uses a unique approach, and we’ve taken a closer look. Click here to find out what’s inside a Prolimit harness!

At 36 year old, Prolimit is one of the oldest accessory brands in the wind and water sports industry. Their line of moulded and hardback harnesses uses a unique approach and has introduced an exciting new technology, the PURE TM material. Kim Douma tells us all about it!

Prolimit is driven by the desire to create and build innovative water sports products. We at Prolimit have brought a lot of innovation to the harness market since the beginning, as the first brand to recognise kiteboarders as a specific target group. We introduced the first kite specific harness, using neoprene soft edges, inner plate constructions, dual foam systems, and Slide-In Barpads, which every brand in the industry now uses as well.

Our newest technology is our PURE TM material. With PURE TM, we’re pushing the boundaries of design, environmental impact and technology. This material is 100% recyclable and degradable and is in line with our aim to reduce our carbon footprint and make our products as eco-friendly as possible. The patented PURE TM material is non-toxic and made by thermoplast (joined by heat, not resin). It is safer than other common materials because it doesn’t shatter/splinter when the PURE TM material breaks. PURE TM is lighter than water, and while the material is stiff, it still has some elasticity. We are very excited about this product innovation which we have created and made available to the market. 

When it comes to harnesses, we use a unique approach. Every model of moulded harness we offer has a different inner plate. For every discipline, we developed a specific shape. The inner plate is the harness, in the sense that it determines shape (not just the C-shape but through 3D shaping), support, flexibility, stiffness and comfort. Essentially, it has the same purpose as a hardshell harness. It carries all the load, is where all webbing is attached, holds shape, function, and at the same time, is supported by a comfortable interior and durable exterior construction. 

Our moulded harnesses are available in five different shapes, each with a unique load profile at the back. Our models not only differ in colour, but more importantly, in shape, height, width, and sides, depending on the inner plate inside. An inner plate can consist of light, medium and max loads, light providing more flexibility and max offering more stiffness. It is essential to check what inner plate is best for your riding style so that your harness connects best with your needs as a rider. You can find the mark, which explains the specific inner plate, on the inside of our harnesses. 

For most users, the moulded harnesses are the ones to choose from. Many parts of our inner plates are as stiff as a hard shell, and we combine the stiffness with comfort and flexibility using multiple dual foam systems, moulded parts and technical materials. We have various models to suit the user’s preference at a friendly price point between £159 and £229, including the spreader bar. 

Our hardback harnesses are based on the same principle as our moulded harnesses. There is added support with the hardback, maintaining the soft sides but giving the extra back support some riders might be looking for. Of course, we have noticed the trend of making harnesses stiffer, but this does not always make a more comfortable experience for the rider. The posture of 99% of riders is not with a hollow back. The full hardshell harnesses are only for a niche group driven by image and willing to accept the hard sides. The various fits and flex of our hardback harnesses suit a wide range of needs at £259, including the spreader bar. 

We are continuing to innovate at Prolimit, and our R&D department has lots of new things in the works. We look forward to sharing our next developments with the kiteboarding industry!

By Crystal Veness
Editor at IKSURFMAG, Crystal Veness hails from Canada but is based in South Africa. When she isn't busy kitesurfing or reporting on the latest industry news for the mag, she is kicking back somewhere at a windy kite beach or working on creative media projects.

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