ION B2 2018 shorts sizing help!

[Wind Runner]

Hi, I have the Dakine harness shorts and use large shorts with 2018 8" small rope spreader. If I had wider spreader it would be too big.
That Ion spreader looks like it has same spreader attachment as 2017 Dakine spreader. ( 2018 they redesigned it...) 2017 is total bad design and will fail on Dakine. Be aware that the detachable side of the spreader needs to be very secure,

TomW... that's my situation... I bought the 10" Option slider spreader for my size 32" shorts (my hook bar is 10" too). The 10" slider is too wide from connection point to connection point. I posted elsewhere here about it not too long ago. I have to tighten the 'clip' side as tight as it will go to keep the bar close enough to my body to not be an annoyance. Even like that it's almost too big. Had I know this ahead of time I would have bought the 8". If anyone wants to trade the 8" for the 10" let me know.

[TomW]

Hi, I have the Dakine harness shorts and use large shorts with 2018 8" small rope spreader. If I had wider spreader it would be too big.
That Ion spreader looks like it has same spreader attachment as 2017 Dakine spreader. ( 2018 they redesigned it...) 2017 is total bad design and will fail on Dakine. Be aware that the detachable side of the spreader needs to be very secure,

TomW... that's my situation... I bought the 10" Option slider spreader for my size 32" shorts (my hook bar is 10" too). The 10" slider is too wide from connection point to connection point. I posted elsewhere here about it not too long ago. I have to tighten the 'clip' side as tight as it will go to keep the bar close enough to my body to not be an annoyance. Even like that it's almost too big. Had I know this ahead of time I would have bought the 8". If anyone wants to trade the 8" for the 10" let me know.

Yes, thanks for that posting, that's why I bought the narrow one! I'm finally happy with this setup for foiling. Took me 2 years to get it sorted.
Added advantage is board short harness is very compact and light for travelling.

[sergei Scotland]

Hi, update - if anyone interested - note that I only tried shorts on - did not do any
surfing.

I ended up buying Dakine Nitrous HD shorts with label saying 36 inch (but marked as XL on powerkiteshop site - which is pretty much correct - I'd say they would fit very well sizes 35-37)

In short:
I am normally size 38 trousers (96 cm=38 inch waist with a little pull on measuring tape).
I am also 188 cm and 94 kg - some belly.

1)ION B2 XL (marked as 38 inch, i.e. 35-38 or 35 -37 some sites say, 2018 model I think):
shorts waist (thin material, zip)- perfect fit if a very little bit loose for me (by 0.5 inch may be but stay on without belt tensioned);
Spreader bar - very long long (measured from end of the metal hook to the end of the plastic attachment bit - i.e. max length - it is 35 cm = 13.5 inches).

Leg straps - too long for me as I have thin legs - 23 inch = 59 cm around where the strap would be.

How come leg straps can actually be too long?
They have a bit of leather (about 3/4-1 inch wide) stitched inside shorts to the top bit of leg strapping neopren padding inside shorts -
so when I try to tighten it leather bit starts pooling the shorts material up where the wedgie goes through material to get to the tightening clip.

I am sure I could have used this harness as it is though (looking untidy with the leg straps lifting shorts material up), but there is probably no way my son (who is waist 36) would be able to use it - spreader bar too long.

Bum wise (shape) - too big for me. As you guessed I have virtually no bum (bum!). Th insides of the harness felt 2 sizes bigger than I needed. This is also why leg straps were too long...
Also as someone said on this thread - one should probably never try to thread leg wedgies through the rings on the spreader bar (it is possible by design) - unless you are a woman that is.
For obvious reasons - your strap will go up almost vertically so padding pulling why being practically horizontal - right on top of your jewels I think.

Returning it - mainly because my legs are too thin and no bum. Generally felt comfortable though.

2) ION B2 L (marked as 34-36 mainly) - was way too short for me in the waist (had about 2 inches gap trying to close velcro zip).
I only bought it as was hoping that because XL was quit big in the waist - L might just be big enough for me (size 38 or 37.5 may be).
Spreader bar - much shorter then XL one. More possibilities for tightening it obviously.
Short size inside - would be basically almost perfect for me - but waits is 1.5-2 inch shorter than I need.
I know I am 38 - but see above...
Returning it as too small.

3)Bought size 36 Dakine Nitrious HD shorts (probably 2018, 10001844).
Guys in Powerkiteshop.com were actually right suggesting that those (marked 36) shorts should be called XL.
I am XL (size 38 - may be 37.5) and those are perfect fit withut wetsuit for me.
With a 2 mm summer wetsuit they are a bit small - so I plan to kitesurf with zip half closed.
There is small waist 3/4 inch wide strap/wedgie which when tightened might allow me to close zip while wearing summer wet suit.
So those 36 inch are almost as big as ION B2 38 inch in the shorts waist (slighlty smaller - so 37 is actual size I'd say).
No issues with tightening leg straps (they do not have the leather bits as ION B2 - see above).
Padding on leg straps actually feels a bit too thick now - as shorts are new. I think they will get slightly thinner with user and feel perfect. A little thickness feels like straps want more space between my jewels and inside of my legs to fit - but this feeling goes away when I have wetsuit on.
General harness itself - fits me really well - my correct size. Note I have very little bum and thin 23 inch legs.
For someone with thick/fatty legs this might be a bit small - I'd say ION B2 would be better (but size 38 as 36 is real 36 shorts waist).
As I will probably be sharing this harness with my sons (one is 34 inch and other is 36 inch) at least it whoulc be good for 36 inch - may be 34 inch too - son is not here to try it on.

Spreader bar: says 10 inch on it.Longest measurement is 29 cm/11 inch (from hook end to plastic attachment bit end). Which is 6 cm less than one on ION B2 size XL (this was my 1st attempt).
So there is plenty room for tightening the bar.

Conclusion - so far I think that for my type of build (waist 38, 94 kg, 188cm, no bum, 23 inch - thinnish- legs) - Dakine Nitrous HD wrks much better - just becasue ION B2 seems to be designed for people with bigger bums and thicker legs).
As for long sessions comfort - will report in a month may be

Ok thats it folks, Hope it will help someone sometime.

[joedy]

Thanks for the great write up, Sergei.

[pb]

guys, i'm eyeing Ion B2 2021, but can't find reviews anywhere online.

can you help me with sizing, assuming 2021. model has same sizing as 2018. model
i am 194 cm tall, (6.3 ft)
73kg (161 lbs)
waist 80 cm (31 inch)
hips 90 cm (35 inch)

this is size guide for Ion B2 2021 from ion official site:
SIZE: | WAIST:
XS/46 | 66-76 cm (26''-29'')
S/48 | 74-84 cm (28''-32'')
M/50 | 82-92 cm (31''-34'')
L/52 | 90-100 cm (33''-36'')
XL/54 | 98-108 cm (35''-39'')
XXL/56 | 106-116 cm (38''-41'')

[martrench]

I'm 5' 7" and 160 pounds with 32" waist. I purchased the Medium 2021 Ion B2 shorts. They are a bit big for me - next time I'll size down to the Small. Very comfortable short harness. I only get some rubbing issues/irritation with the leg straps after really long twintip sessions.

[Steve271]

I’m 5’8” 150 lbs, 32” waist and have medium B2.
Works great for me here in the Midwest, because I always have a wetsuit of 2-5mm depending on season.
Plus I have a Ride Engine Impact vest, which adds a little too.
When I head further south and just ride in shorts & impact vest I do end up cinching them all the way in, but they don’t ride up because of the leg straps.
It sound like your waist is a little slimmer, so I would say it depends on how much rubber / vest you will wear.
If you have neither, I suspect Small will work.

[pb]

guys, my ION B2 2021, size M just arrived.
fits fine.

my specs are 2 posts up.