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.