What gears should a kitesurfer buy first?

[Wind Over Water]

I’m getting more and more addicted to kitesurfing and I’ll like to start buying my own gear. In what order should someone fairly new to kitesurfing purchase? I travel internationally fairly often, and I’ll look to kitesurf wherever I am able to do so. Given I’ll likely kitesurf in very different wind and weather conditions, I prefer to rent the kites and wetsuits locally. Is there a list of common items a kitesurfer should purchase? I was thinking something in the order of:

1. Life / impact vest
2. Harness
3. Helmet
4. Bar
5. Board

Would you more experienced kitesurfers recommend otherwise? And what waist harness would be suitable for a fairly new kitesurfer? I’m flexible on price, but would like something of quality and safety. Thanks!

[NorCalNomad]

1. Wetsuit/helmet
2. Harness
3. Bar/3a. kite
4. Board

The safety stuff you can pick and choose. I don't think an impact vest is really a necessity, certainly a helmet is much more worth it.

Places are more willing to demo boards than they are kites, especially here in the bay area since you're in SF/Sac. No real reason to get a bar without a kite...but if you are stretching $ then bar first since at least you can be more familiar with the safety and trim operations.

[or6]

If you want to rent kites, don't bother buying a bar.

Personally, I would rather rent a board and bring my kites. Kite rentals are becoming more widespread, if that's the word, but are still hard to find. Plus, with some experience you'll find it annoying to have to adjust to a different kite every time (I would).

I'd buy two kites: a seven and a nine, and rent larger kites when needed and possible. Or seven and ten, eight and ten, eight/eleven.... really depends on your weight. You could buy a foil kite, which with time and experience will give you a massive windrange....you could do most of your kiting with one kite, plus they're incredibly easy to pack.

Good question, hard call.

Maybe the best answer would be to ask yourself this question again, when you're a better kiteboarder.

As far as a good harness goes: there are plenty good brands out there. Best is to go and try some on. Good fit is everything.

Welcome to your new life

Or6

[piccio]

one kite with his bar.the size you think will use most.
will be your ,get used to it ...power....speed.....turning.....etc.
it gives you fun or danger so have to know well how to manage and when.
rent other stuff

[grigorib]

So, traveling a lot, renting kites, not a newbie...?

A list for myself would be
1. Mystic Warrior harness
2. Half-finger gloves
3. Short John wetsuit
4. Long sleeve 2mm shortie
5. Really flexible 4/3mm full wetsuit
6. NP or Dakine impact vest
7. Xcel reef shoes or Swiss socks
8. O’Neill ninja split toe 3mm booties
9. JetScream micro whistle

Above are kind of personal items I wouldn’t want to ride used. A harness and life vest are less personal but I have strong model preference.

For the gear it’d suck not to be able to find adequate gear at rental. I really value my
1. Carbon foil setup
2. Cabrinha 1x Trimlite bar
3. Carbon TT, XL door
4. Rallys and Turbines

You get used to great setup but rental would do ....

[knotwindy]

Harness & wetsuit
Get a good fitting harness for sure, wetsuit fit is not as important unless you swim a lot but still a good idea
Kite and board you can rent and are more trouble to travel with. Wait on the bat to go with the two kites you end up with. Meantime try lots of kites and boards to see what you really like.