Spreader Bars
Kite Spreader Bars | A Guide
Kiteboarding spreader bars are crucial pieces of equipment that connect your harness to your kite control bar, helping you ride comfortably and safely. Whether you're into freeride, big air, freestyle, foiling or surfing waves, there's a perfect spreader bar for your style. The two main systems that dominate the market are fixed hook bars, which are great for beginners and freestyle riders who unhook, and sliding rope systems that give wave riders and foilers more freedom to move around.
Top brands like Ride Engine, Mystic, Dakine, Ion, and AK Durable Supply all make high-quality spreader bars in different sizes to fit your body and riding style. Each brand brings something special to the table - for example, Ride Engine's Unity Mega bar comes with a comfy molded pad and easy adjustments, while Mystic offers specialized bars for freeride, freestyle and surf. AK Supply, have a the AK Carbon Aerobar super lightweight carbon molded hook whereas Dakine has the Kite Connect bar which has a metal injection unwelded molded hook to prevent welding failures.
The size of your spreader bar is super important too - they typically range from 8 to 14 inches (or 22 to 32 centimeters), and getting the right size means you'll have a much better time out on the water. It needs to be compatible with your harness size, always check manufacturer sizing guides to ensure compatibility between your harness and spreader bar.