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ION’s premium hardshell harness offering has had a decent refresh for 2026 and as usual is crammed with high-end features. The test harness was presented to us in the black colorway, which is full futuristic Darth Vader aesthetically. On the ION flex scale, it sits at a more robust level 14, so if your riding style leans into Big Air or you just prefer a stiffer harness, this is the one for you.
Closure is handled initially by a robust elasticated Velcro waist belt. Hidden in a pocket here is an emergency line knife accessible underneath, with a Torx tool built into it for disassembling the spreader if you’d like to remove the hook (which bolts into the top of the spreader) and swap to the optional sliding wave setup for instance. Adjustment is handled by twin webbing straps, which have a ribbed texture. A sprung clip allows accurate adjustment by simply pushing down in the right place to release the webbing. Once set, the webbing tucks neatly rearward in an elasticated pocket. A sturdy D ring sits on the webbing as a forward facing leash point and can be moved onto the left or right hand side of the harness as required, and a PU-covered handlepass leash also sits across the rear of the hardshell for those still freestyle focused, covering all bases.
The carbon-infused Spectre 2 Bar system has twin-lever clips each end (for lefties as well as righties) and provides probably the easiest entry and exit on the market; once the size is set, the lever closure is such that you can just whack it across your waist and clip it on. They engage with a very satisfying click, and the arm aperture is simple enough to get a finger underneath and open with cold hands. The Spectre flaps extend a long way rearwards into the harness on both sides and provide a very locked in feeling, helping eliminate any bar lift. They are also removable with two Torx bolts if required.
An interchangeable rear pad system is a genius addition and allows you to choose between two levels of lumbar support by simply sliding in a different grade of EVA pad, which is provided as standard. Swapping it takes a couple of minutes, and we found the slightly thicker one the most comfortable. The back plate is quite tall, distributing load evenly and comfortably across your back, and the reinforced plate sections extend round your sides more than most harnesses, again enhancing that locked in feeling. Internally the EVA pads grip well onto wetsuit material, minimizing any potential riding up.
One of the most supportive, lightweight, locked-in and convenient-to-install harnesses we’ve tested for a while, the Riot Curv is a highly competitive product and at a sensible price point.
