Harness pads

How much am i going to hate myself if i don't spring the extra $50 for sewn-in shoulder pads?

I ran a set for half a season but found them to be more hassle than they're worth. I always cinched my belts down until they were uncomfortable and never noticed them once the green dropped.

I ran without pads on my last harness for a few months and it didn't bother me, but maybe i just don't know what i'm missing?

No pads on my harnesses, and I haven't missed them. I do have the 3" belts, though, and on track I use them with a HANS which has its own padding

codrus wrote: No pads on my harnesses, and I haven't missed them. I do have the 3" belts, though, and on track I use them with a HANS which has its own padding

3" is the plan.

Thanks for the input! (You too, CarRacer.)

If you run a radio, I found the cord coming from your helmet got caught on the pads and could get jerked from your ears when you turn your head. Turns out race cars are pretty loud, who knew.

I'm not that hardcore with this thing yet. Think more HPDEs, less actual competition.

I've never had them in any of my cars. Never noticed any discomfort even with 1.5 hour stints.

Keep in mind a 3" harness isn't HANS friendly.

I used them once found that it was harder to see the buckle and when belts are pulled tight they squished to nothing so why bother?

We've never used them in Chump and I've always just used a 2" expired HANS harness for rallycross. Neither has ever been uncomfortable. I used to have pads for a harness that I used for autocross, but eventually I took them off. A hassle and no additional comfort.

I wonder if regular velcro-closing seatbelt pads are available in nomex...

I've used them for cord containment - put the intercom cord and the camelbak under the shoulder pad and they don't run around. Definitely makes things more comfortable when running without a HANS. With a HANS, no pads.

Swank Force One wrote: I'm not that hardcore with this thing yet. Think more HPDEs, less actual competition.

a H&N restraint is STILL a good idea

DaveEstey wrote: Keep in mind a 3" harness isn't HANS friendly.

What's the issue with 3 harness and HANS?

And is it HANS-specific, or do the other head and neck restraints have the same issue?

Getting ready to order new harness, but undecided on which H&N restrain't I'm getting.

"

grafmiata wrote:

DaveEstey wrote: Keep in mind a 3" harness isn't HANS friendly.

What's the issue with 3" harness and HANS? And is it HANS-specific, or do the other head and neck restraints have the same issue? Getting ready to order new harness, but undecided on which H&N restrain't I'm getting.

The 3" belts are wider than the HANS belt guides. That said, I have 3" belts and they do work with the HANS, they're just a bit more fiddly.

And yes, I use my HANS at track days. I also use all my nomex there, too.

what codrus said …

the only 2 H&N restraints that are affected are the HANS and NexGen … but it's just a bit of a hassle is all …

Thanx guys, thread-jack over.

The Manic Miata came with velcro-wrap shoulder pads on 3" harnesses. After they gave up the ghost I just threw them away and didn't notice any change in comfort level.

To the extent that you don't tighten your belts as much because you're using pads, you're introducing more slack into your belts. Slack in belts is dangerous.

codrus wrote:

grafmiata wrote:

DaveEstey wrote: Keep in mind a 3" harness isn't HANS friendly.

What's the issue with 3" harness and HANS? And is it HANS-specific, or do the other head and neck restraints have the same issue? Getting ready to order new harness, but undecided on which H&N restrain't I'm getting.

The 3" belts are wider than the HANS belt guides. That said, I have 3" belts and they do work with the HANS, they're just a bit more fiddly. And yes, I use my HANS at track days. I also use all my nomex there, too.

I think it's important to point out, per HANS themselves, 3" belts are fine and do not cause any detrimental performance of the system. That said, I agree 3" belts are more fiddly as you say.

Finally ordering harnesses.

Looking at these guys, going in a Miata. http://shop.racequip.com/c/camlock-harness-sets_fia-camlock?action_type=switch_product&selected_cat_keys=1039546.1073321.0.0.0&selected_product=87034ac7101ac2d2d0616601023550fb&redirected_post=1

6pt, looks like all 6 points are bolt in.

Issue/ignorance/concern: I have a harness bar, last harness was wrap-around shoulder belts. I'd like that again. Do i need to buy something else to do that? Or will these work? Or do i need to buy add-on for this harness to do that?

Snap-in vs. Bolt-in, in a Miata specifically. Which do i want?

One thing I forgot to mention about seatbelt pads:

Cloth ones will smell after a while and need washing, vinyl ones don't seem to have this problem. And if you get sewn-in cloth pads, it will smell like you're strapped in with old gym socks pretty fast and there will be nothing you can do about it. So don't get sewn-in pads.

GameboyRMH wrote: One thing I forgot to mention about seatbelt pads: Cloth ones will smell after a while and need washing, vinyl ones don't seem to have this problem. And if you get sewn-in cloth pads, it will smell like you're strapped in with old gym socks pretty fast and there will be nothing you can do about it. So don't get sewn-in pads.

Yeah i considered that, since i'm removing a/c and power steering from this car, and it has a black on black on black on black interior. It's gonna get warm in there and i'll probably make a sewn-in sponge stink eventually.

I'm not gonna do pads.