So I'm looking into buying a belt and harness set up to start training Bode. (I know we shouldn't be pulling hard or anything while he's this young, but I want to just get him familiar with the set up and commands, etc...) Thinking about getting into skijoring. I'm looking at the "Padded Skijoring/Canicross Belt Complete for One Dog (old style)
Padded Skijor/canicross belt. Our old standby, proven, padded, straight lines, not contoured. Comes with padded belt, bungee, panic snap, tugline and snap."

Does this mean it comes with everything needed minus a harness? Thanks in advance!

Also, has anyone ever attempted to 'skijore' with standard downhill skis and 'skate' instead of x-country? I was talking about it with my dad, we're both downhill skiers and never used cross country. He thought that it might work out ok, just being more comfortable with standard downhill. I have no clue how cross country skis work, so I'm not quite sure of the difference. I mean, I get that your toes are attached and heels lift up, but not much more than that. If we get snow this year, I plan on trying x-c regardless, we've got a decent amount of trails in the area.

i Adanac!

yep that set up comes with everything you need but the xback! make sure you get the belt with the leg loop option! i was WAY back in the day a downhill skier and then went to boading and then tried x-country last yr, look up that video on here i picked it up enough to stay up for the most part, only time i struggled was going up hill and had no help from the pups. claudia tried the skate skis and liked it better, its kind of like downhill as your whole foot is connected but the ski is different and you skate on them like you do on downhill skis on flat areas.

Thanks Jen, that's helpful!

Also, is there a sizing key somewhere on their site for the harness? I can't seem to find one.

http://stores.adanacsleds.com/StoreFront.bok
they show how to measure for the custom ones and for sizing. they are good about getting back to you, not sure with xmas if they are in the office or not though.....

Sara, you don't want to use downhill skis for skijoring!
The metal edges can cut your dog's tendons.

You want to use cross-country skis without metal edges.
I use a 20 year old pair that I don't care if I break.
I'd get a shorter pair than you should use for more control.
Don't wax or use MaxiGlide at first, so you get a feel for it.

Lots of cheap pairs are on Craigslist these days.

jalepeno wrote:

Sara, you don't want to use downhill skis for skijoring!
The metal edges can cut your dog's tendons.

You want to use cross-country skis without metal edges.
I use a 20 year old pair that I don't care if I break.
I'd get a shorter pair than you should use for more control.
Don't wax or use MaxiGlide at first, so you get a feel for it.

Lots of cheap pairs are on Craigslist these days.

Thanks, good to know. I wouldn't have thought of that. Like I said, I know very little about the difference between the two.

So we received the belt and harness today! Two questions. First, the loop at the back of the harness is rope in a slip knot type of configuration. The clasp at the end of the towline is just a metal clasp that you would find on the end of a leash. Do I just hook that right to the rope loop? Second, the neck loop seems snug on Bode. We did the measurements and consulted with Adanac on size (the pre made ones, not custom) and they recommended Medium. The head hole goes on ok, but it's a little tough to get off, and it seems snug on him. On the measuring, they say to make sure to measure against the body, not the fur, but Bode is very furry in that area, so I think that's making it snug. Is that how it's supposed to fit or should I return for the next size up?

Also, it sits pretty high on his neck, like where his collar would be. From what I remember seeing on other members photos, that doesn't seem right?

Some pics of the fit.

image by sara.white.2012, on Flickr



image by sara.white.2012, on Flickr


image by sara.white.2012, on Flickr


image by sara.white.2012, on Flickr

Sara, here's a picture of Bodhi in his harness.
The neck is snug and difficult to get off.
You don't want it loose.



I took off the metal clasp on the towline and replaced it with a carabiner.
And I replaced the rope with nylon webbing after I got some rope burns.

Thanks!

Another pic of the back of the harness.

Sara, I have a custom x-back from Alpine and here's a few pics of the fit. Looking at mine it does make Bode's look a little bit on the smaller side.

Agree with Val.
Her pictures are really good examples of fit.

The neck looks OK on yours, but the body looks tight and short.
Val's Dakota is an adult and yours, Sara, is I think, a 7 month old.
He is going to fill out some more.
So maybe go up a size or two.

jalepeno wrote:

Another pic of the back of the harness.

I replaced the end piece of rope with the carabiner hooking directly to the harness. The loop that Alpine supplied on their harness barely lasted one year and darn near broke before I noticed it. Frazzled to the point that maybe 3-4 threads were keeping it from snapping on Biko.

Len, that's why I doubled up on the rope- the single rope that came with the harness frayed.
Tried attaching the 'binder directly to the harness, but it was too big and the hole too small.

Let me know if you ever find a small, locking, load-bearing carabiner.

Thanks for all the info. I emailed Adanac with photos of the fit and how to exchange. It's not as short as it looks in photos though since its not pulled tight.

I also have a carabiner in the loop instead of the rope, then hook the lines to that.
Sara it doed look snug but you also don't want it so big he slips out of it. Custom is the way to go once they stop growing, hell even then ur ot safe, I'm on our 2nd set of xbacks as there bodies have still changed.

jbealer wrote:

I also have a carabiner in the loop instead of the rope, then hook the lines to that.
Sara it doed look snug but you also don't want it so big he slips out of it. Custom is the way to go once they stop growing, hell even then ur ot safe, I'm on our 2nd set of xbacks as there bodies have still changed.

Yeah, if everything goes well I am planning on custom once he's definitely done growing and I can order it in the offseason. It's is just kind of a temporary one so we can take advantage of this winter.

Skate skiing is a little more difficult I think, and your toe is the only part of the boot that is 'locked' in so your heel still lifts up from the ski. The skate ski is a little different from x-country skis. I started to get the hang of it a little after a lesson but still need a lot of practice before I would actually enjoy it while being tethered to a dog. X-country skiing is a little more forgiving starting out, I think. I skied just a few times and going down an incline on x-country skis was hard for me. I think I liked skate skiing more because I was an avid rollerblader, so the motion is similar.

I also agree that the neck part on the harness appears a little small. You want to make sure that the part where the harness comes together is on his chest bone, not above. And the part where the harness comes together on top hits the base of his neck. I also think, looking at your pictures, that the harness is short. I would size up.

When I was looking at x-back harnesses for Storm, I was told that a custom x-back harness should still fit Storm if he lost 10 lbs. So, if Bode is still growing, he may still fit a custom x-back harness for a little while. I can't remember if it was Adanac or Alpine Outfitters that told me this, but I'm sure if you called Adanac, they would be able to help.

Hmm, I still have the original rope on the back of my x-back and it's in perfect condition over 3 years later.

jalepeno wrote:

Len, that's why I doubled up on the rope- the single rope that came with the harness frayed.
Tried attaching the 'binder directly to the harness, but it was too big and the hole too small.

Let me know if you ever find a small, locking, load-bearing carabiner.

Michael, I've just used a simple 1/4" X 2 3/8" long utility carabiner for quite some time and haven't had any problems. I get mine from work but Amazon sells similar ones.

Working load limits- 60mm: 140 lbs/64 kg (1/4")

http://www.amazon.com/Zinc-Galvanized-Steel-Carabiner-Spring-Snap/dp/B0056HALW4/ref=sr_1_8?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1357082366&sr=1-8


They have plenty of others: http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=3402541

Just getting back into it, I purchased a skijor belt from Ultra Paws. It has no leg straps but still stays put once you strap it on. I've found it to be very comfortable, but that's comparing it to what was first used by me back in the late '80s and that had no padding and tugs had no bungee. It's much nicer now for skier and dog. If I had to pick a favorite exercise it would be skijor. A partnership with your dog, a well oiled machine, until she smells something, stops, and you die in a fiery crash trying not to run her over! Naw, it's really fun. In fact I have my sights set on the 2014 Barky Birkie in Hayward Wisconsin, last place may have my name on it.