Kāohi Padded Black Belt™ Waist Belt

The Kāohi Padded Black Belt™ Waist Belt is a neoprene-padded waist attachment system built for wing foiling, SUP foiling, and SUP surfing. Made by Kāohi — a brand designed in Encinitas, California, whose name translates to "control" in Hawaiian — the belt provides a secure and comfortable connection point for board and wing leashes at the waist rather than at the ankle or calf. The current version sold through most retailers is the V2 iteration of the original Black Belt design.

The belt uses heavy-duty 1.5-inch nylon webbing paired with neoprene padding and adjustable hook-and-loop closures for a snug, customizable fit. Medium and Large sizes include both nylon loops and stainless steel D-rings for attaching leashes or other gear, while the Small and XL sizes currently feature loops only. Kāohi emphasizes that the belt contains no hard or rigid plastic components, keeping it flexible against the body during active riding. It is important to note that this is not a quick-release belt — riders who require a quick-release safety mechanism should look elsewhere.

• Construction: Neoprene padding with 1.5" x 48" heavy-duty nylon webbing
• Closure: Adjustable hook-and-loop fasteners
• Attachment points: Multiple nylon loops + stainless steel D-rings (M and L); loops only (S and XL)
• Available sizes: Small 24–29" (60–75 cm), Medium 30–33" (76–86 cm), Large 34–39" (87–101 cm), XL 40–44" (102–112 cm)
• Rigid components: None

The Padded Black Belt is aimed at wing foilers and SUP riders of any skill level who prefer a waist-mounted leash setup over a traditional ankle or calf cuff. Attaching leashes at the waist keeps lines clear of the foil and out of the water during flight, which is a practical concern for anyone riding a hydrofoil. The belt suits flat-water cruising, open-ocean downwind runs, and everyday freeride sessions where a secure but non-intrusive leash connection is needed.

Because it lacks a quick-release mechanism, the belt is best suited for riders in conditions where entanglement risk is low and where a quick-release harness hook is not mandated by local safety guidelines. Riders in surf zones with significant hold-down potential or heavy current should evaluate whether a quick-release option better fits their risk profile.

Within Kāohi's own product range, the Padded Black Belt sits alongside dedicated leash products like the Grip Leash Double Coil (a coiled board leash with a patented rail-saver handle) and the INVIZ Hybrid Leash (a polyurethane coil and bungee combination aimed at downwind foiling). The belt is sold separately so riders can pair it with whichever Kāohi leash — or third-party leash — matches their discipline. Kāohi also offers combo packages that bundle the belt with a Double Coil leash at a slight discount.

In the broader market, the Padded Black Belt competes with waist leash belts from brands like Dakine and Ocean Rodeo. Its distinguishing traits are the all-soft, no-plastic build and the use of both D-rings and fabric loops as attachment points, giving riders flexibility in how they route their leashes.