Ion Handle Pass Leash Webbing 2.0 | Kitesurfing Safety Leash

The ION Handle Pass Leash Webbing 2.0 is the freestyle-oriented kite leash — longer, softer and with enough stretch to give unhooked riders the range they need for handle pass tricks without the leash becoming a hazard. It stretches from 100cm resting to 160cm at full extension. Find it alongside the full kite bars and lines and kitesurfing safety gear at Northern Watersports.

Who It's For

Freestyle kitesurfers who unhook for tricks — particularly riders working on handle passes, where the bar needs to travel away from the harness during aerial manoeuvres. The extended length and elastic webbing give the bar enough range to complete the pass without the leash going taut at the critical moment. Not the right choice for beginners or hooked-only riders — if you don't unhook, the Short Webbing Leash is more appropriate.

What Is a Handle Pass?

A handle pass is a freestyle trick where the rider passes the kite bar from one hand to the other behind the back during an unhooked aerial. The leash needs to be long enough to accommodate the bar's full travel range during the trick without prematurely engaging the safety system.

Key Features

• 100cm Resting / 160cm Fully Stretched — enough range for unhooked aerial manoeuvres
• Elastic Webbing Construction — soft and stretchable, reduces snatch loads during tricks rather than going rigid
• Stainless Steel Swivel Carabiner — corrosion-resistant, prevents twisting over multiple sessions
• Neoprene Carabiner Cover — protects hardware and prevents abrasion against wetsuit or harness
• Quick-Release Mechanism — one-hand release for emergency disconnection
• 80% Nylon / 10% Polyurethane / 10% Stainless Steel

Real-World Feel

The elastic stretch is the key difference versus a fixed-length leash — instead of a hard snap when the bar reaches the leash limit during a trick, the elasticity absorbs movement and gives you a moment to complete or recover. The webbing is soft enough not to tangle around legs during dynamic tricks. The swivel carabiner prevents the line spiralling over sessions.

Setup / Fit

Clip the carabiner to your harness leash attachment point. The free end connects to your bar's safety system. The 100–160cm extended range suits most freestyle setups. One size.

Materials

80% Nylon, 10% Polyurethane, 10% Stainless Steel. Resting length: 100cm. Full extension: 160cm. Carabiner: Stainless steel with swivel. Cover: Neoprene. Release: One-hand quick-release.

Pairs Well With

• Kite bars — the Handle Pass Leash is part of your full freestyle bar setup
• Kitesurf harnesses — pair with a waist harness for unhooked freestyle riding

Why We Stock It

Riders progressing into unhooked tricks need a leash built for that riding style. The Webbing 2.0 design is a well-established solution with the right elastic range and hardware spec to support freestyle riding without creating a safety compromise. If you're starting to unhook, this is the leash to move to.

FAQs

What's the difference between a handle pass leash and a short webbing leash?

The Handle Pass Leash is longer (100–160cm stretched) and designed for unhooked freestyle riding. The Short Webbing Leash (55cm) is for hooked riding. Using a short leash for unhooked tricks restricts bar travel and can engage the safety system prematurely during a trick.

Do I need a special leash for handle passes?

Yes — the longer reach gives the bar room to travel during the trick without the leash going taut. Attempting handle passes with a short leash causes the leash to interfere at the critical moment of the pass.

Is the ION Handle Pass Leash suitable for beginners?

It's designed for riders progressing into unhooked freestyle. Beginners and intermediate hooked riders should use the Short Webbing Leash. The HP leash is for the unhooked riding style specifically.

How does the quick-release work on this leash?

One-hand operation — pull or push the carabiner release to disconnect from the kite's safety system. Practise the motion on land before your first unhooked session.

Will the elastic webbing degrade over time?

The elasticity reduces with UV exposure and heavy use over time. Inspect annually for loss of stretch, stiffness or fraying. Replace if the elastic no longer returns to resting length or shows visible degradation.

Sources: ion-products.com product page (48210-7067), H2O Sports UK, SkatePro, Kiteworldshop product listings.