The Best Leash Setup Hack You're Not Using | PKS Quick Connect Pigtail Set

Jeff wants to make sure everyone's in the loop about a small but mighty product that will make your life easier on and off the water, especially if you're a winger. The name is a mouthful for its size: PKS Quick Connect Pigtail with Stopper Ball. You get four of them in the pack, and that's a good thing because you'll find so many ways to use them.

What's a Lark's Head Loop?

Before you can use these, you'll need to be familiar with making a lark's head loop. While it's not as exciting as a kiteloop, it's still pretty important. In 1981 MACkite started out selling stunt kites, which use lark's head loops to attach the flying lines to the kite and wrist straps, so these are second-nature to us. (Our webmaster even said "yes" when her kiteflying boyfriend put a lark's head-styled ring on her finger! Its design is exactly like the Quick Connect Pigtail if you picture the diamond as a stopper ball.) Thankfully, you won't need Eagle Scout-level knot skills to make one. Simply pull a string through a loop in its end to make an adjustable loop that's secure when tightened, yet easy to release.

How Can I Use the Quick Connect Pigtails?

1. Attach your wrist leash to your wing

While there's already a perfectly serviceable pigtail on the leading edge of your wing, the stopper ball adds an extra layer of security. Thread the Quick Connect Pigtail through the loop of the pigtail on your wing. Pass the stopper ball through its loop at the end of the Quick Connect Pigtail. Tighten the connection — it won't come off until you want it to.

Now you've got a large stopper ball to secure your leash against, rather than a small knot. Use the fixed loop at the end of your leash to make an adjustable lark's head loop. Put the loop onto the Quick Connect Pigtail just below the stopper ball. Tighten it up, slide it up against the stopper ball.

There you have it! A nice, secure connection that you can still take off in seconds if you need to swap wings.

2. Attach your leash to your harness

Many harnesses have a short pigtail built in for attaching a leash and it works fine, but you can slide a Quick Connect Pigtail through it to not only take advantage of the more secure stopper ball, but also to extend it enough to where you can reach your leash connection while you're wearing the harness.

If your harness doesn't have a pigtail for a leash, then the Quick Connect Pigtails are even more useful. You can attach one to just about any part of the harness, and then you can lark's head your leash onto that without using a heavy carabiner.

3. Attach your leash to your board

Sometimes the leash attachment point on a board is a little tight for your leash, but the loop end of the Quick Connect Pigtail slides right through. Now you've got a frustration-free spot to connect your leash.

Where Else Can I Use the Quick Connect Pigtails?

Of course, these aren't just for winging. You can use them anywhere you need to attach a loop to something, on or off the water. They're lightweight and they don't rust, and you can remove them easily. They also make a handy zipper pull you can use with gloves on, whether that's your wetsuit, parka, or backpack. You may just want to pick up an extra pack, because once you have them, you'll start finding uses for them everywhere!

Shop Quick Connect Pigtails

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