I use the Best HP leash... haven't had any problems pulling in the kite after throwing the bar, it's not hard on the hands... never accidentally released, the tube is tight on the mechanism... but I still make it a point to check it now and then when I am riding just in case.

Also, it's short so it doesn't get wrapped around your legs, but it stretches out pretty good too.

Only problem I have found with it is that the inside locking edges of the gate hooks are sharp. A few seconds with a file removes that problem.