Kite Lab: Rossignol Harness PT Pant
Overview
Occasionally we come across a truly innovative product that adds a new dimension to snowkiting. The new Rossignol Harness PT Pant blends a great ski pant with a climbing harness resulting in a comfortable kiting pant that adds a backup security system for kiters that are pushing the limits and going huge in snowkiting!
Details
The latest thing in music are mashups combining two or more unrelated songs into a new song often with amazing success. Following closely in that spirit is a new pair of winter pants from Rossignol, a ski company that celebrated its 100th birthday two seasons ago. Either in spite of its age or because of all the experience it has amassed over the last century, Rossi is on the cutting edge with the Harness PT Pants.
Constructed out of incredibly comfortable R Storm outer shell and a Thinsulate insulation, these pants are comfortable enough to wear out for drinks after a session, but durable enough to take on whatever the best snowkiting conditions can hurl at you. Like a wetsuit, the Harness PT pants feature fully taped seams ensuring that the wind, snow and water stay on the outside and you stay warm. Built with a suite of nice details including cargo pockets and venting on the inner thigh, the Harness PT pant is a very capable winter pant.
And it has an integrated climbing harness! Built into the waistband and within the internal construction of the pant are a highly technical climbing harness with leg loops. This harness was designed by Cilao and meets with all the most stringent certifications for climbing equipment. Fully capable for long rappels, roped traverses of crevassed glaciers, or as the perfect backup while soaring with your snowkite. This unique feature takes these otherwise good pants to a new realm of safety and comfort.
Some kiters may choose to use the integrated harness as their only harness for cruising, but we found the harness uncomfortable under the extended pressure kiting places on a harness. In its current incarnation, the integrated harness in the Rossignol Harness PT pants is best used as a backup instead of the typical climbing harness advanced snowkiters use to backup their waist harness when soaring and pulling off big, hooked-in tricks. The harness is also a great backup for backcountry kiters who have suffered a primary harness failure and had to hike out for lack of a harness. To become the primary harness, it would need beefier waist and leg loops that offered more support for long term sessions.
The harness waistband is constructed of comfortable twill fabric liner and a webbing and mesh backing making a comfortable yet strong harness band. It doesn’t have the same stiff feel that a typical climbing harness does and it is much nicer on the skin. The construction of the harness adds a thin band of fabric that connects the waistband of the harness and the inside of the pants. Designed to prevent the climbing harness from getting twisted, it also serves as a powder gaiter for your waist and helps make these pants a great defense from the wind that pounds snowkiters’ backs. With the leg loops integrated and hidden within the construction of the pants, you don’t have to worry about the typical twisting and rat’s nest that my climbing harness always ties itself into.
Built with an adjustable pant waistband and a snap and zip front closure, the waist of the pants provides a low profile without a bunch of junk underneath your waist or seat harness. The back pockets and the cargo pocket all feature top flaps to help keep snow out and the front pockets are both zipped with a nice trim detail that helps keep the pocket closed and free of snow while keeping your belongings inside. The cargo pocket has the added security of a zipper and is large enough to stuff some energy bars, a hat and a radio in for safety, comfort and when you get hungry.
The leg of the pants feature a relaxed fit, but without the ghetto look that some snowboard pants have. Not one to let any detail escape their design, Rossi has hemmed the bottom of the pant leg with piece of black trim that is cut so that the back of the leg is a little shorter than the front protecting the pants from getting walked on and making sure they are reinforced from the abuse that pant legs are subjected to. Inside the pant leg is an effective powder gaiter with a tough elastic bottom and snap closure, a lace hook and a velcro closure so the gaiters go on over even the burliest of boots.
Specs
Manufacturer: Rossignol
Model: Harness PT Pant
Color: Charcoal
Size: XS – S – M – L – XL – XXL – XXXL (we tested the L which felt true to size)
Fabric Weight: 150g/m²
Fabric Content: 100% Polyester (Waterproof and Breathable)
Fabric Finish: Membrane 2L
Online Info: Rossignol Harness PT Pant
MSRP: $295.00USD
Buy Now: Rossignol Harness PT Pant
Ratings
Durability Rating: 
These pants are made to last. All the materials they are constructed of are top quality and should last years of hard use. The twill fabric itself is comfortable, but may have a tendency to take abuse from velcro and other abrasive surfaces after a while.
Function Rating:
This product adds a whole new level of functionality to winter pants with the incorporation of a climbing harness. Although this feature is probably overkill for most skiers, it is a very useful feature for snowkiters that make these pants “must-have” for snowkiters pushing the envelope. With slightly more comfortable leg loops, these pants could replace a harness for a snowkiter looking for a minimalist approach.
Quality Rating:
Every detail in the Rossignol Harness PT pants was examined and designed making a product of the highest quality.
Appearance Rating:
A great looking pant, since it is currently only available in one color, Charcoal, when everyone starts wearing them, it would be nice to have another choice. At least they aren’t the usual black!
Packaging/Environmental Responsibility Rating: 
A well built product constructed from durable materials ensures a long life and counters the disposable lifestyle that so many companies have embraced is good environmentalism. Because Rossignol doesn’t have a strong environmental stance, I docked them a rating point.
Overall Overall Rating:
Conclusion
The Harness PT pant is a fine example of an innovative product that was developed for a different purpose, but excels in the world of snowkiting. Well-built from great materials and with a comfortable harness, this pant will protect you from the elements as well as protect a kiter from a fall if their primary harness fails. This effective and efficient combination adds a level of safety and comfort to snowkiting that will have a big impact on the sport and will hopefully inspire a new series of clothing and equipment mashups!
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