The Supernaut pants are aimed squarely at big mountain freeride and those that need ultimate protection. Gore Tex Pro, as always, offers the best balance between durable weatherproofing and weight, full-length side zips provide great ventilation on climbs, and the half-bib gives a nice overlap between jacket and pants to keep out the powder.
In use the first noticeable quality of the Supernaut is the comfort. The Gore Tex Pro used here is softer than some versions, but it's the fit that really impresses; baggy enough to be comfortable and unrestrictive, and fitted enough to be practical in tricky terrain. I scrambled to the summit of a Tyrolean peak in these pants - very aware of the absence of crampons - and the pants never threatened to snag on the rocks.
The vents were also utilised heavily on that ski mountaineering trip - the material itself was breathable enough when the snow was falling, but when the sun came out, the venting did its job admirably.
One bugbear is the pocket configuration. The right 'handwarmer' pocket is positioned such that anything stored there rests right on the join of the hip, so that when bending to absorb a landing for example, you don't want anything bulky in there! Luckily the cargo pockets are big enough to make up for that, and the dedicated transceiver pocket is a great addition.
The price may immediately turn some people off, but it isn't out of step with pants from the more well-known premium brands, and the Supernaut more than holds its own against other high-end freeride offerings.
