Men's outdoor shoes or hiking boots: what's the difference?

Our men's outdoor footwear includes shoes and boots for hiking, trail, mountaineering and winter conditions. Hiking footwear is one part of that range, designed for walking on trails, from low-cut shoes to high-cut boots. If you walk rather than run or use crampons, go straight to our men's hiking footwear.

What footwear should I wear for walking in the rain?

Choose footwear with a waterproof membrane. At Cimalp, the 365 X-HIKING H, 365 X-TREK H, TOUET H WPF, BALME H and BERARDE 2 H feature an Ultrashell membrane. In prolonged rain, a mid- or high-cut upper helps limit water getting in over the top.

What size should I choose for Cimalp outdoor shoes?

Follow the sizing advice on each product page. The 365 X-HIKING H and 365 X-TREK H run small: choose one size up. If you’re between sizes, choose the larger size for the BERARDE 2 H and the smaller size for the TOUET H and X-TRAIL H, which run slightly large. Choose your usual size for the BALME H and X-RACE.

How do I waterproof outdoor footwear?

After removing the mud, treat the footwear while it is still damp. The water-based Nikwax waterproofing treatments in the range can be applied directly to damp footwear: the spray is suitable for footwear combining leather and fabric, while the wax is for smooth leather.

Men's outdoor shoes

Men’s outdoor shoes for hiking, trail, mountaineering and snow: Cimalp models with Vibram soles, with or without an Ultrashell membrane, plus a selection from our partner brands.

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The best Men's outdoor shoes for enjoying the mountains

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Men’s outdoor footwear: start with your activity

A 270 g trail shoe and a 580 g high-cut trekking boot call for different criteria. Start by the terrain and pace of your outing, then compare the models. Our men’s footwear is all here, from hiking to mountaineering and winter use, along with waterproofing treatments to care for it. On trails, check the upper height and membrane first; for running, weight and drop; in the high mountains, compatibility with a lug; and on snow, insulation and the sole.

Day hiking: 365 X-HIKING, 365 X-TREK or TOUET

The textile 365 X-HIKING H has a low-cut upper and weighs 370 g in size 42; the 365 X-TREK H has a mid-cut upper and weighs 420 g. In laboratory tests, their RipStop uppers withstood 8.7 kg of tear force and 300,000 flex cycles. Their Ultrashell membrane makes them waterproof. Both run small: go one size up.

Made from 1.4–1.6 mm thick leather, the TOUET H weighs 370 g; the TOUET H WPF adds an Ultrashell membrane and weighs 390 g. Choose the version without a membrane for dry conditions, the WPF if rain is possible. Its insole can be removed to make room for an orthotic insert. The TOUET runs slightly large: if you’re between sizes, choose the smaller one. Compare upper heights and materials in our men’s hiking footwear.

Rugged terrain and trekking: BALME H and BERARDE 2 H

On rocky trails or steep sections, choose more support. The BALME H weighs 530 g in size 42 and has a leather and textile upper, a self-locking lace hook and a Vibram sole with 4–10 mm lugs, plus a grip zone at the toe for vertical sections. For demanding treks, step up to the BERARDE 2 H : the same sole and a high-cut upper that stabilises your footing on side slopes, at 580 g. Both have an Ultrashell membrane. Choose your usual size for the BALME; the BERARDE runs slightly small, so size up if you’re between sizes.

Trail and fast hiking: X-TRAIL H and X-RACE under 300 g

For trail running or covering miles at a fast walking pace, keep weight down. The X-TRAIL H weighs 290 g in size 42, with a 6 mm drop and a Vibram XS-TREK sole with 4 mm lugs that shed mud on descents. The X-RACE weighs 270 g, with a 4 mm drop and a Vibram MegaGrip sole with 4.5 mm lugs that provide grip on both dry and wet ground. The X-TRAIL runs slightly large : if you’re between sizes, choose the smaller one. Choose your usual size for the X-RACE. Find both in our men’s trail running shoes.

Mountaineering and winter: what to check in the product details

For routes requiring crampons or walks on snow, choose from our partner brands’ models. On a glacier or ridge traverse, the boot must be compatible with a lug ; if your route stays on a trail, even a steep one, the BERARDE 2 H is enough. On packed snow or icy paths, the sole and insulation matter more than weight. Before choosing, check: