Which men’s insulated jacket is the warmest?

In the men’s range, the BALTORO and HIMALAYAN provide the most warmth. The BALTORO uses 800 cuin natural down, packs down into the bottom of your rucksack and blocks strong winds. The HIMALAYAN uses Cimaloft synthetic insulation and weighs over a kilo; it retains warmth in damp conditions, whether on a bivvy or during a prolonged stop.

Which men’s insulated jacket is the lightest?

The PIAJU is the lightest sleeved insulated jacket in the men’s range. Weighing around 300 g in size M and filled with 800 cuin natural down, it packs down small enough to fit in one hand. It provides less warmth than expedition models, making it a backup layer for mountaineering and ski touring. In damp conditions, the sleeveless VELAN vest with Cimaloft insulation weighs less than 300 g.

What size should I choose for a men’s insulated jacket?

Fit varies by model. The BALTORO and HIMALAYAN run large, so choose a size down to keep warm air close to your body. If you’re between sizes, size down for the MERU, which runs slightly large, and size up for the MEIJE and MALLET, which run slightly small. For other models, choose your usual size.

Men's Down Jackets for Hiking and Mountaineering

Men’s hiking and mountaineering insulated jackets with natural 800 cuin down or synthetic Cimaloft insulation, which retains warmth in damp conditions: from sleeveless gilets to expedition jackets.

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Men’s hiking insulated jacket: for walking or for stops?

Keep an insulated jacket zipped up on the first climb and your back soon gets soaked with sweat. That wet back makes you cold at the first stop. Most models in this selection are therefore for wearing when you stop: put on your insulated jacket as soon as you stop, over a thermal base layer, and pack it away before setting off again. To stay covered while walking, mountaineering or ski touring, the TAILLEFER combines breathable synthetic insulation with stretch fabric. The DIKLO, a Cimatherm Stretch thermal jacket, insulates the chest while allowing the back to breathe, whether you’re Nordic walking or snowshoeing.

Natural down or synthetic insulation: choose according to moisture conditions

The natural down in the PIAJU, MERU and BALTORO uses Cimacuin technology and has 800 cuin fill power: it provides plenty of insulation for its weight and packs down into the bottom of a rucksack. For the same warmth, the down-filled BALTORO weighs about half as much as the synthetic HIMALAYAN. When wet, down loses its loft. Cimaloft synthetic insulation retains warmth even when damp : it’s used in the MEIJE, MALLET, VELAN and HIMALAYAN, and blends recycled polyester with corn fibre. None of these insulated jackets is waterproof: in rain, wear a hardshell jacket over the top.

Compare these key features:

Insulation: natural 800 cuin down or synthetic Cimaloft.
Weight in size M: from under 300 g to over a kilogram.
Wind resistance: moderate wind (40 to 60 km/h) or strong wind (60 to 90 km/h).
Hood compatible with a mountaineering helmet.
Storage: compression sack or built-in pocket.

Hiking and trekking insulated jackets: MALLET, MEIJE and VELAN

For hiking and trekking, these three Cimaloft models weigh from under 300 g to just over 500 g in size M and pack into a compression sack or their own pocket. Without a hood, the MALLET also works in town. The MEIJE adds a close-fitting hood that protects against wind without restricting your view. The VELAN gilet leaves your shoulders free to move: wear it under a waterproof jacket to keep your torso warm. Find women’s fits among our women’s insulated jackets, and find the full range among our hiking and mountaineering insulated jackets.

Men’s mountaineering insulated jackets: from summit pack to expedition

At the belay, you feel the cold as soon as you stop. The PIAJU, at around 300 g in size M, fits in one hand when packed down : it’s the spare layer for your summit pack. On a windy ridge, the MERU and BALTORO block strong winds of 60 to 90 km/h; their two-way central zip lets you belay your second without opening the jacket, and their pockets remain accessible when you’re wearing a harness. Designed for expeditions, the BALTORO was developed and tested by Team Cimalp athletes. The HIMALAYAN weighs over a kilogram; its synthetic insulation retains warmth on a bivvy when damp sets in. Find the jackets to pair with them among our mountaineering jackets.

Caring for and repairing your insulated jacket

Wash an insulated jacket with a specialist down detergent, without fabric conditioner : on a cold wash for natural down, or at 30 °C with a gentle spin for synthetic insulation. Then tumble-dry it on a gentle cycle with tennis balls to distribute the filling. If down is not dried properly, it clumps. Down detergent and waterproofing treatment are available in this selection, and our guide explains caring for an insulated jacket. Like all Cimalp clothing, these insulated jackets come with free repairs for life.