What should you wear for hiking?

Three layers: a breathable t-shirt against your skin, a fleece for insulation and a waterproof jacket with sealed seams against rain and wind. Add stretch trousers, socks that extend above the top of your footwear and, in winter, a lightweight insulated jacket for stops.

What should women wear for hiking?

The same layering system, in a women’s fit: a merino wool t-shirt such as the AIGLIERE (90 g in size S), the ALASKA fleece sweatshirt, the COSMIQUES waterproof jacket (340 g), and stretch trousers such as the LEVANNA or the GRIVOLA leggings. Size recommendations vary by model: check before ordering.

What should you wear for summer hiking?

A lightweight t-shirt, such as VENTURI or a 90–115 g merino top, convertible trousers such as ARCALOD or CLARET, and a lightweight waterproof jacket in your pack in case of a storm. Protect your head with our hiking caps and hats.

Is Cimalp a French brand?

Yes. Cimalp has been a French brand of mountain clothing and equipment since 1964. Its Ultrashell membrane is used in the COSMIQUES and ADVANCED waterproof jackets, and all its clothing comes with lifetime repairs.

Hiking clothing

Get ready for your next expeditions with our hiking clothing, designed to offer weather protection, optimal thermal regulation and complete freedom of movement on any trail.

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The best Hiking clothing for enjoying the mountains

Waterproof Clothing

Fleeces

Hiking and mountaineering down jackets

Waterproof trousers

Base layers

What to wear hiking: the three-layer system

At the car park, the morning air stings your hands; by midday, at the pass, the sun warms your back while the wind chills your arms. Wear three layers, adding or removing them as your effort and the weather change.

The first layer, next to your skin, wicks away sweat: the VENTURI t-shirt weighs 140 g in size M, with an inner face that stays dry and an outer face that dries quickly. In merino wool, the CLAPIER weighs 115 g in size M and the AIGLIERE 90 g in size S. See our hiking T-shirts.

The second layer insulates. The ARTIC fleece, made from Thermopolar 200 using 100% recycled fibres, weighs 300 g in size M. The WARMIT stretches in every direction and blocks a stiff breeze. Find them in our fleece jackets. The third layer blocks rain and wind: it’s the waterproof jacket.

Waterproof hiking jacket: 10,000 or 20,000 mm?

In a prolonged downpour, a jacket only protects you if its seams are sealed. For hiking in the rain, choose a jacket with sealed seams. Compare these key features:

Waterproof rating: 10,000 mm for the CASCADE; 20,000 mm for the COSMIQUES and ADVANCED, with Ultrashell membrane.
Breathability: 10,000–80,000 g/m²/24 h.
Seams: sealed on all three jackets, unsealed on the softshells.
Weight: 340 g for the women’s COSMIQUES, 390 g for the men’s.

Softshell jackets, such as the DYNAMIC and ENERGY, are warm and water-repellent. If you’ll be in the rain for more than 30 minutes, switch to a hardshell. Find jackets with sealed seams in our waterproof jackets and the women’s fit of the softshell in our women’s softshell jackets.

Hiking trousers: reinforced, lightweight or convertible

A rocky trail wears trousers out quickly. The lower legs and knees go first. For abrasive terrain, choose the LAOS : 475 g in size M, with reinforcements at the knees, seat and lower legs, and water-repellent fabric. For a lighter option, the FAST weighs 310 g for men and 280 g for women.

When it warms up, the ARCALOD and CLARET convert into shorts by zip, without taking off your shoes. For women, the GRIVOLA leggings weigh 220 g and have reinforcements at the knees. Find them all in our hiking trousers ; find the shorts in our shorts and cropped trousers.

Women’s hiking clothing: fit and sizing, model by model

The women’s models have their own fit: the women’s COSMIQUES is close-fitting, the LEVANNA has four-way stretch, and the ALASKA fleece sweatshirt weighs 225 g. Sizing advice varies from one style to another. The women’s LEVANNA and FAST run slightly large. The GRIVOLA runs slightly small.

For men, most models fit true to size. You’ll also find the women’s fits in our women’s hiking jackets and our women’s hiking trousers.

Winter hiking clothing: insulation, footwear and repairs

In severe cold, you cool down quickly when you stop. Pack a lightweight insulating layer in your bag. The men’s PIAJU down jacket has 800 cuin down fill and weighs 300 g; the women’s CHULU weighs 250 g. With synthetic insulation, the TAILLEFER keeps you warm when you stop without trapping sweat when you’re moving. Under your outer layers, add our merino wool base layers ; find all our warm jackets in our down jackets.

All Cimalp clothing comes with the lifetime repairs. For your feet, choose hiking socks that stick out above the collar of your hiking shoes. For more detail, read the complete guide to dressing for hiking.

F.A.Q