What are the best hiking trousers?

For one pair of trousers from spring to autumn, choose a water-repellent bi-stretch style such as the men’s ALBARON or women’s BALMAZ. In midsummer, switch to a lightweight style such as the OCHE or PLARET; on rocky terrain, choose a reinforced style such as the EXPLORE.

What’s the difference between trekking and hiking?

A trek is a multi-day hiking trip, often following a route or taken while travelling, with nights in mountain refuges or tents. You need trousers that dry overnight, such as the ARCALOD and CLARET 2-in-1 styles, which also convert into shorts.

Hiking trousers or walking trousers: what’s the difference?

Both terms refer to the same type of garment. For Nordic walking, where the pace picks up, the BERGEN PANT has a windproof, water-repellent front and a back that stretches in every direction.

Hiking trousers

Cimalp hiking trousers cover every condition and type of hiker: lightweight for summer, warm for winter, waterproof or adaptable to suit different terrain and activities.

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The best Hiking trousers for enjoying the mountains

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Hiking Trousers

Which hiking trousers should you choose for your trip?

On a day in the mountains, the same trousers face morning dew, midday sun and rocky scrapes on the descent. Choose according to the season and terrain. For summer trails, choose a lightweight, stretchy model weighing around 200 to 300 g : the OCHE dries quickly, while the PLARET releases heat on long climbs.

From spring through chilly autumn mornings, switch to water-repellent bi-stretch trousers: the ALBARON blocks moderate wind and resists splashes. Find the full summer range in our ultralight trousers.

Hiking trousers for winter and rain

In winter, the QUEBEC combines insulating Softshell with a membrane that blocks wind and resists rain. For ski touring, the PITON has ventilation zips you can open during hard efforts and internal gaiters to keep snow out. See our warm trousers for winter.

A water-repellent treatment is rarely enough after the first hour of rain. In prolonged rain, choose trousers with a membrane and heat-sealed seams like the HOGGAR, or keep overtrousers in your pack: the TORRENT goes on without taking off your shoes, thanks to full-length zips, while the STORM PRO PANT uses the Ultrashell membrane. Find every model in our waterproof trousers.

Stretch, reinforced hiking trousers: what to look for

Compare these features across models:

Stretch: 100% stretch fabric on the EXPLORE and ARCALOD.
Reinforcements: Cordura at the knees, seat and lower legs on the LAOS.
Drying time: the ARCALOD and LEVANNA dry in a few hours.
Pockets: cargo pockets on the CARLIT and CARLITA; three zipped pockets on the BALMAZ.
Fit: close-fitting for the OCHE, second-skin leggings for the GRIVOLA.

On rocky trails, choose stretch trousers with reinforcements : on the EXPLORE, articulated knees and scuff guards withstand abrasion, while the gusset allows greater freedom of movement on steep climbs. Our guide hiking trousers: how to choose the right pair also covers fabric and insulation.

Trekking and travel trousers: secure pockets and quick drying

On a multi-day trek, you need to wash your trousers at the end of the day and have them dry by morning. Choose quick-drying fabric and pockets that fasten : the KATMANDOU has eight pockets, including two hidden ones, and the CARLIT has a microfibre cloth for sunglasses tucked into a pocket.

When a day starts cool and ends in sunshine, 2-in-1 trousers save you carrying shorts. The men’s ARCALOD and women’s CLARET convert to shorts in seconds, without taking off your shoes. See our convertible 2-in-1 trousers.

Same model, two fits: find your equivalent size and length

Most models come in both fits. The PLARET, OCHE, QUEBEC, HOGGAR and BERGEN PANT keep the same name; others have different names: the men’s ALBARON is the women’s BALMAZ, the men’s CARLIT is the women’s CARLITA. In this selection, the GRIVOLA leggings come in a women’s fit, while the LAOS and ROCKFIT come in men’s fits. Each fit has its own collection: women’s hiking trousers and men’s hiking trousers.

If you are under 1.62 m for women, or under 1.70 to 1.72 m for men, choose a SHORT version, made with a shorter leg from the outset. On the HOGGAR SHORT, the leg is 6 cm shorter and the waterproof seams remain intact.

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