Which men’s rain jacket is right for hiking?

A waterproof jacket with taped seams. The CASCADE has a 10,000 Schmerber waterproof rating and weighs 525 g in size M; the COSMIQUES and ADVANCED, made with Ultrashell, have a 20,000 Schmerber waterproof rating and a breathability rating of 80,000 g/m²/24 h. A softshell such as the DYNAMIC is suitable for a short shower: its seams are not taped.

Which men’s mountain jacket is right for winter?

A 3-in-1 jacket such as the CLIMAT, with a waterproof shell and removable CIMALOFT insulated jacket, or the SCIA with its removable fleece. In very cold, dry conditions, wear the HIMALAYAN insulated jacket as an outer layer; in rain or snow, layer a MEIJE or MALLET insulated jacket under a waterproof jacket.

What size should you choose for a men’s hiking jacket?

Choose your usual size for most models, including the CASCADE, COSMIQUES, ADVANCED, DYNAMIC and JORASSE. The MEIJE, NATURE and VISO and ICEBERG gilets run slightly small: if you’re between sizes, size up. The GUIDE PRO runs slightly large and the HIMALAYAN runs large: size down.

Men's hiking jackets

Q: Which men’s hiking jacket should you choose?

Choose a jacket for the weather you encounter most often. For rain, pick a membrane jacket: the CASCADE with 10,000 Schmerber CIMASHELL, or the COSMIQUES with 20,000 Schmerber Ultrashell, weighing 390 g in size M. For dry cold, choose a fleece such as the JORASSE or the DIKLO thermal jacket; for breaks, a CIMALOFT insulated jacket.

Specialists in hiking equipment since 1964, we have developed and designed a wide range of men's hiking jackets for all your mountain activities.

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Which men’s hiking jacket should you choose for the mountains?

As you leave the forest, the wind hits the ridge and rain arrives within minutes. Choose a men’s hiking jacket for the conditions it needs to withstand. Compare these four factors:

Waterproof rating: 10,000 Schmerber for CIMASHELL, 20,000 for Ultrashell.
Breathability: 10,000 g/m²/24 h for CIMASHELL, 80,000 for Ultrashell.
Wind: from a moderate breeze of 20 to 40 km/h for most fleece jackets to strong winds of 60 to 90 km/h for jackets with a membrane.
Weight in size M: from 260 g for the VELAN vest to 1,275 g for the NATURE parka.

If you take just one jacket, make it a waterproof one and wear a fleece underneath in cold weather.

Men’s waterproof jackets: CASCADE, COSMIQUES, ADVANCED or GUIDE PRO

In prolonged rain, only a membrane with sealed seams will keep you dry. The CASCADE, made with 10,000-Schmerber CIMASHELL, weighs 525 g in size M and has underarm ventilation zips and stretch wrist cuffs. The COSMIQUES uses 20,000-Schmerber Ultrashell and weighs 390 g in size M.

For mountaineering and ski touring, the ADVANCED (410 g in size M) keeps its high pockets accessible when you’re wearing a harness; the GUIDE PRO (710 g in size M) has rip-stop fabric reinforced at the shoulders and a hood that fits over a helmet. Both have a RECCO® reflector, which does not replace the avalanche transceiver worn on your person. For hiking, choose the CASCADE or COSMIQUES; for high mountains, the ADVANCED or GUIDE PRO. To compare jackets with a membrane, see our men’s hardshell jackets.

Men’s softshells: DYNAMIC, SUMMIT and VISO vest

A softshell is warm, water-repellent and blocks strong winds. The DYNAMIC, made with three-layer CIMASHELL, weighs 780 g in size M and has two-way ventilation zips and a removable hood. The SUMMIT (800 g in size M) adds an abrasion-resistant outer fabric and a helmet-compatible hood for high mountains and winter hikes. The VISO vest leaves your arms free and weighs 380 g in size M. Their seams are not sealed: if it rains for more than 30 minutes, switch to a hardshell jacket.

Fleece, thermal jacket or insulated jacket: men’s warm layers

In dry weather, men’s fleece jackets can be worn on their own or under a jacket. The JORASSE (505 g in size M) has a cold-weather face covering sewn inside, the WARMIT in CIMATHERM® Stretch fits under a jacket, and the DIKLO thermal jacket keeps your torso warm while allowing your back to breathe. The ICEBERG vest, made from 300 g/m² fleece, and the stretchy CINTO vest, reinforced at the shoulders against pack straps, leave your arms free.

For breaks, the hooded MEIJE (515 g in size M) and MALLET (480 g in size M) insulated jackets use CIMALOFT, which retains warmth even when damp; the VELAN vest weighs 260 g in size M. The HIMALAYAN is designed for extreme cold; the TAILLEFER, with PrimaLoft® Gold Active+, is designed for mountaineering and ski touring. In the rain, wear your insulated jacket under a waterproof jacket. See our men’s down jackets.

Men’s 3-in-1 jackets and parkas: for winter and travel

For winter, the CLIMAT combines a 10,000-Schmerber CIMASHELL shell with a removable CIMALOFT insulated jacket; the SCIA combines a 10,000-Schmerber shell with a removable fleece. Each piece can also be worn on its own. The long NATURE parka adds CIMALOFT insulation and a reflective lining that reflects body heat. It weighs 1,275 g in size M and runs slightly small, so size up if you’re between sizes. Under these jackets, wear a thermal base layer that wicks away sweat.

All Cimalp clothing comes with the lifetime repairs. Explore our other our women's hiking jackets.

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