How should you layer outdoor clothing in the mountains?

Wear a sweat-wicking base layer next to your skin, such as the WOOL TOP 200 H merino top. Add a fleece when active in the cold, then a waterproof Ultrashell® jacket or a CIMASHELL softshell to protect against rain and wind. When you stop, put on a CIMALOFT® insulated jacket, under your outer jacket if it's raining.

Fleece or insulated jacket: which should you take?

Both, if your outing alternates between exertion and breaks in the cold. Wear a fleece, such as the JORASSE 3 H, while walking. An insulated jacket, such as the CIMALOFT® MEIJE H, keeps you warm when you stop and packs into its compression sack. For a short outing in mild weather, a fleece alone is enough.

Can Cimalp clothing be repaired?

Yes, free of charge for life. Subject to workshop approval, the Cimalp repair workshop repairs zips, seams, buttons and worn fabric on jackets, fleeces, insulated jackets, trousers, shorts, t-shirts and shirts. Complete the after-sales service form, then send in the item at your own expense. Assessment and repair take no more than 30 days, and return shipping is covered in France and the EU.

Who designs Cimalp clothing?

Cimalp, a mountain clothing brand founded in 1964, develops its own fabrics, patents its technologies and tests its products in the field. The Ultrashell® membrane, launched in 2012, has a waterproof rating of 20,000 Schmerber. The customer support team is based in Valence, in the Drôme region of France.

Men's outdoor clothing

Cimalp men’s outdoor clothing, from merino base layers to Ultrashell® waterproof jackets, for hiking, trail running, climbing or skiing. Layer up to suit the weather and complete your kit with our men’s outdoor footwear.

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The best Men's outdoor clothing for enjoying the mountains

Hiking Jackets

Men's Down Jackets

Mountaineering Jackets

Men's ski jackets

Hiking Shoes

Men’s outdoor clothing: three layers to adapt to the weather

Between the car park and the mountain pass, the air gets colder and the effort makes you sweat, even in winter. Three thin layers worn together tackle both problems better than one thick garment: take a layer off on the way up and add one when you stop. Against your skin, the base layer wicks away sweat; a fleece or insulated jacket then retains warmth, while the outer jacket blocks rain and wind. Start with what you already wear and add only the layer you need.

Base layer: thermal base layer or merino t-shirt

Choose your base layer according to how hard you’ll be working and how long you’ll be out. The WOOL TOP 200 H, made from CimaWool® merino, regulates warmth during activity and at rest, and controls odours for several days. For sustained effort in the mountains in winter, the SEAMLESS TOP H in CimaTherm® is knitted without seams from collar to cuffs and stays in place under other layers. In summer, the CLAPIER 3 H merino wool t-shirt weighs 115 g in size M and can be worn on its own. Compare the models in our men’s thermal base layers and our men’s t-shirts and shirts. Avoid cotton, which traps sweat and leaves you cold when you stop.

Fleece or insulated jacket: warmth while moving and when you stop

Put on a fleece when you’re active in the cold. The JORASSE 3 H weighs 505 g in size M, provides warmth for walking and has a built-in mask to protect your face from cold and wind. When you stop or go winter hiking, switch to an insulated jacket: the MEIJE H has synthetic CIMALOFT® insulation and a water-repellent treatment, retains warmth in damp conditions and packs into its compression sack. Find all our fleeces in our men's fleece jackets, and the insulated jackets in our men’s technical jackets. In prolonged rain, wear the insulated jacket under the waterproof jacket.

Waterproof jacket or softshell: protection from rain and wind

For your outer jacket, consider the rain you’re likely to face. For sustained rain, choose a jacket with a membrane: the COSMIQUES 2 H, made with Three-layer Ultrashell® withstands 20,000 Schmerber and has a breathability rating of 80,000 g/m²/24 h, at a weight of 390 g in size M. Cimalp launched this patented membrane in 2012. In changeable weather, the DYNAMIC 7 H softshell, made with three-layer CIMASHELL rated at 10,000 Schmerber, blocks strong winds of 60 to 90 km/h, protects against showers and retains warmth. Compare the models in our men’s outdoor jackets using these specifications on the product page:

Waterproof rating, in Schmerber
Breathability, in g/m²/24 h
Wind resistance, in km/h
Weight in your size

Trousers and shoes: complete your mountain kit

Wear lightweight trousers in summer, switch to warm trousers in winter and reach for a waterproof pair when rain persists: you’ll find them all in our men’s trousers and shorts. Complete your kit with our men’s outdoor shoes, for hiking, trail running or mountaineering. Your Cimalp jackets, fleeces, trousers and t-shirts come with free lifetime repairs by the Cimalp repair workshop, subject to workshop approval: worn zip, seam, button or fabric, with assessment and repair within 30 days. You cover the cost of sending the item to the workshop. Explore our women’s outdoor clothing.

F.A.Q