Thermal tights, long johns or base-layer trousers: what’s the difference?

None in how they’re used: each is the same base layer for your legs, worn next to your skin under ski or winter hiking trousers.

Which men’s thermal tights should you choose for extreme cold?

The WOOL PANT 240, made from merino wool and polyester, is the only men’s tights rated very warm, weighing 200g in size M. It retains warmth even when slightly damp, for ski touring, mountaineering and hiking in extreme cold.

Which men’s thermal long johns should you wear under ski trousers?

The WARM PANT, with its brushed inner, moves with you as you bend and reaches down to your ankles. For ski touring, the WOOL PANT 200 retains warmth from the climb through to your break.

What size men’s thermal tights should you choose?

Your usual size for all six styles. Their close fit keeps the fabric against your skin.

Men’s thermal tights and long johns

Men’s thermal tights and long johns to wear under ski trousers, winter hiking trousers or mountaineering trousers: CIMAWOOL merino wool, brushed synthetic fabric, or seamless bamboo and silk.

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Men’s thermal tights, long johns or base-layer bottoms: the same first layer

When you stop after a climb, a leg damp with sweat cools quickly beneath your trousers. Thermal tights, also called long johns or base-layer bottoms, are worn next to the skin, under ski or winter hiking trousers. It retains the warmth your body produces and wicks sweat away. Six men’s styles in three fabrics.

Light, balanced or high warmth: which long johns for the cold?

Choose your warmth level for after the effort. On a sustained climb, tights that are too warm become soaked with sweat, leaving you cold when you stop. Weight in size M unless otherwise stated:

Light warmth: WOOL PANT 150, 140g, for active outings in cool weather.
Balanced warmth: WOOL PANT 200, 183g, or WARM PANT, 170g, with a brushed inner.
High warmth: WOOL PANT 240, 200g, the only men’s tights rated very warm.
Warm and seamless: STRATEGIC PANT, 225g in S/M, made from bamboo and silk.

The WOOL PANT 2, 180g in M, also combines merino wool and polyester and is rated warm. If you stop often or for long periods in the cold, go up a warmth level.

Merino, synthetic or bamboo-and-silk tights: the fabric against your skin

The WOOL PANT combines 50% 19.5 µm merino wool with 50% polyester. The wool keeps you warm when you stop and breathes during exertion, while the polyester dries quickly. On the WOOL PANT 240, wool stays warm even when slightly damp, when you stop after a climb.

The WARM PANT, made from 175 g/m² CIMATHERM® polyester, combines hollow fibres with a brushed inner that traps a thin layer of air against the skin, while its outer surface wicks away sweat. Its POLYGIENE® StayFresh treatment helps limit odours, as it does on the STRATEGIC PANT. The latter is knitted without seams from bamboo viscose and silk to reduce friction points.

Base-layer bottoms for skiing, winter hiking or mountaineering: which style should you choose?

For alpine skiing, the WARM PANT moves with every bend without pulling or squeezing; its wide elasticated waistband stays in place, and the legs reach the ankles. For ski touring, start with the WOOL PANT 200 : it keeps you warm from the skintrack to your break at the summit.

The WOOL PANT 150 suits snowshoeing and hiking in cool weather. For mountaineering and extreme cold, choose the WOOL PANT 240, the warmest of the six. Made from wool and polyester, the WOOL PANT 2 works for everything from alpine skiing and cross-country skiing to snowshoeing. The STRATEGIC PANT goes unnoticed under your trousers, from the first climb to the final descent.

Fit and sizing of men’s thermal long johns

All six styles fit true to size: choose your usual size. With their close fit, they stay discreet under your trousers and move with you. The WARM PANT does not ride up or bunch beneath your trousers.

For your upper body, pair them with a base-layer top from our men’s thermal base layers. Over it, pull on a men’s ski trousers or a winter hiking trousers to suit your outing.

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