Are warm trousers waterproof?

Not always. The QUEBEC and PITON have a 10,000 Schmerber CIMASHELL membrane. The LAOS, ROCKFIT, BORNAND and BERGEN PANT are water-repellent: they shed light rain but won't withstand prolonged rain.

Do you need tights under winter hiking trousers?

In very cold weather, yes, particularly under the BORNAND, BERGEN PANT and women’s PITON. Long johns keep your legs warm when you stop without restricting movement.

Which warm trousers should you choose for ski touring?

The BORNAND is designed for both ascents and descents, with side vents, zipped lower legs that fit over ski boots and reinforcements against ski edges. For more technical outings, the PITON adds braces, internal gaiters and a RECCO® reflector.

Warm winter trousers

Q: Which trousers should you wear for winter hiking?

Choose trousers that block wind and protect against snow. The QUEBEC, a lined softshell with a 10,000 Schmerber CIMASHELL membrane, blocks strong winds on winter hikes and snowshoe outings. In dry weather, the stretchy, water-repellent LAOS or ROCKFIT moves with you on mountain terrain.

Winter hiking trousers and warm trousers for men and women: lined QUEBEC softshell with a CIMASHELL membrane, PITON with braces for mountaineering, BORNAND for ski touring, and stretch LAOS and ROCKFIT for the mountains.

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The best Warm winter trousers for enjoying the mountains

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Which hiking trousers should you choose for winter?

On a snowy trail, wind cuts straight through summer trousers, and snow soaks the lower legs with every step. Winter hiking trousers need to block the wind, protect against snow and let your knees bend on climbs. Compare these key features:

Water protection: a 10,000 Schmerber CIMASHELL membrane (QUEBEC, PITON) or a water-repellent DWR treatment (LAOS, ROCKFIT, BERGEN PANT, BORNAND).
Wind: strong, from 60 to 90 km/h (QUEBEC, PITON, ROCKFIT), or sustained, from 40 to 60 km/h (LAOS, BERGEN PANT, BORNAND).
Weight: from 345 g for the men’s BERGEN PANT (size M) to 734 g for the women’s PITON (size S).
Length: SHORT versions of the QUEBEC and LAOS.

For walking through snow or snowfall, choose trousers with a membrane: QUEBEC or PITON, the latter with internal gaiters.

Softshell trousers with a membrane: QUEBEC and PITON

The QUEBEC is a lined softshell, with microfibre lining for men and fleece lining for women. Its 10,000 Schmerber CIMASHELL membrane blocks strong winds on winter hikes and snowshoe outings. The men’s dark grey denim-look colourway also works in town when travelling to cold countries. It weighs 540 g in men’s size M and 460 g in women’s size S. The men’s QUEBEC COURT has legs 6 cm shorter, for those under 172 cm tall.

The PITON is designed for mountaineering and ski touring: adjustable hook-and-loop braces compatible with a harness, two ventilation zips, internal gaiters to keep out snow and reinforcements against ski-edge damage. Its RECCO® reflector helps equipped rescuers locate you; it does not replace the avalanche transceiver you carry.

Ski touring, snowshoeing or Nordic walking: trousers for each activity

For ski touring, the BORNAND uses water-repellent CIMATHERM® Stretch fabric and has side vents. Zipped leg openings adjust over ski boots, while reinforcements protect against knocks from ski edges and crampons. It weighs 530 g in men’s size M and 470 g in women’s size S.

For Nordic walking and cross-country skiing, the men’s BERGEN PANT weighs 345 g in size M. Its fabric blocks chilly winds, and its water-repellent treatment makes light rain bead up without restricting your stride. For snowshoeing, choose the QUEBEC, designed for winter hiking and snow.

Stretch mountain trousers: LAOS and ROCKFIT

For dry days in the mountains, the LAOS in stretch CIMAFLEX has Cordura® reinforcements at the articulated knees, seat and lower legs; its water-repellent treatment is guaranteed for 30 washes. It weighs 475 g in size M and has five pockets, including two flap pockets on the thighs.

The ROCKFIT, made from 240 g/m² bi-stretch softshell, blocks strong winds and stretches in every direction, from hiking to climbing. Both pairs of trousers are water-repellent: in prolonged rain, switch to trousers with a membrane, from our range of waterproof trousers.

Thermal leggings and winter kit: stay warm until evening

In very cold weather, add a thermal base layer under your trousers, particularly with the BORNAND, BERGEN PANT and women’s PITON: see our thermal base layers. There are also separate collections for each fit: our men’s warm trousers and our women’s warm trousers, and you’ll find the full range in our hiking trousers. Like all Cimalp clothing, these trousers are covered by our free repairs for life.

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