Walking Trousers

CimAlp Explore H Pants | Review

CimAlp have created a technical mountain pant that's able to stand up to constant abuse from rocks – and is decent value to boot

Why We Chose The CimAlp Explore H: Extremely durable, protective, great value.

The Expedition Series is CimAlp’s premium clothing line which has been designed to take on technical mountain terrain and keep you pushing through it. With that in mind, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise to hear that the company is based in the Drôme region of France, right at the foot of the Alps.
These, the Explore H trousers, sit within their extensive range as their technical mountain pant.

These are trousers that are best suited to three-season use, either for hiking, trekking, or even mountaineering and climbing.

During summer, you’ll be able to rely on them to perform in high altitude terrain such as alpine 3,000 – 4,000 metre peaks around Europe. You could also count on them on a Scottish munro bagging trip where you need a degree of protection from the elements but also breathability. For cold weather use, there isn’t any built-in insulation but there’s enough room to fit a pair of baselayer leggings underneath.

“Cordura has been strategically used throughout the trousers, with the heavyweight X-Trem soft shell fabric covering everywhere else.”

Overall they weigh 460g, so they’re far from being the lightest on the market. For comparison, the staple mountain pant – the Mountain Equipment Ibex – comes in at a similar weight of 445g. However, the Explore H Pant more than makes up for the slightly heavier weight with an increase in durability. Cordura has been strategically used throughout the trousers, with the heavyweight X-Trem softshell fabric covering everywhere else.

Cordura, in case you’re not familiar with it, is a super tough blend of nylon and cotton that was initially developed for military use. These days, it’s commonly used in mountaineering clothing. It’s used here on the knees and instep of the Explore H in order to protect the fabric from the inevitable crampon and rock damage that those areas are often exposed to.

The Explore H has a built in elastane giving them a stretchy, comfortable fit. Photo: Chris Johnson

The Expedition Series is CimAlp’s premium clothing line which has been designed to take on tough terrain. Photo: Chris Johnson

Weatherproof zips provide a degree of protection. Photo: Chris Johnson

A waterproof pocket is located on the thigh of the right leg, whilst two more hand pockets sit at the hips. Photo: Chris Johnson

A Durable Water Repellent treatment has been applied to the X-Trem fabric, and CimAlp say this will be effective for up to 30 washes. You’ll then be able to add in your own aftermarket DWR finish (such as Nickwax) after the 30 washes, in order to keep up the wet-weather performance.

A semi-elastic waist band, stretch built into the fabric and a typically alpine fit brings this tough, water-resistant fabric together in a slimline build. A zipped pocket is located on the thigh of the right leg, whilst two more hand pockets sit at the hips. These zips are all waterproof though it’s worth bearing in mind that the pockets themselves won’t be able to keep heavy rainfall out.

Overall these aren’t particularly glamorous, but they’re certainly technical, they’re comfortable and they’re very well articulated, and if they don’t quite match your requirements, it’s worth having a look at the CimAlp website to view the rest of their collection – it’s extensive to say the least.

A typically alpine slim fit means that no weight is wasted in unnecessary fabric. Photo: Chris Johnson

Trade Secrets

Liam O’Dowd – CimAlp Marketing Staff

“Our Explore mountain trousers are a core CimAlp product, so it’s no wonder they are the trousers of choice for mountaineering teams and the French climbing federation. Flexible, durable and breathable, they’re a great choice for beginners and professionals alike”