Waterproof Jackets

CimAlp Advanced 2H Jacket | Review

This new waterproof has some real out-of-the-box thinking behind it. And the results are great

Why We Chose The CimAlp Advanced 2H: Innovative design, good breathability, technical details

This new jacket from CimAlp seems to be an evolution of their lightweight trail running jacket called the Storm 2 Pro. It’s tougher, even more protective and more specced out, but it still features that impressive breathability rating of 80,000g/m2. If that figure is true, those are industry leading levels of moisture vapour management.

Who Is The CimAlp Advanced 2H Jacket For?

With its weight of 390g, its focus on breathability, and some of the safety details it has, the Advanced 2H is definitely a jacket made for the mountains. We can see this being a useful option for anything from hiking and backpacking to ski touring and mountaineering.

Materials

CimAlp used their own proprietary membrane here, the same one that was used on their lighter Storm 2 Pro jacket. Called Ultrashell this material has a decent waterproof rating of 20,000mm (hydrostatic head) but perhaps more importantly those phenomenal breathability numbers which we mentioned earlier (80,000g/m2). To put these into perspective, Gore-Tex Pro’s breathability tends to measure around 28,000g/m2 (MVTR). Read the Tester’s Verdict at the bottom of this review to find out just how breathable we found Ultrashell to be out in the field.

The fabrics featured either side of the membrane are also impressive, with a durable outer that has a slight bit of stretch and then a backer material underneath that’s soft and smooth, much like Gore-Tex’s new Paclite Plus, making the jacket comfortable to wear, even against bare skin.

Construction/Fit

The jacket is cut at a standard height at the front of the hem but at the back it drops down to partially cover your backside. This really helps to prevent the jacket from riding up too much when you’re wearing a backpack or climbing harness. The overall volume is on the athletic side but not so much that it’s constricting and it will be able to accommodate a mid layer underneath.

There's enough volume in the hood to accommodate a climbing helmet. Photo: Mike Brindley

A built in RECCO reflector. Photo: Mike Brindley

One of the most instantly noticeable things about this is the main zip. This is offset so that it zips up to the left hand side of your jaw, just below the ear and the result is a hood that fits almost like a wetsuit hood. It’s an inspired touch that makes this one of the most impressive, protective hoods we’ve come across (again, more on that in the Tester’s Verdict below).

Features

Whole lot of features here. You’ve got a harness-friendly two-way YKK waterproof main zip, an adjustment cinch at the hem, dependable Velcro tabs on the cuffs and long pit two-way pit zips that are backed by a mesh gusset. The two handwarmer pockets are quite small but they can still be accessed when you’re wearing a harness or backpack with a hipbelt. You also have a zippered mesh pocket on the chest for things like your phone and wallet and then another open mesh pocket on the inside for storing gloves. One notable addition is the RECCO reflector on the shoulder, something that belies this jacket’s alpine focus.

“I took it on a backpacking trip over a wet few days in the Brecon Beacons and was so impressed by the hood design.”

As for the hood – which, by the way, is helmet compatible – not only does it have that useful offset zip but there’s a breathing vent for when you’re properly cinched in, three point adjustment and then a modest peak that’s wire stiffened.

Tester’s Verdict

Will Renwick, editor of Outdoors Magic

“I was recently out in heavy rainfall in the Lake District wearing a jacket by Rab, one with the kind of run-of-the-mill hood you see on most jackets, and I ended up getting soaked because water managed to seep in around my chin. There and then, I remember wondering when I’d come across a jacket that solves that issue. And well, it turns out I didn’t need to wait long because two weeks later I found out this CimAlp jacket is the answer.

Out in the Brecon Beacons in miserable weather.

“I took it on a backpacking trip over a wet few days in the Brecon Beacons and was so impressed by the hood design. The offset zip makes it very comfortable while the protection really is top quality. In fact, it’s the most protective hood I’ve come across.

“As for the breathability, while I’d say it’s better than most jackets out there on this front, I’m still a little sceptical about the 80,000g/m2 claim. Perhaps they’ve factored in the pit zip ventilation with this. Still, with those open I found there was enough airflow to tolerate wearing this even during some long and steep climbs – the kind of climbs where a standard waterproof would tend to get too clammy. Is it as breathable as The North Face’s FutureLight? I’d say no. It is far, far more durable though.

“Another of the main aspects I rate about this is the cut – the dropped hem at the back in particular. Jackets do tend to ride up on me when I wear a backpack so I appreciated having that extra length.

“At 390g it’s not the lightest out there but it’s certainly light for an alpine jacket, which I’d say is the category it sits in.”