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.

“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.”