Why We Chose the CimAlp Storm 2: Lightweight, incredible breathability, great value.
You’ll be forgiven if you’ve not yet heard of CimAlp. Although they’ve been developing clothing for outdoors sports for over 50 years, the French company have not yet made too much of a dent in the British market.
This is a brand that are all about performance at high tempos and high intensity, with low weight technical fabrics used across their range, athletic cuts, and designs that are generally very modern in their looks.
“As you’d expect from a jacket that’s been born in a close proximity to the Alps, the Storm 2 Pro has been designed with fast and light activities in mind.”
With roots deeply entrenched within the Drôme region of the Alps, you’ll see this kit worn throughout the alpine regions of both France and Italy, from mountain guides to first-time walkers and climbers. Focusing on an online only, direct-to-consumer business model, CimAlp have been able to offer some decent technologies for up to 20% cheaper than average.
As you’d expect from a jacket that’s been born in a close proximity to the Alps, the Storm 2 Pro has been designed with fast and light activities in mind. It uses a three-layer Ultrashell membrane that CimAlp claim offers 20,000g/m2 waterproofing along with 80,000g/m2 breathability – if that’s true, it’s crazy stuff.
To put these figures into perspective, The North Face’s all-new, ultra porous FutureLight material that has had a big fuss made about it so far is said to hold the same breathability rating of 80,000g/m2. We thought the CimAlp was breathable, until we tried out Futurelight (albeit briefly) and found that to be even more breathable – so we’re admittedly a little sceptical of the rating CimAlp have listed.
