Hiking

Men's hiking clothing only works when every layer does its job. Get it right and you'll sweat less, stay warmer and push further. The three factors that matter most: moisture management from your base layer, freedom of movement and cut from your hiking trousers, and waterproofing combined with breathability from your jacket.

Hiking trousers shouldn't be tight or baggy — the right fit allows full freedom of movement on steep ascents without slipping at the hip or restricting your stride. A regular or lightly tapered cut with an elasticated waistband and stretch woven fabric is ideal. If you plan to layer a base layer underneath, size up by one. Odlo's hiking trousers in structured ripstop fabric combine a relaxed, tapered silhouette with an adjustable waistband, so you can fine-tune the fit even mid-trail.

A good hiking jacket protects you from wind and rain without turning into a heat trap on the way up. The non-negotiables: reliable weather protection — either a PFC-free DWR finish for light showers or a multi-layer waterproof membrane for sustained rain — combined with enough breathability to vent heat when you're working hard. An adjustable hood, venting options and a packable design round out the spec. Odlo's 3-layer hardshell jackets reach 20,000 mm waterproofing and 20,000 g breathability, setting a solid technical benchmark for demanding mountain hiking.

For day hikes in typical European weather, a waterproof rating of 10,000 mm is solid protection against sustained rain. For alpine hiking, multi-day routes or regions with unpredictable weather, aim for at least 20,000 mm. Odlo's 3-layer hardshell for mountain sport hits exactly that figure and pairs it with equivalent breathability, so you don't overheat during long climbs. One caveat: a high waterproof column isn't enough on its own — sealed seams and the quality of the membrane material determine how long that protection holds in real rain.

The three-layer system — a principle Odlo has developed since 1986 — divides your kit into base layer, mid layer and outer shell. The base layer sits against your skin and moves moisture outward: for hiking, choose a fast-drying synthetic fabric like F-Dry or a merino-blend — both manage sweat efficiently and stay fresh on long days out. The mid layer insulates: a fleece half-zip with a microgrid inner lining is light, packable and responsive to shifting temperatures. The outer shell handles wind and rain. With this system you can add or remove individual layers as temperature and effort change, without losing the overall function of your kit.