Hiking and outdoor clothing

NORDBLANC hiking clothing for women and men: waterproof jackets with a TERATEX® membrane, softshell, fleece jackets, outdoor trousers and shorts, leather boots and socks. For hikes and day trips from summer to winter.

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What you'll find in this category

Men's hiking clothing – NORDBLANC men’s hiking clothing for mountains and rough terrain: outdoor trousers and shorts, powerfleece jackets and softshell sweatshirts, softshell and waterproof jackets with TERATEX® up to 20,000 mm. Insulated ones mostly keep warm down to 0 or −10 °C.
Women's hiking clothing – NORDBLANC women’s hiking clothing for hikes and day trips: light outdoor shorts, skorts and trousers, fleece jackets and softshell sweatshirts, and waterproof jackets with a TERATEX® membrane up to 20,000 mm. Mostly stretchy and breathable.
Men's outdoor footwear – NORDBLANC men’s outdoor boots for hikes: leather boots with a TERAGRIP sole that has a pronounced pattern and is reinforced in the arch and heel. There are low-cut and high models – depending on the length of the route, the terrain and the load.
Women's outdoor footwear – NORDBLANC women’s outdoor boots for hiking: leather boots in low-cut and high versions with a TERAGRIP sole reinforced in the arch and heel. Choose low-cut ones for comfortable routes, high ones for more ankle support on rough terrain.
Socks – NORDBLANC socks for sport, hikes and skiing: compression sports and hiking socks, compression merino wool socks with 15–30% merino wool, and ski knee socks. The basis is nylon with elastane for a stretchy, close-fitting knit.

How to dress for hiking

On a hike, a walk uphill that makes you sweat alternates with a pause on the ridge where the wind quickly cools you down. The weather in the mountains also changes during the day. So it pays to wear three layers that are easy to add or remove: sweat transport, warmth, and protection from rain and wind.

Base layer, socks and boots

Next to the skin goes lightweight or all-season thermal underwear with DRYFOR fibre, or alternatively merino wool. Add compression hiking, sports or merino wool socks; merino wool socks contain 15–30% merino wool. NORDBLANC leather outdoor boots come in low-cut and high versions and have a TERAGRIP sole reinforced in the arch and heel.

Warm layer: fleece, powerfleece and softshell

A mid-layer provides the warmth under the jacket. A lightweight fleece jacket in TECNOPOLAR® fleece suits cold mornings and breaks, and a stretchy powerfleece jacket with DRYFOR fibre suits active walking. The softshell sweatshirt is water-repellent and rated down to 0 °C on NORDBLANC’s indicative warmth scale.

Hiking jacket

For rain and wind, you need a waterproof outdoor jacket with a TERATEX® membrane. Jackets with TERATEX® have a water column of 8,000–20,000 mm, most often 15,000 mm, and mostly taped seams, an adjustable hood and ventilation zips. For dry, windy days a lighter softshell jacket in SOFTSHIELD® 10000 with a water column of 10,000 mm is enough.

Hiking trousers and shorts

In summer, light outdoor shorts and skorts are practical; all the shorts in the category are stretchy and quick-drying. Choose hiking trousers to suit the terrain: light outdoor trousers are airy but offer little protection from wind, while sturdier outdoor trousers are often made of double-woven DOUBLE WEAVE fabric. For cold and wet snow, softshell and insulated waterproof trousers come into play.

For winter hikes

Insulated softshell jackets and trousers and insulated waterproof outdoor trousers are rated down to −10 °C on NORDBLANC’s indicative warmth scale. Under them, wear winter thermal underwear and a mid-layer. Add a layer as soon as a longer break starts, while you are still warm.

What to look for when choosing

Water column and seams – SOFTSHIELD® 10000 softshell has 10,000 mm, jackets with a TERATEX® membrane most often 15,000 mm and 20,000 mm at most. For persistent rain and multi-day hikes choose higher values and taped seams, which 22 of the 25 models of these jackets have.
Breathability – sweat has to get out on the climbs. Most of the clothing in the category is made of breathable material; SOFTSHIELD® 10000 softshell has a breathability of 10,000 g/m²/24 h.
Durability of the material – where the fabric rubs against rock or backpack straps, double-woven DOUBLE WEAVE pays off. It is found in outdoor trousers and shorts (25 models).
Wind protection – waterproof jackets and insulated softshell have high wind resistance, whereas light outdoor trousers have only low.
Weight – 52 models are light in weight. If you count every gram, look for ultralight outdoor shorts.
Drawcords and zips – drawcords for the hood, hem and trouser legs (50 models have them on the legs), hook-and-loop cuffs and ventilation zips (34 models) help adjust the clothing to the weather as you walk.
Reflective details – 66 models have them, which comes in handy when returning from the mountains at dusk.

Technologies and materials

DRYFOR®

A functional fiber that excellently absorbs body moisture and wicks away sweat. Thanks to the micro-grooves on its surface, moisture is efficiently carried to the outer side of the fabric where it evaporates quickly, keeping your skin dry and comfortable. This property allows the material to provide perfect body temperature regulation.

SOFTSHIELD® TERATEX® 10000

Functional outdoor material for demanding outdoor activities. Its main advantages are elasticity, thermal insulation, excellent wind resistance and water resistance, together with perfect breathability. The material is a three-layer laminate in which a suitable combination of materials produces a light, soft, elastic softshell with excellent thermal insulation.

TERATEX® 15000 Membrane Core

Durable membrane fabric, which is highly waterproof and breathable. Easily protects against unpredictable weather. Blocks gusty wind from getting through and excels in water repellency. The product from this fabric is suitable for all challenging and extreme sports activities.

TERATEX® 20000 Membrane Core

Perfect membrane fabric excels in extreme level of waterproofing and breathability. The uncompromising features of the material and durable water repellency protects easily against extreme weather conditions. The intelligent breathability feature offers comfortable heat circulation in any weather. The product made of this fabric is designed for very demanding outdoor activities and all extreme sports activities.

DOUBLE WEAVE

Lightweight, durable material that is specifically double-woven. Its main advantage is high strength, durability and elasticity. Provides excellent resistance to windchills. Of course, it is highly breathable and has quick drying DRYFOR finish and UV protection.

POWERFLEECE

Lightweight, highly elastic material, micro-brushed on the inside for increased thermal insulation and comfort. The outside is smooth and very pleasant to the touch, and it offers excellent thermal insulation and protection against gusty wind.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear on a day hike when the weather changes?

Wear three layers that are easy to add or remove: a base layer or technical T-shirt, a mid-layer and a light waterproof jacket. The temperature drops by roughly 0.6 °C for every 100 metres of altitude, so it is noticeably colder on a ridge than in the valley, which is why you should take a mid-layer even in summer. For the legs, choose light outdoor shorts or trousers depending on the temperature.

What water column is enough for hiking in the rain?

10,000 mm is enough for shorter trips and the occasional shower; for full-day hikes in the mountains and persistent rain, choose 15,000–20,000 mm. NORDBLANC waterproof jackets with a TERATEX® membrane have a water column of 8,000–20,000 mm, most often 15,000 mm, and SOFTSHIELD® 10000 softshell has 10,000 mm. Read the value together with taped seams and waterproof zips, through which water would otherwise get in.

Low-cut or high boots for hiking?

Low-cut boots are lighter and suit shorter routes and firm paths; high boots support the ankle and help on uneven terrain and with a heavier backpack. NORDBLANC offers leather outdoor boots in both versions, women’s and men’s, with a TERAGRIP sole reinforced in the arch and heel. Try boots on in the afternoon, in the same socks you will wear hiking, leaving a little room for your toes.

What warmth is enough for a winter hike?

For most winter hikes, clothing rated down to −10 °C is usually enough, because you warm up as you walk and make up the rest with layers. Of the 45 models in the category with a stated warmth, 29 are rated down to −10 °C, 15 down to 0 °C and one down to −20 °C on NORDBLANC’s indicative warmth scale. For longer stops on a ridge or in harder frost, add a warm mid-layer under the jacket.