Gear Review: Nimsdai Trekking Trousers and Merino Crewneck

There is a particular pleasure in discovering outdoor clothing that doesn’t make you look as though you’ve just escaped from a high-altitude expedition. Much of modern trekking gear is technically impressive but can be over-engineered, covered in pockets and straps, and designed for conditions most of us will never encounter.

Nimsdai takes a rather more intelligent approach, producing clothing that is built for serious outdoor use but works equally well when the day’s walking ends and the mountains become scenery rather than an obstacle. The range includes technical waterproof jackets and trousers, down jackets, trekking trousers and baselayers.

The brand has an obvious pedigree. Nimsdai Purja was best known for his extraordinary mountaineering achievements, including climbing all fourteen of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in record time. His name therefore comes with a formidable association with high-altitude adventure. The interesting question is whether that experience translates into clothing suitable for the day to day.

Trekking Trousers £120

The first thing I notice about the trekking trousers is that they feel like proper walking trousers. Crafted from a highly breathable, lightweight, 70D nylon 4-way stretch fabric, they repel light rain and wind. There’s also enough stretch to allow unrestricted movement, whether doing outdoor hiking or heading into town.

The cut is practical without being baggy and zips on the hem open into a wider leg. There are also concealed gaiter anchor points for those wetter days. Nimsdai’s five pocket design keeps things sensible, providing useful storage without turning the trousers into a walking version of a tool belt. They’re also deep enough for essentials such as a phone, wallet or trail snacks

Weather is, of course, the great test of trekking clothing. No trousers are going to replace waterproof overtrousers in sustained heavy rain, but the fabric provides useful protection against light showers and damp vegetation. More importantly, they dry reasonably quickly, a useful feature when you’re travelling or caught in a shower.

I particularly appreciate the versatility. These are trousers for walking rather than simply for one particular kind of expedition. They are equally at home on a woodland trail, a long-distance path or just roaming around town, making them useful for travellers who don’t want to pack a separate wardrobe for every activity.

Crewneck Merino Top 250 £100

If the trekking trousers are the workhorse, the crewneck merino top is the quietly clever piece of the pair. Merino wool has become something of a miracle fabric for outdoor enthusiasts, and for good reason. It’s warm without being excessively heavy, regulates temperature surprisingly well and, crucially for travellers, doesn’t get smelly.

The Nimsdai crewneck takes advantage of those qualities while keeping the design refreshingly simple. Made from 100% merino, 19.5 micron / 250gsm, it looks like an ordinary, well-cut sweater rather than an aggressively technical base layer. The fabric feels soft against the skin and provides a reassuring amount of warmth without bulk.

I can wear it beneath a waterproof jacket during a chilly morning walk, but it will also pass perfectly well in a café, restaurant or hotel bar afterwards. The real test of merino, however, comes after prolonged use. Synthetic fabrics can quickly become less than fragrant after repeated exertion, whereas merino has natural odour-resistant properties.

There is something satisfying about the simplicity of the crewneck. Outdoor fashion has become increasingly complicated, with garments often covered in logos, zips and technical detailing. This is much more discreet. It looks like clothing rather than equipment.

Verdict

Outdoor clothing should make an adventure easier, not become the adventure itself. Nimsdai gets that distinction right. The trekking trousers are comfortable, flexible and robust enough for serious walking, while the crewneck merino top is the sort of versatile garment that earns its place in any travelling bag. They’re not cheap but the quality is worth the price.

See more products at the Nimsdai Store.

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