Trekking equipment

Our Philosophy: Adventure and Comfort, Made in France

At Cilao, we are passionate about outdoor adventure, whether it's a day hike or an ambitious multi-day trek. Our "Trekking and Hiking Equipment" category is designed to accompany you on all your explorations, with an emphasis on quality and comfort. One thing we're particularly proud of is that all our hiking backpacks are manufactured in France.

We know that a backpack isn't just a container; it's a companion that should be forgotten so you can fully enjoy your experience. That's why we've developed patented technologies that make a difference.

Revolutionary Carrying System for Optimal Comfort During Your Treks

Carrying comfort is at the heart of our trekking and hiking backpack design. We've particularly focused on the ergonomics of our trekking backpacks. Two of our key technologies contribute greatly to this:

• The MOOV® articulated hip belt: This innovative belt allows the pack to move with your movements, ensuring the backpack stays firmly in place on your back. It prevents the load from dropping onto your shoulders and allows you to always carry the weight on your hips, whether going uphill or downhill.
• Double-strand shoulder straps: They are designed to better distribute the load. This prevents uncomfortable pressure points, regardless of how much your pack weighs.

These technologies respect your body's natural movements, offering exceptional comfort, even after long hours of walking. As one user who has tried many hiking packs says, "it's super comfortable because it moves with me" and the pack "is always in the right place on my back." Some of our customers who used to have back pain with other packs have found our models particularly comfortable, with one even saying it's "the most comfortable type of pack in my life."

Our Range of Hiking Backpacks: The Omega and the Ermitage

Our collection for trekking and hiking includes several models, designed to meet different needs and adventure durations.

The Omega Packs:

Available in volumes of 20, 30, and 40 liters, Omega packs are designed to be compact, ultra-light, and ergonomic. They are about 25-30% lighter than a classic trekking pack. Perfect for day hiking, they're also suitable for ultra-light multi-day trips or longer routes requiring self-sufficiency and bivouacking. One user particularly appreciates their comfort, even at the end of the day. They also note that the pack stays firmly in place, and that the bottom part is flexible ("this bottom part is completely flexible"). If the pack isn't completely full, this part can be rolled up, and if it's filled, it "takes up the necessary volume without getting in the way." The top access is very practical for quickly grabbing something without having to empty everything. The zipper for this access is waterproof, which is an advantage "even if it rains, water doesn't get in."

The Ermitage Hiking Backpacks:

We offer Ermitage models in 47 and 57 liters. These packs are specifically designed for long hikes and treks requiring great autonomy. Aurélien Chantraine, an outdoor photographer, chose the Ermitage 47 for his multi-week mountain reporting, as he needed minimalist equipment that could withstand bad weather. Despite its capacity, the Ermitage 47 is relatively light, weighing only 1 kg 240. Aurélien easily fits all his hiking and photography equipment in it. He highlights the excellent carrying comfort offered by its ergonomic back, articulated belt, and double-strand shoulder straps. He thus discovered a pack that offers him "great freedom of movement both on descents and ascents." The Ermitage has become his "ideal companion for long-distance treks requiring great autonomy." One of his "favorite features" is its large L-shaped opening that allows easy access to the bottom of the pack. He uses the 10-liter front pocket for his camera and the elastic side pockets to store his tent. After traveling across many continents, he can affirm that "Cilao packs are definitely not like other packs."

Complementary Equipment for Your Hikes

Beyond our backpacks, we also offer accessories designed to complement your hiking and trekking equipment. In this category, you'll find rain protection covers, bottle holders, removable flask carriers, as well as other accessories such as clips and straps.

Choosing Cilao equipment for your hikes and treks means opting for products made in France, designed for exceptional carrying comfort thanks to our patented technologies like the MOOV® belt and double-strand shoulder straps, and outstanding durability. Whether you're heading out for a light day trip or a long self-sufficient expedition, we have the right pack to make your adventure a most comfortable experience.

Frequently Asked Questions - Cilao Hiking and Trekking Equipment

We are delighted to present our range of equipment designed for your outdoor adventures. If you have questions, you may find the answers below!

What is the "Trekking and Hiking Equipment" category at Cilao?

This category includes our equipment specially designed for outdoor adventure enthusiasts, whether for day hikes or multi-day treks. We offer our mountain backpacks as well as complementary accessories.

Where are your trekking and hiking backpacks manufactured?

All our Cilao backpacks are made in France. This is a strong commitment for us.

What makes Cilao backpacks so comfortable for trekking?

Carrying comfort is a major priority for us. Our packs benefit from ergonomic design and incorporate patented technologies. The two key elements are our MOOV® articulated belt and our double-strand shoulder straps. We work to ensure the pack respects your movements and is forgotten on your back.

How does the MOOV® articulated belt work?

The MOOV® belt is designed to move with you. It allows for good weight distribution on your hips, thus preventing the weight from resting solely on your shoulders, whether you're going uphill or downhill. The belt stays firmly in place so you can always carry the weight on your hips. One user testifies: "it's super comfortable because it moves with me" and "the pack stays firmly in place on my back and it's really comfortable when moving."

What is the advantage of double-strand shoulder straps?

Our double-strand shoulder straps help to better distribute the load on your shoulders. They prevent uncomfortable pressure points that can occur with classic straps, thus contributing to better overall comfort.

What do users say about the carrying comfort of Cilao packs?

We have received very good feedback on comfort. One user who has tried "quite a few packs" found ours "super comfortable because it moves with me" and that the pack "is always in the right place on [his] back," "whether [his] pack [is] very loaded or not very loaded." A person who often has back pain even described one of our packs as "the most comfortable type of pack in my life." Aurélien Chantraine, an outdoor photographer, was "really amazed" by the excellent carrying comfort of his Ermitage, thus discovering a pack offering "great freedom of movement both on descents and ascents."

Which backpack models do you offer in this category?

Our main range for trekking and hiking includes Omega packs and Ermitage packs.

• Omega packs are available in 20, 30, and 40 liters.
• Ermitage packs are available in 47 and 57 liters.

What uses are Omega packs suitable for?

Omega packs (20, 30, 40L) are designed to be compact, ultra-light, and ergonomic. They are ideal for hiking, whether in summer or winter. Being about 25-30% lighter than a classic trekking pack, they are perfect for short hikes, multi-day hikes in ultra-light mode, or longer routes requiring self-sufficiency and bivouacking. They offer constant comfort "even at the end of the day." One user particularly appreciates the flexible bottom part that "takes up the necessary volume without getting in the way" and the practical top access with a waterproof zipper.

For what type of hikes are Ermitage packs designed?

Ermitage packs (47, 57) are perfect for long journeys requiring great autonomy. The Ermitage 47 model is the "ideal companion" for long-distance treks, chosen notably by an outdoor photographer for his multi-week mountain reporting requiring minimalist and weather-resistant equipment. Despite its capacity, the Ermitage 47 is relatively light (1 kg 240). It allows easy storage of hiking and photography equipment. Its large L-shaped opening allows easy access to the bottom of the pack. It also has a 10-liter front pocket and elastic side pockets.

What other equipment can be found in the "Trekking and Hiking Equipment" category?

In addition to our backpacks, you will find accessories designed to complement your equipment. This includes rain protection covers, bottle holders, removable flask carriers, clips, straps, or even zippered pouches.

How do I choose the right backpack volume for my hike or trek?

The choice of volume depends on the duration of your adventure and your level of autonomy.

• For day or half-day hiking, a pack between 10 and 30 liters is generally sufficient, like our Omega 20 or 30L.
• For multi-day hiking in ultra-light mode (with very light and compact equipment), a pack of 20 to 30 liters may be suitable, like our Omega 20 or 30L.
• For classic semi-autonomous hiking (e.g., overnight in a lodge, meals provided), a pack of 30 to 40 liters is recommended to carry clothes and a light sleeping bag, like our Omega 30 or 40L.
• For long journeys requiring great autonomy (carrying a tent, sleeping gear, food for several days/weeks), you need a larger pack, from 40 to 60 liters. Our Ermitage 47 and 57 liter packs are perfectly suited to these needs, allowing you to carry everything necessary for autonomy.
• Packs of 70 liters and more are generally reserved for more specific uses such as expeditions (we do not currently offer these volumes in this category). Remember that a pack that's too big is often a pack that's too heavy! You can also share equipment if you're with others.

Do you have any tips for optimizing comfort with my Cilao pack?

Yes, once you have the right pack, remember to adjust it properly. The adjustments of the belt and shoulder straps are essential for the pack to perfectly fit your back and for the load to be well distributed.

Do your packs come with a warranty?

Yes, our products come with a 2-year warranty. We also offer a repair service.

I still have questions, how can I contact you?

Don't hesitate to contact us directly if you need information or advice to choose your equipment. All our contact details are available on our website.

We hope this FAQ will be useful for discovering our range of trekking and hiking packs!