Our design process is simple: test, observe, refine, repeat. But this loop doesn't happen in an office. It happens in the high-alpine terrain of the French and Italian Alps, where we live and ride year-round.
This is where real feedback happens. Not in meetings, but in motion. A zipper that won't grab when you're wearing gloves. A fastener that loosens after hours of vibration. A fabric that clings when you're sweating uphill. These aren't design flaws. They are our field notes, and they lead to better design and materials.
From Field Note to Final Material
A field note is just the beginning. We believe the best gear comes from balancing two things: what we feel in the field and what we know from the lab.
Our field test is all about real-world experience. A lab can't tell you that a zipper pull is annoying with gloves, or that a fabric feels clammy after <strong>10 hours</strong>. Our field testing finds these problems. Then, the lab test gives us the hard facts. It validates what we feel by providing hard numbers. The lab can prove why a frame felt brittle by showing it shatters at <strong>-10°C</strong>. We use the field to find the right problems, and the lab to find the right solutions.
- On Fabrics: That "clinging" field note is a perfect example. We found many synthetics feel plastic and clammy in mixed conditions. This led us to performance <strong>Merino wool</strong>. Its fiber structure is a natural technical marvel. It actively pulls moisture vapor away from the skin before it becomes liquid sweat, making it exceptionally moisture-wicking. It can absorb significant moisture without feeling wet to the touch, and it thermoregulates across a huge range of conditions. We also explore other natural fibers, like <strong>Tencel (Lyocell)</strong>, for their cool touch and sustainable footprint. We then blend these with man-made performance fibers from mills like <strong>Mitti SPA</strong> to create hybrids. This gives us the best of both: the natural comfort of wool or Tencel with the rapid dry-time and durability of a synthetic.
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On Hardware:
A note about equipment failing on impact or loosening from vibration forces us to find better polymers. This is why our goggle frames are made from <strong>TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)</strong>. We chose it primarily for its safety and fit. Unlike rigid plastics that transfer energy during a crash, TPU has high impact absorption. It absorbs the shock rather than transferring it to the rider. Its exceptional elasticity also means the frame naturally flexes to mold to your face, creating a gap-free seal that stays comfortable even on long, vibrating rides. Furthermore, it is temperature stable. While standard plastics can become brittle in shifting weather, TPU maintains its soft, flexible properties even in the cold, ensuring safety year-round.
For our eyewear, we use Swiss-made <strong>Grilamid TR90</strong>. This is a premier memory nylon, chosen for its unique combination of extreme durability and featherlight density. Unlike polycarbonate, which can fatigue and snap, TR90 has "structural memory." It can flex under heavy pressure—like being stuffed in a pack or taking a hard impact—and instantly return to its original shape without warping. It is also highly resistant to chemical stress. While sweat, sunscreen, and UV exposure eventually degrade standard plastics, causing them to crack or lose their fit, TR90 remains unaffected. This ensures the frame holds the lens securely and stays comfortable on your face over the course of many seasons.
The Result: Gear Shaped by Our Reality
This is gear shaped by the terrain, weather, and the effort it’s built for.
We are a team of elite mountain bike riders. Our spring, summer, and fall are spent on the European <strong>UCI race circuit</strong>, competing in high-alpine terrain across countries like Italy, Switzerland, and France. Our winters are spent in <strong>Alagna Valsesia</strong>, a place known as the "Freeride Paradise." From our base here, we ski tour and test on the Monte Rosa massif, giving us direct access to a network of <strong>4000-meter peaks</strong> and connections that stretch all the way to Cervinia and Zermatt.
Product development for us is a continuous feedback loop. We test our gear and food systems on multi-day, hut-to-hut expeditions and in race environments demanding all-day output for several days in a row. These high-wear, high-consequence situations reveal any weakness. That feedback is what drives our refinement process and validates every design and material choice.