Outdoor Laboratories

The materials and prototypes are studied and field tested under the most extreme and demanding conditions so as to obtain vital indications of improvements to be made that will result in absolute quality.
Methodology is part of the UNI ISO 9001 procedure of the Ferrino Quality system.

Quintino Sella Refuge, Italy , 3585 m
In the Aosta Valley, on slope of Mount Rosa, this laboratory is operational from July to August for the testing of new materials and products, as well as backpack, tents, sleeping bag, and garment prototypes.

The tests are open to all: in fact, mountaineers and hikers who wish to participate in the testing may make their contribution by visiting the lab and trying out newly-developed HL technology on site.

The Quintino Sella Refuge can be reached on foot in two and a half hours from the arrival of the Gressoney cableway, first by following a trail and continuing to the crest with chains.
For information and booking: Tel. 0125/366113

Duration: - Summer (July – August)
Technical Director – Manager of the Quintino Sella Refuge
Coordinator of testing at the Refuge – Adriano Favre
Ferrino Technical Director – Marco Chiaberge

The High Lab work flow at the Quintino Sella Refuge
The centre of all operations is the Sella refuge, where an operator capable of guaranteeing and meeting a variety of responsibilities is always present:
- controlling material wear daily
- welcoming and offering assistance to excursionists who wish to participate in the testing.
- carrying out technical measurements and completing questionnaires on the results recorded
- recording data on the effects of exterior and interior climatic variations on tents and sleeping bags several times over a 24-hour period

Naica Caves, Mexico, - 290m
The special Tolomea suit designed by Ferrino allows speleologists of La Venta to resist for eighty minutes in the red-hot caverns of the Cueva De Los Cristales, in the underground of the Sierra di Naica.

Everest, HIMALAYAS between China and Nepal , more than 5000m
Ferrino High Lab tests for tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags were conducted at the Base Camp (5000 m) and at the advanced Base Camp (6400 m).

Aconcagua, ANDES, Argentina, 4320 m
The field testing on tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags are conducted at Plaza de Mulas, in the Andes of Argentina.

Lagorai, ALPS, Italy , 2000 m
Trekking products are subjected to experimentation in the largest chain of mountains in Trentino Alto Adige. The testing is done during both summer and winter, with two or three days of trekking in total self-sufficiency along the impractical ridges of the Logorai. Night are obviously spent in tents. A demanding test capable of offering authentic thrills immersed in a wild and uncontaminated environment.

La Mejie, ALPS, France , 2508 m
Tent and sleeping bags are tested in the splendid and suggestive setting of the La Mejie, at the E.Chancel Refuge (France).