R&D MINUTE

 

 

Since its creation in 2018, Samaya has focused on the design of ultra-technical, lightweight tents to support users in their mountain travels. Today, Samaya is diversifying its product range with products dedicated to climbing, always with the same desire to best serve users in their experiences.

 

Climbing is a demanding discipline that requires equipment of absolute reliability. This is why our team and the athletes of the Samaya Family mobilize to perform exhaustive field tests, in addition to laboratory simulations.

 

Once the first prototypes of the multipitch gear bag were manufactured, the Research and Development team mobilized to carry out full-scale tests in the field. Thus, for several months before its launch, back-and-forth trips between the cliff and the Annecy workshop allowed for the product to be refined.

 

Arriving at the base of the face, Ghislain Pipers, co-founder of Samaya and former climbing athlete, and Adrien Guillon, Head of Product Development and Marketing, roped up and took with them what would become the Samaya BELAY20. They chose a multi-pitch route graded up to 8a to test several of the product’s properties: abrasion resistance and lightness, as well as practicality and ease of use.

 

Once back down, Ghislain and Adrien shared their approach with us.

 

Why are field tests an important step in the product design process?

Ghislain Pipers: Field tests, conducted in-house by our team, are one of the backbones of our commitment to quality. They embody the spirit of our company where passion and innovation merge.

 

You are developing a new range of products dedicated to climbing. What does this mean for Samaya?

GP: Combining the most cutting-edge innovation possible with the tradition of French craftsmanship is an important focus for Samaya. Developing French expertise has been one of our priorities since Samaya's inception. We are very proud to be able to highlight it through this new range of products optimized for climbing enthusiasts.

 

Your new climbing bags are 100% Made in France. Can you tell us more?

Adrien Guillon: Our climbing bags are designed, manufactured, and tested in France. We want to integrate attention to detail into every step. This internal process allows us to guarantee the quality, performance, and safety of our products, while highlighting our commitment to "Made in France," as the production line for the gear bags is located in Annecy, within our own premises. By performing our tests on-site, we control the entire product chain, from design to manufacturing.

 

Following this full-scale test, what are your impressions and feelings regarding the product?

AG: We reached the same conclusions as Jo Crison, a Samaya Family athlete who supported us in the development of this product. After numerous field tests, the Samaya BELAY20 is "the ideal bag to store and always have the necessary gear for the day within reach," according to Jo. "Placed at the top of the haul bag, it is the bag that will be taken out and clipped quickly upon reaching the belay station, to have the essentials available to the rope team. With the National Mountaineering Teams and the Roc Aventure Programme, the Samaya BELAY20 also served as an auxiliary haul bag during route opening, to move gear or resupply the leader during a pitch. Its volume, handles, and resistance were perfect for that."