Redesigning the backpack experience.

Even a backpack can hold a world of technology — and from a backpack, a strong partnership between a company and the Politecnico di Torino can be born.
This is the story of the collaboration between Ferrino S.p.A., a historic brand in outdoor clothing and equipment, and the Politecnico di Torino, which led to the filing of a joint patent for a backpack designed and engineered to enhance user comfort and performance.

The collaboration was developed through the Comfort Lab, part of the Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT) and coordinated by Professor Ada Ferri. The lab focuses on sportswear and equipment, particularly on heat exchange between the human body and the environment. Located at the Biella campus, the Comfort Lab is equipped with a climatic chamber that allows researchers to simulate diverse environmental conditions and test materials. Scientifically, its work is grounded in chemical engineering principles developed within DISAT.

“We applied our knowledge of heat transfer mechanisms to the human body under physical effort,” explains Professor Ferri, “focusing on how prolonged backpack use affects thermal response. Our research centred on auxetic materials, which expand laterally when stretched longitudinally. This property, achieved through specific cuts in the foams used in shoulder straps and hip belts, enhances comfort and load distribution.”

The study also involved redesigning the backpack’s back panel to improve ventilation. By combining auxetic material behavior with a new ergonomic structure, researchers and designers achieved a product significantly more comfortable than traditional models. Two key goals were met: improving back breathability and redistributing load over a wider surface area.

“Ferrino has always focused on continuous product innovation,” says Marco Chiaberge, Product Design and Development Manager at Ferrino. “With Politecnico di Torino, we began a journey of product validation and development. Thanks to the research team’s expertise and the climatic chamber in Biella, we were able to gather data, replicate comparable use conditions, and define clear testing protocols. Validation used to rely only on professionals’ feedback — this collaboration made it objective and scientific.”

The project began in 2020 and unfolded in three phases. First, researchers conducted a market screening, comparing Ferrino backpacks with competitors’ products under standardized protocols. They analyzed back-panel fabrics and materials, which must ensure both breathability and quick drying. Next, they developed design improvements for more high-performance backs, with input from Professor Martino Colonna of the University of Bologna, an expert in padded materials. For the shoulder straps, the team shifted from pre-molded and perforated padding to auxetic structures, resulting in a backpack that effectively reduces body heat under strain — meaning less sweat, fewer calories consumed, and greater efficiency.

“Our new model, Hikemasters, was launched in summer 2024” adds Chiaberge.

Beyond the joint patent, the division of roles was clear and productive: Ferrino managed prototyping and contributed its field expertise, while the Politecnico di Torino and the University of Bologna provided advanced research on auxetic structures and conducted extensive testing on materials and final prototypes.

“The collaboration will certainly continue,” concludes Chiaberge. “Whenever a new opportunity arises, we’ll be happy to work again with Politecnico di Torino — a competent and reliable partner for tackling complex technological challenges.”