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Abstract
The search to lighten material is a major trend accompanying the development of several sports and recreational mountain practices (ski touring, trail running, fast hiking, etc). Such characteristics as lightness, technicality, and durability are not easy to combine for the designers. Two emblematic inventions of this successful equation have drawn our attention (a climbing harness, and a backpack). We undertook a sociological analysis of these innovatory trajectories: in a socio-technical perspective, 15 semi-directive interviews have been conducted with partakers of the two innovations. Our results point out the complexity and unpredictability of such processes. These inventions are approved in the restricted circle of experienced outdoor professionals and practitioners; but in spite of this recognition, their attaining the status of innovation can be subject to debate, because of limited compromises, little broadening of the network, and a clear turn towards restrictive practices.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
1. Observability is the degree to which the results of an innovation are visible to others. Relative advantage is the degree to which an innovation is perceived as better than previously existing ideas and solutions. Trialibility refers to the possibility of experiencing the innovation. Compatibility is about the innovation’s consistency with the existing values, experiences, and needs of potential adopters. Last, non-complexity means that the innovation is perceived as easy to understand and use.
2. With the support of the company Béal.
3. The gear-loops, for example, are minimalist, because in these advisers’ point of view, they are the function of the bag (all the more so as when wearing a jacket, a frequent occurrence on expeditions, accessing harness material is difficult).
4. ‘Our machines work more rapidly (…) we make them work faster (laughter). We establish records; we are very competitive (…) on everything that is less than five minutes in France we are competitive’ (director of the MKM and CiLAO companies).
5. Or 45 euros for the professionals and members of the clubs (FFME – the French Mountaineering and Climbing Federation and CAF – the French Alpine Club…), CiLAO offering a 15% reduction for the professionals (mountain guides, accompaniers), and ten percent for federal licence-holders.
6. One of the most difficult ski mountaineering competition in Europe.
7. After a couple of years later, 50% of mountaineering guides (about 600 clients) will be CiLAO equipped (source: the brand’s internet website).
8. Trabal (Citation2008) highlighted similar resistance to innovation within the kayaking community: a new shape of boat, probably more efficient than the previous ones, was quickly discarded because it was not compatible with the legitimate conception of progress within alpha members of this association…
9. 99 euros for professionals and license-holders (see above).
10. In mountaineering, the summit rucksack is solely used to conclude the last day of ascension.
11. Latour (Citation1996a) underlines the omnipresence of such ‘things’ within swirling trajectories of innovation: originating in an ill-conceived initial idea, they usually constitute a feeble departure point, that fortunately transforms if, and only if, other groups get interested in the project…
12. An adviser had developed the habit of removing his rucksack’s flap. Thus, this practice is not new as many are the mountaineers who ‘remove unused matter’ to lighten their rucksacks … As for the director, he had the idea of a flapless ‘basic rucksack’, having observed during this period when he worked for Millet, users putting the flap in the main pocket to stop it flapping about.
13. One of the three guides was also a rival brand’s technical adviser, very interested in this ultra-light rucksack project, he would later leave the project when the ambiguities in relation to his other engagements became too strong.
14. A seamstress indicated that the rucksack fell backwards, digging into the lower back; in effect the belt was undersized, giving the impression of there being a bar in one’s back (all the weight was in the belt): subsequently the rucksack evolved.
15. Example: a change in the component when a client deplores foam coming away too quickly from the shoulder strap.
16. Implying a new reinforcement of the induction: two coats instead of one inside the rucksack.
17. An example of a related modification: ski-loops were re-conceptualized to prevent the ski tails from colliding with the walkers’ heels on steep slopes.
18. The prototypist evoked a period in the past during which an MKM engineering consultancy employee ‘drew super drawings … It was great because I had everything, things went twice as fast as usual, whereas there I am obliged to do everything on my own (she described the director’s blueprint as being drafted in a few minutes). But I liked it less, I was less implicated (…) I was given something already made, I had nothing to create...' She illustrated the margins of manoeuvre and interpretation necessary for a real appropriation of work (Bernoux Citation2004). More globally, MKM employees indicated their appreciation of the role they were incited to play in the firm including the formulation of constructive remarks (even disturbing) and questioning of existing solutions.
19. Their margin of manoeuvre was at this stage limited: they were occasionally altering the order of operations to allow the continuity of another cut, or opting for a more adapted thread dimension regarding the used material…
20. MKM had a unit of production there.
21. In 2011, Izi 33 was the most expensive of a trial group of twenty-four light approximately 35 l rucksacks (see Carnet d’Aventures, no. 24, June–August 2011).
22. Izi 33 cost 160 euros in 2012, which is at least 30–40% more than the competition (specialized brands). Inflation accounted for the twenty euro increase since 2005, the remaining 10 euros being attributable to the continuing sophistication of the rucksack.
23. From 640 in 2005 to 725 g in 2011, due to the increasingly developed accessorization. It is to be noted that far from the ultra-lightness programme being abandoned it has to some degree been effaced, yielding to Izi 33’s increased technicality and come what may resistance.
24. Ravanel & Co in Chamonix was the first shop to have CiLAO goods on its shelves being at the time the exclusive distributor. This partnership was the output of a successful combined interest: through CiLAO’s atypical and innovatory products, Ravanel & Co. intended to cultivate its specialist image (trail running, ski-touring, the light sector generally), and to distance itself from the more generalist Chamonix shops.
25. What’s more the technical advisers are not chosen in relation to criteria which are favourable to the enlargement of the existing network: ‘Their people skills and good relations we have with them’ (Salesperson).
26. When Oz was marketed in 2003, Camp went one better with an even lighter harness. The ulterior provision by the CiLAO range of the Oz 22 ultra race pro enabled the French brand to claim as its own the lightest harness on the market (82 g).
27. The director of MKM/CiLAO believed that they inspired Petzl who marketed an ultra-light orange fluorescent harness integrating a method of construction (straps with borders) used on Oz. He also thinks his ideas were behind the adding of accessories to Quechua rucksacks (an Oxylane brand who had hitherto ordered several rucksacks from his company).
28. Only one of the nine harnesses in the CiLAO range went further in the lightness and purity programme than Oz: the Oz 22 ultra-race pro (82 g) was only intended for performance-seeking competitors (it also enabled CiLAO to project itself as the manufacturer of the market’s lightest harness, see above). The other seven are intended for less specific usages than Oz.
29. Ravanel & Co. of Chamonix, the principal distributor of CiLAO products, used a sales pitch reflecting Izi 33’s ‘de-specialized’ use: transportability, minimal space requirement, compactable volume, and the rucksack’s foldable nature, were all highlighted. It was no more only about aiming to reach a base camp, but also to reach customers sensitive to less mountainous solutions including ease of storage in the boot, and unencumbered air travel. In fact, the rucksack’s alternative uses seem to have been envisaged more by distributors than the manufacturer, focused on its expert utilisations.