The Pill Base Camp Summer Edition, Finalborgo

On Sunday 26 and Monday 27 June, 2022, Finalborgo hosted our The Pill Base Camp. For a first edition, the numbers are astounding: 131 outdoor stores have tested and inspected the Spring Summer 2023 products of 52 brands. 

Product tests, presentations, talks and many other activities but there was more, including races at sunrise and sunset with colleagues and friends, live music, aperitifs and a decidedly outdoor friendly climate, let’s say a “The Pill” atmosphere. All this under a clear blue sky and breathing the sea air, feelings that only the outdoors can give us. What framed us was one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy, which interacted perfectly with us and our guests.

We did it again. The winter version of The Pill Base Camp in Pila was definitely not enough for us, on the contrary it encouraged us not to stop and to propose a summer version after just a little more than 4 months. Finalborgo proved to be a new home for outdoor enthusiasts and experts, welcoming us warmly and hosting us right at the entrance of the village, in front of the medieval Porta Testa located in the square that bears the same name.

It’s time to go. It’s 9 am, on the hot Sunday of June 26th. The scent of Ligurian focaccia coming from the gates of the Borgo calls us to the village like a muse, we eat breakfast electrified by the desire to start the day, just like the first buyers who gather at the entrance to get accredited and to start testing as soon as possible the news of the 2023 Spring Summer collections. At each accreditation, we take care to welcome everyone by telling what awaits them: talks, comparisons, presentations, but above all many tests related to the world of running, hiking and climbing, all within reach, as they say. In fact, a few meters from The Pill village, there are trails for incredible walks, breathtaking runs and cliffs to climb: the only common element is the arrival at the top with a sea view (not that bad!). The tests are free, but for the less solitary people we have organized a series of running sessions with The Pill’s crew and many others with the brands present.

Thanks to our main sponsor Komoot we have always run safely without getting lost, which allowed us to discover the nature of Finale in complete tranquility. During the event we recommended three routes, all previously traced on the Komoot app by our editorial team in total comfort (for those who want, there are many excellent proposals from other users relating to the area but ours are cooler!). The first of our tours (1km – 0 D +) was proposed to introduce the most interesting streets and corners of the village, leaving the opportunity to try the products without any elevation gain. The second one (2km – 90 D +) includes a trail in nature up to the Gavone Castle, while the third one (6km – 280 D +) has been developed for the more experienced runners, for lovers of fatigue who want to conquer an enchanting panorama with a sea view.

At The Pill Base Camp we had the opportunity to perceive the comings and goings of buyers, a constant exchange between people who return sweaty and with swollen calves and others who, before leaving, allow themselves a moment to study the first feelings of the product worn. The day went by quickly, amidst the curiosities arising from the two 70s caravans at the entrance (ours and the one of the Alba Optics guys) up to the more technical presentations of some brands. The light started to go down together with the heat: the golden hour began to approach. The hour called us for an aperitif and just at the same moment we heard music coming from the center of the village: Boris & Chico’s live has begun. The two musicians managed to help create the classic The Pill mood, with covers of songs made with guitar and harmonica. Accompanying the live performance, there were many cans of beer by Tecnica and pasta with Ligurian pesto from Niasca, according to many one of the best pesto ever tasted. In this moment of relaxation, all the participants in the village were able to do what we most wanted to happen: confrontation, laughters, chatters. Although apparently trivial, together with the tests, the comparison is for us the beating heart of this event, what most involves people, which makes the business grow and which allows everyone to improve, whether it is the performance of a product or the sales techniques. Themes such as sustainability, the future of the sector, new technologies and materials, the demands of the end consumers, but also the difficulties of brands in producing and distributing or selling in stores were the focus of discussions between colleagues.

The following Monday started before the village opened with a sea view morning run led by the entire The Pill crew (yes, in addition to writing we also run for real). Then, as soon as the doors opened, the turnout of buyers and professionals in the sector became even more important than the day before. The day was again interspersed with tests, comparisons and lots of chatter. After the last tests, the The Pill crew and the exhibitors began to tear down what had been our home for two days, satisfied with the work done and ready to return to the office, with a bit of melancholy in leaving the magical place of Finalborgo, just a few hundred meters from the sea.

We would like to thank our faithful friends of Komoot who support us everywhere and always guide us in the most hidden routes of our mountains, the hospitality and trust of Finalborgo and Finaleoutdoor, without which this edition would not have existed, all the buyers present and their curiosity and finally all the companies that, despite being the first edition, participated and made The Pill Base Camp possible.

See you on Sunday 22 and Monday 23 January for The Pill Base Camp Winter Edition and Sunday 11 and Monday 12 June, 2023, for the summer edition.

Which location? There will be big surprises shortly.

Living life in nature