Take a peek inside CU Denver's new Outside Lab for gear testing

Inside a classroom at the University of Colorado Denver, two hiking boots spin on a machine and land on a treadmill in constant rotation. Thump, thump, thump.

State of play: The Heeluxe Time Machine is testing the boots' durability, simulating a 180-pound person walking 150 miles over a few days.

---

It's part of the new Outside Lab at CU Denver , a state-launched initiative to test products and materials for outdoor gear companies and improve product reviews for consumers.

Why it matters: The lab is designed to help outdoor recreation companies in Colorado, particularly smaller ones with fewer resources, develop better products and succeed in a competitive marketplace.

• The initial $450,000 in funding came from the state's economic development and outdoor recreation offices to boost the state's image as a hub for the industry .

What they're saying: "It's a public space for the betterment of the outdoor recreation industry when it comes to gear," says Adam Trenkamp, Outside's lab test editor.

The big picture: Operated in partnership with Boulder-based Outside Interactive , the company behind Outside, Run and Backpacker magazines, the lab is one of a handful across the country dedicated to testing outdoor gear.

• Where most are specialized in certain disciplines or materials, the CU lab hopes to become the larger facility that tests all types of products, says Dana Carpenter, a mechanical engineering professor who leads it. The revenue from gear testing will keep the lab operational.
• It's also building a master's program around the research.

Between the lines: For Outside, the lab will provide objective data to supplement its expert field review and allow more precise tests for real-world use cases.

• "That's why Outside is excited about the lab. … People today are distrusting of bigger media brands so we want to add some science behind it to support what we are doing," Trenkamp adds.

The Heeluxe Time Machine tests hiking boots for wear and tear over 150 miles on a treadmill. Photo: John Frank/Axios

The intrigue: Because there are few industry standards when it comes to product testing, many of the research protocols and methodologies are being invented by the lab's managers.

Zoom in: On a recent weekday, Trenkamp and lab workers planned to develop a testing protocol for a bike pad that goes on a truck's tailgate; run water-based abrasion resistance experiments; and examine battery life and brightness for headlamps.

• "We're trying to inform people and make products better," Trenkamp says.

What's next: Next is testing bikes for pedal grip and brake function. By the fall, the lab hopes to feature machines to test ski flex tester and backpack loads.

• And all along, the Time Machine will continue spinning, testing more running shoes and hiking boots one thump at a time.