In the framework of its funding instruments and pursuing to its mission of supporting the Swiss polar and high-altitude research community, the Swiss Polar Institute offers access to protective clothing and gear for fieldwork in polar and high-altitude regions to its grantees thanks to partnerships with specialised suppliers. The below guidelines explain how to benefit from this exclusive service.
Guidelines to acquire protective clothing for fieldwork
To benefit from our exclusive service, please pay attention to the following guidelines:
- When applying for an SPI grant, the need for protective clothing and/or gear must be duly justified.
- You can include in your SPI grant application budget a maximum CHF1000 per field participant for personal equipment and/or gear.
- For the request to be considered, the personal equipment and gear must
- be selected only from the SPI catalogues below;
- be ordered directly from our partners;
- be branded with the SPI logo according to the instructions below;
- be ordered for your project's field participants only.
Should your approved project include a budget for protective clothing/gear from one of our catalogues, please contact SPI Secretariat () to finalise the purchase.
Branding the clothing and gear items with the SPI logo
SPI logo placement:
| Position | Specific placement |
| Chest | Left chest: SPI Logo Right chest: Project logo (if applicable) Should sit comfortably above the pocket line. |
| Full back | SPI Logo only Across the shoulders but placed low enough to not be covered by a hood |
| Sleeve (Upper arm) | Right sleeve: SPI Logo Left sleeve: Project Logo (if applicable). If several logos, SPI Logo always on top. Horizontal placement. Keep compact to avoid wrapping around the arm. |
| Nape of neck | SPI Logo only. Only for sleeveless gilets (vests) without hoods. |
| Leg (Thigh/Pocket) | SPI Logo only. Left front thigh or side pocket. Scale to the pocket or panel size |
| Front panel | SPI Logo only. For backpacks only. Use of SPI single-line logo allowed in certain cases. |
Allowed combinations:
Outerlayers (hardshell jackets and coats): Left chest + right sleeve + big back
Midlayers (fleece, shoftshell, long-sleeve tops): Right sleeve + left chest
Gilets (vests; without sleeves and hood): Left chest + nape of neck
Logo printing/embroidering agency:
The printing/embroidering of SPI logo is done directly by our partner Caméléon Rouvinet Sàrl in Sierre. The branding costs CHF50 per logo.
Browse the SPI Catalogues
SPI Catalogue at Helly Hansen
The workwear line of Helly Hansen provides robust and durable clothing for professional outdoor use. All articles in the catalogue are available for order with short lead times. In addition, the retail partner CE-Pro has a limited stock of common sizes on site in Sion to try them on before committing to the purchase.
All prices indicated in the catalogues are before applying 8.1% VAT. One should apply a 15% discount to prices indicated in the catalogue.
SPI Catalogue at EXPED
Innovative EXPED equipment for demanding outdoors applications. Most articles are available in stock but longer lead times should be anticipated for bulk orders, especially for sleeping bags.
All prices indicated at the back of the catalogue are before applying 8.1% VAT. One should apply a 35% discount to the indicated prices.
SPI Catalogue at Mammut
Limited number and sizes of mountaineering equipment for demanding weather conditions. Warehouse stocks have to be verified first. The exact model is subject to availability, replacements can be suggested.
All prices indicated in the catalogues are before applying 8.1% VAT. One should apply a 30% discount to prices indicated in the catalogue.