BLACK DIAMOND

Black Diamond: a brief biography

Forged in the glacial valleys of Yosemite, Black Diamond was developed with the fearsome Sierra Nevada mountains and later the Wasach range in mind. It was the 1950s when acclaimed climber Yvon Chouinard, a forefront figure of Yosemite's “Golden Age,� started to design and manufacture handmade pitons. From these humble origins would spring Black Diamond, a company dedicated to rock climbing and skiing. In recent years, Black Diamond has expanded into Europe and Asia, bringing American optimism and independence to new audiences.

The Gear

Black Diamond is focused on three main areas: climbing, skiing, and hiking. A generalist, the company offers a broad range of apparel, equipment, and accessories. From climbing chalk to crampons, from avalanche protection to skis, from tents to headlamps, from jackets to boots, Black Diamond has it covered. Most Black Diamond kits are priced in the lower-to-middle of the market, but still manage to offer quality and durability. Rather than being known for a particular iconic range, Black Diamond has something in every style and colour imaginable. From ‘burnt olive' to ‘heathered aluminium', it offers dozens of types of tanks, tops, hoodies, fleeces, shorts, waterproofs, pants, socks, hats, beanies, and more. If you can imagine it, Black Diamond probably make it.

Climbing high

Staying true to its roots, Black Diamond continues to invest in climbing gear. Aimed at entry-level climbers, its shoes offer a safe, comfortable, durable option, whether you're aiming to scale a climbing wall or whether you're heading out to the cliffs. Simple, straightforward, and reliable, Black Diamond's climbing range is a good place to start if you're curious about the sport.

Camping out

Outdoors equipment is a particularly strong point for the brand. Best-sellers include the popular Firstlight lightweight all-season tent, developed to withstand the Utah terrain. Once again, Black Diamond has you covered for every eventuality. From medical kits to pillow liners, from self-charging lanterns to bug deterrents, every eventuality is catered for. Most recently, charging stations have been added to the product list, and USB charging and storage capabilities are being added to an increasing range of camping products, bringing twenty-first-century practicality to the camping experience. Like its apparel, Black Diamond focuses upon products that are simple, no-nonsense solutions to the demands of the great outdoors.