Black Diamond

Black Diamond is all about climbing and skiing. The products made by the mountain sports specialist stand for exceptional performance – but not at the expense of our natural environment.

Black Diamond

Why is Black Diamond a WIR DENKEN UM brand?

From its headquarters in Utah/USA to its dealers and partners, the mountain sports specialist is committed to assuming maximum social and environmental responsibility. As a WIR DENKEN UM brand, Black Diamond stands out in the following ways:

- The company is committed to accountability throughout the supply chain

- It prides itself on ecologically friendly, resource-saving production

- Black Diamond is driving improvements in working conditions at its production sites

Committed to the environment and people

Back in 1972 already, Black Diamond vowed to protect our breathtaking natural environment. Today, the company’s activities are guided by this philosophy more than ever before: “We believe that it is our responsibility to produce the best-possible equipment, but also to go a step further and minimize adverse impacts on the environment.” Thus, the company’s headquarters in Salt Lake City covering 12,000 square meters are highly energy efficient, even boasting their own photovoltaic system. This is supported by extensive recycling of raw materials and waste, which has already saved 1.67 tons of CO2 at the main site. Black Diamond persistently drives compliance with social standards during production. As a founding member of the Outdoor Industry Association “Fair Labor Working Group” in 2005, Black Diamond has helped put a focus on the need to raise awareness of tried and tested methods for meeting social compliance standards in the outdoor industry. The company is also committed to equal rights and integration, both in the outdoors and in our outdoor sports

Black Diamond´s beginnings

Self-reliance is the key. This is exactly what Yvon Chouinard had in mind in the late 1950s, when he began to single-handedly craft pitons for his climbing adventures. Thanks to the great quality, the word of which spread within the scene like a wildfire, Chouinard sold those immediately to his fellow climbers out of the trunk of his car. At the time, he was one of the leading climbers of the early heyday of Yosemite-climbing. What emerged in later years was Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. In 1989, the company was renamed as Black Diamond. Today, Black Diamond is considered as one of the leading brands for high-quality mountaineering equipment – all over the world. Branches in Europe and Asia, such as in Innsbruck and Zhuhai, document this claim.

Helio touring ski: freetouring at its best

Even the ambitious ski tourer will not be able to bypass Black Diamond. The new free-touring philosophy comes into play in the Helio series. This means a generous centre width (here 88 to 116 mm) combined with low weight. Perfect for longer, demanding ascents and powder-oriented downhill fun. Black Diamond also supplies everything else that goes with it: climbing skins, ski boots, poles, avalanche shovel, avalanche probes, airbag backpacks... Black Diamond's goal is to create the best possible equipment for a maximum mountain sports adventure.

Climbing specialist of the very first hour

Of course, the same principle goes for endeavours without skis. Whenever a climber or mountaineer conquers walls and ridges, Black Diamond is way up the ladder. After all, no one makes a fool out of the Americans in terms of climbing hardware. Here also, Black Diamond´s claim is to offer high-end material for all things alpine: from ice climbing to sport climbing, indoors and outdoors alike, from fixed rope routes all the way to rather classic alpine multipitch routes.

Consequently, you are all covered with Black Diamond´s product range: harnesses, carabiners, belaying devices, hexentrics, helmets, leashes, climbing backpacks, crampons, ice screws, and additional climbing accessories. All of this makes Black Diamond a true specialist in the realm of climbing equipment.

Black Diamond´s classics

A few Black Diamond models have become classics and set standards within a very short time. The Black Diamond Couloir climbing harness, for example, or the Black Diamond Vapor climbing helmet, to name just two particularly popular models. They illustrate the Black Diamond philosophy well: high functionality and low weight with an appealing design. You simply notice that the product developers not only have the necessary expertise, but can also implement it impressively for the ambitious amateur athlete.

This mountaineering know-how can also be found within the company´s clothing. Black Diamond is increasingly developing into a full-range supplier of outdoor and mountain sports clothing, which even includes hard and soft shells. Besides gloves, which have been playing an important role within the product range for a long time, Black Diamond fans can now enjoy jackets, pants, shirts, hoodies, and beanies.