The staff of Black Diamond.
Photo courtesy of Black Diamond.
Black Diamond is an outdoor company with roots going back To 1957 when Yvon Chouinard forged pitons by hand and sold them to California climbers. In 1989, Chouinard Equipment was purchased by a group that renamed the company Black Diamond Equipment.
Focused on climbing and skiing, the company is dedicated to equipping adventurers on rock, ice, and snow.
Today, Black Diamond sells apparel, backpacks, shelters, skis, ski boots and bindings, ropes, headlamps, and other outdoor gear around the world. The company employs more than 500 people, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, with offices in Europe and Asia. Black Diamond Equipment is a publicly traded company that is part of the Clarus Corporation, which also owns Pieps and Sierra Bullets.
Longtime Black Diamond President Peter Metcalf is among a group of outdoor industry leaders who advocate strongly for the preservation of public lands in Utah and elsewhere. John Wallbrecht became Black Diamond's president in 2016.
Malcom Daly has been a self-described “floor warrior” at Neptune Mountaineering, in Boulder, Colorado, for years. And sometime back in January, he watched as an older couple—obviously old-school outdoor, in a hobnailboots sort of way—walked into the shop shortly after it ...read more
Keep up by reading Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? Email us at snewsedit@aimmedia.com Marinel de Jesus wants Outdoor Industry Association to take a stand and lead the industry on DEI. Last week at Outdoor Retailer, Alicia Ferreira de Sousa from ...read more
Celebrating groundbreaking achievements in outdoor gear, the inaugural Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards honored new products that change the way we adventure outdoors. From sustainable solutions to revolutionary creations, 20 distinguished judges with backgrounds in retail, ...read more
You've probably found that while headlamps are the best for navigating in the dark, lanterns are best for lighting up camp. Whether you prioritize lumen strength, longevity, weight, or versatility, we want to know which brand shines brighter the rest. Take our other poll: Who ...read more
Nearly three dozen of the outdoor industry's most innovative products and technologies will be on display on the show floor at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. Outdoor Retailer yesterday released the list of 32 finalists of the Innovation Awards, recognizing design, innovation, ...read more
LEKI doesn't want to be associated with Walmart either. The skiing and trekking pole maker today announced that it has withdrawn its products from the big box discounter's premium outdoor store curated by Moosejaw. The brand is the fourth we've confirmed to drop out behind ...read more
Hikers who use trekking poles swear they save their knees and improve their balance. Nowadays, poles are lighter, more compact and durable, and molded to fit gender-specific hands. If trekking poles are part of your hiking kit, which brand do you like best? ...read more
Black Diamond Equipment today sent a cease and desist notice to Walmart, in response to the giant retailer's launch of a new premium outdoor store curated by Moosejaw. “We did not see or approve the statement which Walmart released Monday and have never sold to Walmart,” said ...read more
When recreationists shop for outdoor gear, the sustainability of a product—from farm to factory to shelf—is becoming as important as the quality. The majority of U.S. consumers expect companies to act on social and environmental issues, and outdoor brands are moving that needle, ...read more
Back in the 1970s, climbing harnesses were nothing more than a few straps. Now, buyers consider the weight, material, number of gear loops, durability, and so on. Our friends at Climbing Magazine put together a little history on the essential piece of gear. Vote now for the brand ...read more
On a snowy day, back in February 2012, Dr. Gary Selwyn was busy in his kitchen in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He wasn’t fixing up a stew. Instead, he was blending hydrocarbon-based monomers, cross-linkers and polymerization initiators. The chemist, formerly at Los Alamos National ...read more
For many of us, camping during our childhoods fueled our pursuits of careers in the outdoors. But for many others, those precious times spent huddled in tents with our families were less frequent, if trips to the campgrounds happened at all. To give first time campers a positive ...read more
Maybe you've heard of Norrøna, but it's probably not your first choice when it comes to outdoor apparel. At least not yet. The Norwegian brand is in its 90th year of making technical outerwear for a wide range of mountain athletes—from polar explorers to downhill mountain ...read more
Presented by Black Diamond, Climbing Out of Disaster is a compelling 8-minute film about how a climbing guide from Puerto Rico helps his community in the wake of Hurricane Maria in September 2017. Bryant Huffman—a 39-year-old climbing guide from Cupey, Puerto Rico—along with his ...read more
How good of an investment is the outdoor and recreation industry on Wall Street? A SNEWS analysis shows the sector has outpaced broader market indices such as the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average with healthy gains during the past five years, albeit still lagging behind ...read more
When the sun goes down and the stars come out, a headlamp is essential to your camping and backpacking kit. These nine brands have come out with new and improved versions that are brighter, lighter, and more battery efficient, helping you either wash dishes and clean up camp or ...read more
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve checked and double checked that all the leg loops and straps of my harness were untangled and untwisted, only to pull it on and realize that was not the case. Yeah, I’m that climber. For me, simplicity is as important as comfort. I’ve been ...read more
Black Diamond Equipment’s parent company is expanding in Utah over the next decade, adding high-paying jobs and nearly $50 million in value, according to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED). Needless to say, the growth of Clarus Corporation bodes well for Utah in ...read more
Don't go a day without reading Industry Buzz or you might miss something. Here are today's top headlines: #ClimbTheHill: The American Alpine Club (AAC) and Access Fund teamed up this week in Washington D.C. for the third annual campaign to meet with law makers and advocate for ...read more
Start your week off right with Industry Buzz. Here are today's top headlines: Have a news tip? We've created a new form where you can submit tips and story ideas. We'll be checking it often to ensure we don't miss anything. Everest update: Mountaineers Willie Benegas and Matt ...read more
Whether you hit the rock climbing gym every once in a while or you're constantly rushing out of work to get in as many routes at the local crag before the sun goes down, we know you have a favorite pair of shoes. Some brands have been cobbling for decades and others are new to ...read more
When Backcountry Hunters & Anglers President Land Tawney reflects on the history of land and wildlife preservation in the U.S., he notes how great things have been accomplished during times of darkness. In the early 1900’s market killers were wiping out big game to put food on ...read more
One of Diana Seung’s favorite pieces in the new Backcountry.com line is a pair of knickers, light enough to fit under a ski bib but designed to keep women warm all day in the mountains. It was such a hit, men wanted them too, she said. Seung, the executive vice president of ...read more
As one of the biggest ticket items in your kit, a good tent is a serious investment. And, it’s your home-away-from-home, so it's also a wicked important decision. There are a ton of great brands out there, but we want to know: Which tent brand is your favorite? Vote now to see ...read more