Black Diamond

Black Diamond now also produces winter sports clothing. The Vapor Point Shell jacket immediately wins "Gear of the Week" status, and not just because it is a lightweight for stormy times...

In recent years, Black Diamond has spared no effort to catch up with the big names in ski construction. As is well known, the American company opened its own ski factory in China in 2012. The factory attempts to combine modern ski construction with the demands of sustainability. A large proportion of the electricity consumed is generated by solar power. In addition, all skis are pressed with prepreg fabric (glass fiber layers pre-impregnated with epoxy resin and hardener, the hardening of which is prevented by deep-freezing). This avoids superfluous synthetic resin and at the same time increases process reliability. Most skis are now also fitted with an ABS sidewall.

With the Factor MX, Black Diamond has completely redesigned its established freeride ski boot. The combination of the Triax Pro shell with the MX Dircet Connect connection technology between the shell and interchangeable soles and the FMx Power Liner inner boot is intended to improve both the downhill characteristics and the ascent.

As every year, PowderGuide once again reports on the new products from the PG partners at ISPO 2014. The first two parts dealt with detailed ski mountaineering pants, light and heavy down clothing, various PinTech bindings, backpacks and ski clothing for ski touring, all-round touring skis, sustainable insulation jackets, adapted ski clothing, functional ice screws and intelligent ski goggles. The third part features the new highlights from Scott, Suunto, skiFi, Freeride Maps and Black Diamond. Enjoy reading and look forward to your next winter shopping trip!

One focus of ISPO reporting this year is, of course, the development of the market for safety and emergency equipment. The most important part of our multi-part ISPO special comes at the end: Here you'll find what's new in safety equipment.

The PG team has also explored the fashion facets of the world's biggest sporting goods fair for you. It goes without saying that the style factor naturally carries much more weight here than in other areas. Nevertheless, we also focused on function when it came to clothing. To cut a long story short: here you'll find the latest clothing innovations that won't let you down off the slopes and in the park and, ideally, will also make you look good.

The avalanche airbag market is booming like no other sector in winter sports. Almost every renowned manufacturer of winter sports equipment now offers an avalanche backpack. The established systems from last winter from Mammut/Snowpulse, ABS and BCA will be joined by two new systems from Black Diamond and Scott from fall 2014. Both seek to offer innovative solutions to the well-known problem of transporting cartridges during air travel. Black Diamond's system in particular is arousing great interest with its innovative turbine technology. Scott is setting the bar pretty high, especially in terms of weight and price.

The Black Diamond Expedition Ski Poles are first-class all-round poles. These telescopic poles made of aluminum combine functionality, robustness and weight in a balanced way. An all-round talent for any backcountry adventure.

Black Diamond is known for its wide range of climbing skins. A number of innovations were introduced in the Ascension Skin series for winter 2012/2013. The main focus was on the adhesive properties and weight. We tested the GlideLite Mohair Mix STS climbing skin throughout the season in a wide range of conditions.

Ski poles with a small, integrated ice axe pick are rare in this country. But they certainly have their uses.

PowderGuide, as a long-standing partner of Black Diamond, had the opportunity to test some of next year's ski models on various occasions.

Gloves are a matter of taste. Nevertheless, some are more convincing than others. We tell you how the Super Rambla from Black Diamond performs.