Black Diamond Equipment is a leading manufacturer of equipment for climbing, skiing, and mountain sports. Black Diamond's history dates back to the late 1950s when climber Yvon Chouinard began hand-forging pitons and selling them from his car in Yosemite Valley.
Black Diamond Climbing Products
Black Diamond designs and manufactures such a wide range of products for climbing, skiing, and mountain sports. But since we're focused on climbing, here's some of their climbing products:
- Carabiners: Black Diamond offers a variety of carabiners, including the innovative Magnetron carabiners, which use magnets in the gate for auto-locking and added security.
- Quickdraws: Quickdraws are essential for sport climbing, and Black Diamond provides a range of options to suit different climbers' needs.
- Harnesses: Black Diamond harnesses are designed for comfort and performance, catering to both gym climbers and those tackling multi-pitch routes.
- Climbing Protection: The company offers active and passive climbing protection, including their renowned Camalot spring-loaded camming devices.
- Belay Devices: Black Diamond's belay devices, such as the ATC Guide, are versatile and reliable, ensuring a safe climbing experience.
- Helmets: Black Diamond helmets provide essential protection for climbers, with options suitable for various climbing disciplines.
- Ice Tools and Crampons: For ice climbing and mountaineering, Black Diamond produces ice tools, piolets, and crampons.
- Climbing Shoes: Black Diamond's climbing shoes are designed for performance and comfort, with options for different climbing styles and abilities.
In addition to climbing gear, Black Diamond also produces skiing and avalanche safety equipment, as well as mountain products like tents, lighting, trekking poles, and backpacks.
Black Diamond Camalot Devices
Black Diamond Camalots are a staple in the world of trad climbing. These cam devices, invented by Ray Jardine in the 1970s and later refined by Black Diamond, have revolutionized the way climbers protect themselves on the wall.
What sets Camalots apart is their double-axle design, which allows for a wider range of placement options and a more secure hold in the rock. The units are color-coded by size, making it easy for climbers to quickly identify the right cam for the job.
Highlights of the Black Diamond Camalots
- Black Diamond Camalots are the most used camming devices in the world.
- The Camalots have undergone a redesign, making them 10% lighter than the original version.
- The new Camalots feature dimples and grooves in the gums for better holding power in less-than-perfect cracks.
- The trigger has been made more ergonomic for easier use.
- The larger Camalots (sizes 4, 5, and 6) have trigger retainers, making them easier to rack and less likely to get in the way.
"I've taken some pretty big whippers on Camalots, and they've never let me down. They're my go-to piece of gear for trad climbing." - Nick Flock
Black Diamond's ATC-Guide Belay Device
The Black Diamond ATC-Guide is a versatile belay device that can handle a wide range of climbing situations. Its unique design allows it to function as both a standard tube-style device for belaying and a guide mode device for bringing up one or two seconding climbers.
One of the key features of the ATC-Guide is its high friction mode, which provides extra stopping power when catching falls or lowering heavy climbers. This is especially useful in situations where the belayer may be significantly lighter than the climber.
Compared to other popular belay devices like the Petzl GriGri or the Trango Cinch, the ATC-Guide offers a more traditional feel and greater versatility. It's also lighter and more compact, making it a great choice for multi-pitch climbs or long routes where weight is a concern.
Highlights of the Black Diamond ATC-Guide Belay Device:
- Multiple friction modes for belay and rappel
- Updated construction makes the device 10% lighter with improved rope handling
- Auto-block release hole accepts small carabiners
- Versatile design accepts ropes from 8.1 to 11 mm
- Durable cable holds its shape and resists getting caught up
- Ability to belay seconding climbers directly off the anchor on multi-pitch climbs, conveniently "auto-blocking" to catch their falls
- Works well with thicker ropes (9.5-11.0 mm) and creates less friction for the belayer in auto-block mode
When using the ATC-Guide, it's important to remember a few key tips:
- Always keep your brake hand on the rope
- Be mindful of the orientation of the device when belaying or rappelling
- Use the high friction mode when necessary, but don't rely on it as a substitute for proper technique
Black Diamond Momentum Shoes
The Black Diamond Momentum Shoes have quickly become a favorite among climbers of all levels, from beginners to seasoned veterans. These shoes strike a perfect balance between comfort and performance, making them suitable for a wide range of climbing styles.
The Momentum Shoes are available in both lace-up and velcro strap versions, allowing climbers to choose the closure system that best suits their preferences. The velcro version is particularly popular among boulderers and sport climbers who value the ability to take their shoes on and off quickly between attempts.
Highlights of the Black Diamond Momentum Climbing Shoes
- One of the most popular pairs of climbing shoes available
- Neutral, flat last for vertical climbing or all-day comfort
- Women’s specific last provides customized fit
- Two Velcro straps for fit adjustability
- 4.3mm rubber is built for durability and molded for optimal consistency and performance
- Soft flex midsole for added sensitivity and comfort
- Materials in entire shoe are completely vegan
- Updated knit with softer lining provides exceptional breathability and improved comfort
- On our list of the best rock climbing shoes for beginners
Black Diamond Momentum Climbing Harness
The Black Diamond Momentum Harness is a popular choice among climbers looking for a comfortable, adjustable, and affordable harness. Its design prioritizes all-day comfort, making it ideal for long routes or extended sessions at the crag.
One of the key features of the Momentum Harness is its Dual Core Construction, which distributes weight evenly across the waist and legs. This helps to prevent pressure points and ensures a comfortable fit, even when hanging in the harness for extended periods.
Highlights of the Black Diamond Momentum Harness
- Four gear loops for carrying climbing equipment
- trakFIT-adjustable leg loops for easy customization and a secure fit
- Ultra-comfortable waistbelt with Dual Core Construction for maximum breathability and load distribution
- Pre-threaded Speed Adjust waistbelt buckle for quick and easy adjustment
- Adjustable rear elastic riser for added versatility
- Four pressure-molded gear loops for easy gear organization
- Haul loop for added convenience
- 2 Year Warranty for peace of mind
- Made our list of the best beginner's climbing harnesses
The Momentum Harness comes in men's, women's, and kids' versions, each tailored to the specific anatomical needs of the user. The women's version, for example, features a longer rise to accommodate wider hips and a higher waist.
Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
A reliable headlamp is an essential piece of gear for any climber, and the Black Diamond Spot Headlamp is a popular choice among climbers for its lightweight and powerful performance. Weighing only 86g, the Spot Headlamp is easy to carry and attach to a climbing helmet. It is powered by 3 AAA batteries and provides a maximum output of 325 lumens, making it suitable for various climbing conditions, including pre-dawn wake-up calls and all-night pushes.
The Spot Headlamp features a redesigned housing that improves water resistance and durability. It also has a PowerTap technology that allows for quick and easy brightness adjustments. The headlamp's settings include full strength, dimming, strobe, red night vision, and lock mode. The Spot Headlamp also has a three-level power meter that shows the remaining battery life.
Highlights of Black Diamond's Spot Headlamp
- Lightweight and compact, weighing only 86g.
- Powerful performance with a maximum output of 325 lumens.
- Powered by 3 AAA batteries.
- Redesigned housing for improved water resistance and durability.
- PowerTap technology for quick and easy brightness adjustments.
- Multiple settings, including full strength, dimming, strobe, red night vision, and lock mode.
- Three-level power meter to show remaining battery life.
Compared to other popular climbing headlamps like the Petzl Actik Core or the Biolite 330, the Spot offers a superior balance of brightness, battery life, and durability. Its compact design also makes it easy to stow in a pocket or clip to a harness when not in use.
Black Diamond Neutrino Carabiner
The Black Diamond Neutrino Carabiner is a lightweight, durable, and versatile carabiner that is well-suited for a variety of climbing applications. Weighing in at just 36 grams (1.27 ounces), the Neutrino is one of the lightest full-size carabiners on the market.
Despite its lightweight design, the Neutrino has an impressive strength rating of 24 kN (5395 lbf) along the major axis. This makes it more than capable of handling the demands of even the most challenging climbs.
The Neutrino is available with three different gate options: straight, bent, and wire. The straight gate version is ideal for all-around use, while the bent gate provides easier clipping and unclipping. The wire gate version, on the other hand, is even lighter and less prone to icing up in cold conditions.
Highlights of the Black Diamond Neutrino Carabiner
- Lightweight design for easy carrying on climbs
- Durable construction for long-lasting use
- Keylock nose prevents snagging on gear and slings
- Wiregate version available for reduced weight and increased security
- Large rope-bearing surface for smooth rope handling
- I-Beam construction for optimal strength-to-weight ratio
- Available in multiple colors for easy identification and organization
Black Diamond Climbing Gear
Investing in reliable, well-crafted gear is essential for any climber looking to push their limits safely and efficiently. By choosing Black Diamond, you can rest assured that you're getting some of the best climbing equipment on the market.
Want to look into more climbing brands? Check out our guide of the best La Sportiva climbing shoes:
