Black Diamond Equipment
American outdoor-equipment brand specializing in climbing, skiing, mountaineering, and mountain-safety gear.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Black Diamond Equipment is an American outdoor-equipment brand focused on climbing, skiing, mountaineering, and related mountain sports. Its product range covers technical safety equipment, apparel and accessories, lighting, trekking equipment, shelters, packs, and avalanche-safety tools. The brand is particularly associated with climbing protection, carabiners, ice tools, crampons, climbing skins, ski equipment, and the Camalot family of spring-loaded camming devices. The brand's roots extend to the late 1950s, when climber and craftsman Yvon Chouinard began hand-forging pitons and selling them from his vehicle in Yosemite Valley. The resulting business became Chouinard Equipment Ltd., whose hardware developed a strong reputation among climbers. In the early 1980s, however, the company faced product-liability litigation and continuing profitability problems. Chouinard Equipment entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1989. On December 1 of that year, a group of former employees led by Peter Metcalf, together with outside investors, purchased the company's assets and established Black Diamond. The new company moved its operations from Ventura, California, to the Salt Lake City area in 1991. The location provided proximity to the Wasatch Mountains and to a major base of climbing, skiing, and mountaineering talent. Black Diamond subsequently broadened its distribution and manufacturing footprint. A European organization was established in Switzerland in 1996, while an Asian operation in Zhuhai, China, was established in 2006 as a manufacturing and distribution hub. The company also expanded through product and brand acquisitions, including Bibler tents, Franklin climbing products, and Ascension climbing skins. Gregory Mountain Products was acquired in 2010 and sold to Samsonite in 2014. Clarus Corporation acquired Black Diamond in May 2010 in a transaction reported at $90 million. Clarus, which also owns or has owned other outdoor and sporting brands, is publicly traded on Nasdaq under the symbol CLAR. Black Diamond remains one of Clarus's principal outdoor brands, operating internationally with a global office in Innsbruck, Austria, in addition to its Utah base. The company's portfolio combines equipment used by professional and recreational climbers, ski mountaineers, alpinists, hikers, and backcountry travelers. Its products are generally positioned toward technical performance, durability, and safety rather than mass-market price competition. The brand has also emphasized manufacturing development, sustainability initiatives, and material traceability. In 2024, UL Solutions certified the use of recycled aluminum in several Black Diamond product lines. Black Diamond has faced the kinds of safety and liability issues common to manufacturers of climbing and mountain equipment, including product recalls. It also became involved in a wider public debate in 2020 concerning Clarus executive chairman Warren Kanders, whose separate company Safariland supplied crowd-control products. In response to protests against police violence, Black Diamond pledged $250,000 to improve outdoor access for athletes of color, while acknowledging concerns about its corporate association with Kanders. Safariland announced the divestiture of its crowd-control products divisions shortly afterward. Black Diamond continues to operate as an active global technical-outdoor brand.
History
Black Diamond's history began with Yvon Chouinard's late-1950s production of hand-forged climbing pitons. Chouinard sold the hardware directly to climbers, including from the trunk of his car in Yosemite Valley. The quality and reputation of the pitons led to the creation of Chouinard Equipment Ltd. in Ventura, California. The company became an influential supplier of climbing hardware and later expanded its technical product range. By the early 1980s, Chouinard Equipment faced serious financial pressure. Product-liability lawsuits, together with an ongoing lack of profitability, contributed to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in early 1989. On December 1, 1989, former employees led by Peter Metcalf, supported by outside investors, purchased the company's assets and formed Black Diamond. The new organization retained technical expertise from the predecessor business while developing a new corporate identity and broader product strategy. In September 1991, Metcalf moved the company and its workforce from Ventura to the Salt Lake City area. Utah offered direct access to the Wasatch Mountains and a strong community of climbers, skiers, and other mountain athletes. Black Diamond expanded internationally during the following decade. Black Diamond Equipment Europe was established in Reinach, Switzerland, in 1996, and Black Diamond Equipment Asia was established in Zhuhai, China, in 2006. The Asian operation served both manufacturing and global distribution functions. In 2016, the company announced plans to move its European headquarters from Reinach to Innsbruck, Austria. The product portfolio grew through acquisitions and integration of specialist businesses. Bibler tents were added in 1997, Franklin climbing products in 1998, and Ascension climbing skins in 1999. Black Diamond also acquired Gregory Mountain Products in 2010, adding a major backpack business, but sold Gregory to Samsonite in 2014. These transactions illustrate the brand's effort to broaden its outdoor offering while retaining a technical focus. Clarus Corporation acquired Black Diamond in May 2010 for a reported $90 million. The acquisition placed Black Diamond within a publicly traded parent whose portfolio has included other outdoor and sporting businesses. The brand continued to operate from Utah and internationally, with its products sold across global markets. Black Diamond's principal categories include climbing hardware, active and passive protection, carabiners, quickdraws, harnesses, helmets, belay devices, ice tools, crampons, ice screws, bouldering pads, ski equipment, avalanche tools, tents, lighting, trekking poles, and backpacks. The Camalot line became one of its best-known product families. Magnetron carabiners use a magnetic gate-locking concept and incorporate a steel insert in the nose for additional security. As a maker of life-safety and load-bearing equipment, Black Diamond has issued product recalls when safety concerns were identified. The company has also participated in environmental and social initiatives, including waste reduction, renewable-energy use, and support for environmental organizations. In 2024, UL Solutions provided third-party certification related to recycled aluminum in several product lines. In 2020, the brand became part of a public controversy involving Clarus executive chairman Warren Kanders. Safariland, another company led by Kanders, had manufactured tear gas used during protests. Black Diamond acknowledged concerns about its association with Kanders after posting a statement in solidarity with protesters and committing $250,000 to support outdoor access for athletes of color. Climbing organizations and activists called for boycotts. Safariland announced the sale of its crowd-control products divisions on June 9, 2020. Clarus shareholders nevertheless re-elected Kanders and other board members later that month. Black Diamond remains an active international brand centered on technical mountain equipment.
- 2024
Recycled-aluminum certification
[1]UL Solutions certified the use of recycled aluminum in several Black Diamond product lines.
- 2016
European headquarters relocation announced
[1]Black Diamond announced the planned relocation of its European headquarters from Reinach to Innsbruck, Austria.
- 2014
Gregory Mountain Products sold
[1]Clarus sold Gregory Mountain Products to Samsonite after Black Diamond had expanded into backpacks through the acquisition.
- 2010
Clarus Corporation acquisition
[1]Clarus Corporation acquired Black Diamond and incorporated it into its publicly traded portfolio.
- 2006
Asian manufacturing and distribution operation established
[1]Black Diamond Equipment Asia was established in Zhuhai, China, serving manufacturing and global distribution functions.
- 1999
Ascension climbing skins integrated
[1]Black Diamond expanded its ski-mountaineering portfolio through the addition of Ascension climbing skins.
- 1998
Franklin climbing products integrated
[1]Franklin climbing products became part of the brand's broader climbing offering.
- 1997
Bibler tents integrated
[1]Black Diamond added Bibler tents to its outdoor product portfolio.
- 1996
European organization established
[1]Black Diamond Equipment Europe was established in Reinach, Switzerland.
- 1991
Operations move to Utah
[1]The company moved from Ventura to the Salt Lake City area, positioning itself near the Wasatch Mountains.
Products and positioning
A premium technical outdoor-equipment brand emphasizing performance, durability, innovation, and safety for climbing, skiing, mountaineering, and mountain travel.
Climbing protection
Camalot
Camalot is Black Diamond's family of spring-loaded camming devices for placing removable protection in cracks. The range is closely associated with the brand's technical climbing heritage and is used in traditional climbing, alpine routes, and big-wall climbing. Its purpose is to provide temporary, retrievable protection rather than permanent anchors.
Climbing hardware
Magnetron carabiners
Magnetron carabiners are locking carabiners that use magnets in the gate mechanism. The design is intended to provide convenient automatic or assisted locking while preserving the handling characteristics required for belaying, anchoring, and other climbing applications. Some versions use a steel insert in the carabiner nose for added security.
Climbing equipment
Climbing protection and hardware
Black Diamond produces a broad climbing-hardware portfolio including carabiners, quickdraws, active and passive protection, harnesses, helmets, belay devices, bouldering pads, and equipment for big-wall routes. These products serve sport, traditional, indoor, alpine, and expedition climbing uses.
Mountaineering equipment
Ice tools, crampons, and ice screws
The brand's mountaineering range includes ice tools and piolets, crampons, and ice screws for glacier travel, ice climbing, mixed climbing, and alpine objectives. These products are designed around traction, swing performance, secure attachment, and use in demanding cold-weather environments.
Skiing and mountain safety
Ski and avalanche equipment
Black Diamond makes equipment for skiing and ski mountaineering, including climbing skins and related backcountry products. Its mountain-safety portfolio also includes avalanche equipment intended to support preparation, rescue, and risk management in winter terrain.
Outdoor lighting
Headlamps and lighting
Black Diamond's lighting products are designed for climbing, hiking, camping, ski touring, and general outdoor use. Headlamps form a recognizable part of the brand's broader mountain-product portfolio, extending its expertise beyond load-bearing and climbing hardware.
Outdoor equipment
Tents, shelters, trekking poles, and backpacks
The company also offers non-hardware mountain products such as tents and shelters, trekking poles, and backpacks. These categories broaden Black Diamond's offering for climbers, hikers, skiers, and expedition users while retaining the brand's technical-outdoor positioning.
Controversies
2020
Association with Warren Kanders and Safariland
Black Diamond faced criticism because its parent company was led by Warren Kanders, whose separate company Safariland manufactured tear gas used during protests. Activists and climbing organizations called for boycotts and questioned the brand's corporate association. Black Diamond acknowledged the concerns while announcing support for outdoor access for athletes of color.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Outdoor access for athletes of color
United States
In solidarity with protests against police violence, Black Diamond published a statement and pledged $250,000 to support access to outdoor recreation for athletes of color.
Outcome. The initiative was accompanied by public discussion and boycott calls concerning the brand's relationship with Clarus executive chairman Warren Kanders. Safariland subsequently announced the divestiture of its crowd-control products divisions.
Brand decisions
2024
Obtain recycled-aluminum certificationOtherBackground
Black Diamond has promoted resource efficiency and material-related sustainability initiatives.
Action taken
UL Solutions provided third-party certification verifying recycled aluminum in several product lines.
Aftermath
The certification provided external validation for the specified material claims.
2014
Divest Gregory Mountain ProductsM&ABackground
Clarus had acquired Gregory Mountain Products in 2010 as part of an expansion into backpacks.
Action taken
Gregory Mountain Products was sold to Samsonite.
Aftermath
The transaction narrowed the portfolio associated with Black Diamond and Clarus around their remaining outdoor and sporting brands.
2010
Sell Black Diamond to Clarus CorporationM&ABackground
Black Diamond had developed into an international climbing and mountain-sports equipment company.
Action taken
Clarus Corporation acquired the company in May 2010 in a transaction reported at $90 million.
Aftermath
Black Diamond became a major brand within Clarus's publicly traded portfolio.
Reported acquisition price. $90 million (May 2010)
1989
Reconstitute the business as Black DiamondStrategyBackground
Chouinard Equipment entered Chapter 11 after product-liability lawsuits and continuing profitability problems.
Action taken
Former employees led by Peter Metcalf and outside investors purchased the assets and established Black Diamond on December 1, 1989.
Aftermath
The new company preserved technical climbing expertise while developing a separate brand and later expanding internationally.
Recent events
- 2024
UL Solutions verifies recycled aluminum in selected Black Diamond products[1]
Other
Black Diamond received third-party certification from UL Solutions concerning the use of recycled aluminum in several product lines.
- 2010
Clarus Corporation acquires Black Diamond Equipment[1]
M&A
Clarus Corporation acquired Black Diamond in a transaction reported at $90 million and subsequently operated the brand within its publicly traded portfolio.
- 1991
Black Diamond relocates operations to Utah[1]
Other
The company moved from Ventura, California, to the Salt Lake City area to be closer to the Wasatch Mountains and the region's climbing and skiing communities.
- 1989
Black Diamond assets acquired and new company established[1]
M&A · Other
Former Chouinard Equipment employees led by Peter Metcalf and outside investors acquired the assets of the bankrupt company and established Black Diamond.
Sources3 sources
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