Black Diamond Equipment^®, a global innovator in climbing, skiing, mountain sports equipment and apparel, introduces three brand initiatives for Fall 2016: the Helio series, equipment and apparel for technical ski mountaineering, the launch of Project, equipment and apparel for the growing population of gym climbers and a focus on versatile insulation with its new First Light Hoody.

“Helio represents Black Diamond’s curated pinnacle ski mountaineering collection,” explains Niclas Bornling, vice president of marketing at Black Diamond Equipment. “It incorporates the most advanced materials into innovative designs for skiers looking to push the limits. Going lighter, faster, stronger with gear they can count on.”

Highlights from the Helio Collection include the new versatile Helio 105 ski, featuring a pre-preg carbon fiber layup that makes it extremely light with a balanced flex and supreme edge control. Other key products from the collection include the Helio Shell, Black Diamond’s lightest GORE-TEX® jacket to date, with GORE-TEX® C-Knit™ backer, unrivalled packability and soft-to-touch construction that increases comfort on missions where luxury is typically sacrificed. Inspired by Black Diamond’s climbing packs, the new Cirque 35 ski pack is an ultralight ski pack with all the of the features needed for technical alpine objectives in a clean and simple design. Also new for the season, the Couloir harness gets upgraded with compact Fusion Comfort Construction, a Speed buckle, shedding 16g from its original design. Lastly, Helio fixed length ski poles are built with 100% inflation-molded carbon fiber for the ultimate combination of strength and lightweight performance.

Embracing a new growing urban demographic in the sport that is discovering climbing through the gym, Black Diamond’s Project Collection addresses the climbing lifestyle, from training to travel to top-out. Built with a selection of natural cotton and technical synthetic products, these pieces deliver performance, comfort and style both on and off the wall. Essential pieces for both men and women include the new Boulder Hoody and Credo Pants and Shorts. The Boulder Hoody is designed for chilly days and blends the perfect amount of Dri-Release wool and stylish features while the Credo is purpose-built from durable and stretch cotton twill that moves with you.

Bornling explains, “Our Project Collection brings to the gym Black Diamond’s philosophy of Forge Yourself: making yourself better through climbing.”  

The Project Collection also encompasses equipment composed of clean, streamlined designs stripped of excess that embodies the true mountain roots of the Black Diamond brand. Products assorted for the Project Collection include the Solution harness, GridLock Magnetron, Stone Duffel 42 pack, the ATC belay device and Mojo chalk bags.

The cornerstone of Black Diamond’s Fall 2016 apparel line, the First Light Hoody, is an addition to its insulated apparel category designed with versatility in mind. Covering everything from first tracks to first ascents, making it the quintessential jacket for movement up and down the mountains or even missions around town, the First Light Hoody is Black Diamond’s solution for high output, start-and-stop activities in cold weather where versatile insulation is key. Features include migration-resistant PrimaLoft® Silver and stretch Schoeller® face fabric adding both durability and breathability.

Here are additional new product highlights from Black Diamond for Fall’16:

·      The Storm headlamp, outfitted with a sealed, waterproof housing and Black Diamond’s PowerTap technology, will offer a sleek housing design, and increases from 160 to 250 lumens of power featuring both red/green night vision modes.

·      The PIEPS Micro avalanche beacon, perhaps the smallest and lightest three-antenna beacon on the market, will feature patented sensor technology and wireless device management.

·      Touring Series ski poles featuring SwitchRelease™ breakaway strap technology. 

·      GlideLite mohair/nylon mix skins featuring a redesigned construction offering 20 percent weight savings and a new innovative, lightweight tip loop system.

“Black Diamond continues to be a company of makers,” says Mark Ritchie, president of Black Diamond Equipment. “Whether it’s our First Light Hoody, Helio Shell, Helio skis, Cirque ski packs or a piece from the Project collection, our 2016 Fall/Winter product offerings are a holistic collection of tools made for climbers, backcountry skiers and ski mountaineers whose passion is intrinsically integrated into every aspect of daily life.”

Black Diamond Equipment’s Fall 2016 collections will be on display at booth #6009 at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City, Utah, from January 7-10, and at booth #XX-XXXX at ISPO Munich from January 24-27, 2016.

Black Diamond Equipment is a manufacturer of equipment and clothing for climbing, skiing and mountain sports. By consistently building innovative, standard-setting products and actively preserving the mountain/canyon environment, Black Diamond Equipment has assumed a leadership role in the international outdoor community. For more information on Black Diamond Equipment, visit BlackDiamondEquipment.com