Brand · United States
Black Diamond
A climbing-hardware brand whose apparel range concentrates on alpine and ski-touring shells built on its BD.dry platform.
Background
Black Diamond dates to the 1989 takeover of Chouinard Equipment by Peter Metcalf, Maria Cranor and employees, with roots in the predecessor's 1965 ethos; based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
What to check before buying
Editorial buying guidance, not a brand rating
For climbing and mountain use, movement and equipment compatibility are central to the buying decision. Check the hood over your helmet, the hem under a harness and the pockets with your equipment in place. Waterproof construction should be assessed alongside those practical features rather than treated as the whole specification.
For the general method, see how to choose a waterproof jacket and waterproof ratings explained.
Brand facts
Published company information
- Country of origin
- United States
- Founded
- 1989
- Price range
- Mid to premium
- Jacket families
- Fineline, Highline, Recon
- Warranty
- North America: practical product lifetime against manufacturing defects, original purchaser. Europe: two years from purchase or delivery. Australia: practical product lifetime under the manufacturer warranty, with separate statutory consumer-law rights. Verified regional differences.
- Repair programme
- REROUTE Repair Services offers patches for ski jackets and other repairs, plus DIY guides and spare parts; repairs may be possible regardless of warranty period.
- Sustainability
- See the brand's current material and supply-chain disclosures; verify claims per garment.
WaterproofJacket.com assessment
Our editorial view of the brand
Strengths
- BD.dry proprietary waterproof platform across rain, alpine and ski shells
- REROUTE repair service offers patches and other repairs plus DIY guides
Weaknesses
- Warranty differs sharply by region: practical lifetime in North America, two years in Europe
- GORE-TEX appears in gloves, not evidence that BD jackets use it
Sources
- officialBlack Diamond heritage
- officialBlack Diamond warranty and repairs (NA)
- officialBlack Diamond warranty (EU)